Regardless of what your birthing experience was like and how you’re feeling physically in the days or weeks after, you need to focus on healing and recovery from birth.
Wouldn’t you do the same if you trained for a marathon? The human body undergoes so many physical, hormonal, and psychological changes during pregnancy and birth, I implore you to do the work to bring it back to homeostasis - the body needs to return to balance.
If we don’t help guide our bodies and minds on the road to recovery, it can impact the ability to thrive and flourish in the months to come. Let me share a few tiny things you can do for yourself to facilitate healing even if your supporting village is small or non-existent. Be sure to confirm with your healthcare provider these are all acceptable based on your own personal health status.
a good ol’ Sitz bath
What’s a Sitz bath? A lot of people don’t actually know what this is or what it can do for the body. It’s a simple remedy, tried and true - a warm bath focused on the perineal area. There are many approaches, but I’ll begin with those that have a bathtub at home. Fill it to about 1-2 inches of very warm water (test it out first as everyone’s tolerance for heat varies). Don’t have the water go any higher as you’ll not want it to get into your uterus since your cervix is still open, and the uterus is still healing from birth. Some folks do otherwise, and I’m sure you may have heard of postpartum herbal baths immediately after delivery, but follow the guidance from your midwives or OB/GYN.
I also love adding just herbs in the beginning of postpartum in case you have any tears, stitches, or scratches from delivery. After those are all healed (probably around 6 weeks), feel free to start adding that epsom salt. Sit in this bath for 10-15 minutes, get out before the water gets lukewarm or cold. If you don’t have a bathtub, a collapsible baby bath will suffice - or a bin large enough for you to comfortably submerge your perineal area (again 1-2 inches deep).
a lazy pedicure
Now, you’re probably not ready to leave your home to go to the nail salon right after baby - or you might be. But, you can do a simple foot soak at home. This can help with soothing swelling that you may be experiencing, or just the aches of motherhood. We forget about our feet so often in life, but that’s what keeps us grounded to the Earth. Feet are what take us everywhere in life. They do a lot of work during pregnancy, carrying extra weight. Let us not neglect them.
I don’t really love plastic bins, but they are an option. Try to opt for an enamel water basin, fill with really warm water (that you’re able to tolerate). Add epsom salt, herbs, coconut milk powder, and even collagen powder. It's generally relaxing, and you can do it while simultaneously bonding with the baby.Could be a good time to pump too. Hang out here for about 30-45 minutes.
just open the blinds
Postpartum can bring about some scary emotions and feelings, and you may be unable to go outside or you simply have postpartum anxiety and aren’t ready. Open the blinds as soon as the sun rises in the morning and stand in the sunlight for at least 5 minutes. Not only can sunlight strongly impact your emotional health, it can help your newborn if they’re suffering from jaundice.
hold the womb
Let me put into perspective why Bengkung Bellybinding (wrapping) is a must for my clients. Take all the “snapback” images out of your mind. I applaud those women for their superhuman achievements, I will not take that away from them. I am encouraging you to accept this new body - the one that conceived, safely carried and delivered, and is now nourishing a life (whether you’re breastfeeding/chestfeeding/formula feeding).
Let’s remove the aesthetic component here and just focus on helping bring the womb, your core, abdominal muscles, rib cage, lungs, heart, intestines, into a safe space within your new body. The Bengkung Bellybing technique can facilitate this.
What does your core feel like after birth? A whoopee cushion or deflated balloon. It’s been stretched and under the tension and weight of your baby for so long. It needs to feel like it’s got a hug! This ancient tradition of belly binding leverages the Relaxin hormone that’s still in your body to do just that. And this wrapping technique you can do on yourself!
There is a lot going on postpartum and I don’t expect everyone who just had a baby to be able to do all of these things everyday, but I definitely will encourage at least one of these a day, except the bellybinding which should be done everyday for the 42 days postpartum and before month 5 is over (since this is about when all the Relaxin hormone finally leaves your body). You can’t pour from a cup that’s empty, and while some of these may seem trivial or non-earth shattering, these small comforts have a significant impact on the mind and spirit. You can always reach out to me for more information if you’d like to experience these things in your postpartum journey!