My quest to understand the logic behind the do's and don'ts during my post natal period led me into researching about Ayurveda and here is what I found:
Most women these days are able to trace thier illnesses back to their post natal period. If the mother develops any disease during the post partum phase, the new born gets affected directly. Hence post natal care is specifically important for both the mother and the baby.
According to Ayurveda, vata, Agni and kapha elements are present in human body. So long as these three elements are in balance our body remains healthy. Post delivery this balance typically tends to get disturbed warranting additional care to the new mother as in most cases, vata is vitiated, Agni is at low ebb and kapha needs to be maintained.
While vata (air) increases in the body during the delivery and more so for ceaserean sections (when the abdomen is opened a lot of air goes into the body) it has to get back to it's natural state of balance postpartum so the mother can recover fully from
the birth and regain her health.
New mothers are therefore advised to keep their ears covered so the air outside doesn't get into the body. This is specifically important in cold climates as it also helps in preventing colds.
Maintaining the body on heat by avoiding cold food/ drinks, wearing footwear even while walking indoors helps prevent colds. Also bacteria is more likely to breed on cold food. Warm food and drinks are therefore recommended. During the confinement period, Malays are not allowed to use fans/air conditioning reason being cold temperature throws kapha off its balance resulting in colds and coughs.
Light foods make a better choice because digestion gets affected in most women. Boiled watery vegetables such as ridge gourd, snake gourd, bottle gourd with cumin seed, coriander powder, turmeric seasoning are not only light on the stomach but are also nutritous and aid in increasing milk supply because of the high water content in them. Such foods are also low on calorie counts. Seasoning not only makes the food tasty but also builds immunity which would be at an all time low post delivery.
Eating light yet nutritous foods also goes a long way in devoiding babies of colic.
The advantages of having only warm water are manifold. It not only prevents water borne diseases but also aids the elimination process by relieving constipation, a problem most common in many women postnatally. Warm water supposedly burns excess fat and hence can be considered as an added advantage.
Ghee and dry Ginger (sonth, sonthi) are highly recommended for reigniting the Agni (fire) in the body. The Chinese also use a lot of Ginger in their post natal diet.
Traditional post natal massages including Malay and Ayurvedic massages / abhyangana are excellent ways to not only relax the body but to also help the body release excess vata. Such massages typically increase blood circulation, relieve pains and aches post delivery, break celluloid and eliminate stale blood.
The tummy binder/girdle tied post massage helps prevent air from forming in the hollow space left in the abdomen after birth. It also helps in breaking slimming the body.
Disclaimer: do I need to give any for my own blog! Anyways, most of the blog reflects my experience, findings from secondary research and my reasonings. I am in no way related to Ayurveda otherwise even remotely.
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