Mothering the Mother
Mothering the Mother after birth is vital to her continued strength and future health, from the physical to the emotional and spiritual. The post partum period is considered the 'fourth trimester' by conscious health care practitioners. It is a period of reintegration and recuperation.
"Preparation for the fourth trimester should begin prenatally. There is nothing more important than connecting pregnant women with one another, or better still, with those who have recently given birth." — Elizabeth Davis, Hearts and Hands
During pregnancy, labour and birth, and afterwards with breastfeeding, a woman is giving continuously of her life force. It is vital that she is replenished afterwards to ensure her complete recovery.
"The better she feels, the more easily she will integrate her new role and learn to distinguish the needs of her child from her own. Care of new mothers assures survival of the species, but more than that, it positively affects the quality of life for us all." — Elizabeth Davis
Traditional Wisdom: Keeping Warm
Many cultures around the world stress the importance of keeping the mother warm - literally and metaphorically not leaving her out in the cold!
Women are incredibly opened by birth and susceptible to chill and energy loss. During the moon that follows birth, a woman is given only warming foods with warming spices, healing teas and tonics.
Pelvic Steam Baths
Pelvic Steam Baths relax spasms, bring warmth and increase circulation, nourish the internal membranes, cleanse and promote healing.
Aromatic herbs for steam baths include:
- Calendula - antimicrobial with wound and skin healing properties
- Lavender - antiseptic, antispasmodic, sedative, relaxing nervine
- Red Roses - astringent, relaxing, uplifting for emotional stress
- Rosemary - antibacterial, stimulating, aids circulation
- Basil - antispasmodic, sedative, nervine
- Lemon Balm - antispasmodic, antiseptic, nervine
How to have a Vaginal Steam:
- Add two large handfuls fresh (or one handful dry) herbs to about a gallon of boiling water
- Boil for 10 minutes and remove from heat. Let steep for 10 minutes
- Use an open slatted chair with the pot below, or a basin in your toilet
- Remove clothing from waist down, keep on warm socks
- Sit over steaming herbs and wrap yourself with a blanket from waist down
- Relax over steam for 20 minutes
- Keep warm after - ideal to do before bed
Contraindication: Do not do if pregnant, menstruating, have an acute uterine infection, or vaginal sores. Never add essential oils.
Nutritive Herbs
These are tonic herbs akin to foods, containing vitamins and minerals in abundance. They are building and nourishing and can be taken over long periods of time.
Milky Oats (Avena sativa)
Contains Vitamin B complex which sustains energy and soothes the nervous system. Excellent for convalescence, depression, debility, exhaustion, anxiety, and insomnia.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Cooling, sweet, astringent herb that gently cleanses, controls bleeding and is rich in minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium, plus vitamins A, D, E and K.
Nettles (Urtica dioica)
One of the finest nourishing tonics with more chlorophyll than other herbs. Contains vitamins A, C, D and K, and minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, silica and iron. Nourishing for mother and baby, aids kidney and bladder function.
Gotu Kola (Hydrocotyle asiatica)
Good combined with other nervines, reduces nervous exhaustion whilst promoting mental clarity. A connective tissue tonic that helps restore tone to ligament and uterine tissues.
Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)
Contains fragarine, an alkaloid that gives tone to uterine muscles. Rich in vitamins A, C, E, B complex and easily assimilated calcium and iron.
Rosehips
Excellent source of vitamin C, astringent and diuretic. Aids absorption of iron.
Nervines
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Gentle, relaxing, antispasmodic. Great for mama and baby for after pains as well as colic symptoms.
Chamomile
Relaxing, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic. Good for nervous tummies.
Passionflower
Relaxing sedative, night time tea, aids insomnia.
Lavender
Gentle, relaxing, soothing. Good for insomnia and aids let down reflex.
Lemon Balm
Calming, aids digestion, antispasmodic, antiviral.
Skullcap
For when on edge, excited, overstimulated. For blues and exhaustion from lack of rest.
Vervain
For irritability, anger, feeling like you might lose it. Great combined with milky oats and skullcap.
Galactagogues (Increase Breast Milk)
Vitex (Agnus castus)
A supreme berry for women! Rebalances hormones by stimulating and normalizing pituitary gland function. Nourishes breast milk supply.
Blessed Thistle
Great in the first few weeks after birth. Helps with uterine bleeding and milk production by stimulating blood supply to mammary glands.
Fennel Seeds
Great taste, improves milk production and digestion.
Fenugreek Seeds
Strong maple-like taste. Increases milk production fast. Best used with alfalfa, raspberry leaf, nettles, and marshmallow root.
For After Birth Pains
Motherwort is great for fatigue, cramps and relaxation. A bitter nervine that moves stuck heart and womb energy.
Calcium/Magnesium is excellent, as is chamomile, lemon balm, oat straw, nettle, wild yam, red raspberry and partridge berry.
Stronger herbs include Cramp Bark and Black Haw - they relax smooth muscles in uterus and whole pelvic area.
Recipes
Iron Tea
Dandelion Root, Yellow Dock root, Nettles, Rosehips
Yellow Dock helps the body retain iron; rosehips contain Vitamin C which increases iron absorption.
After Birth Tea
Oranges, lemons, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, lemongrass, raspberry, borage, star anise and honey.
Grate ginger, add cinnamon sticks and star anise to a large pot of water, bring to boil and simmer for 25 mins. Add oranges and lemons for ten minutes. Add rest of the ingredients and let steep. Strain and add honey.
For Shakes, Chills, Sweats After Birth
Grate fresh ginger root and steep for 10-15 mins with 2 tsp panax ginseng and dried licorice root.
Or: Cinnamon tea - ½ tsp powder to 1 cup water or milk. Sweeten with honey if desired.