Supporting the mother on all levels, physically emotionally and mentally is of profound importance during the postpartum period. The postpartum is also known as puerperium, meaning the period belonging to the child. It officially begins after the 3rd stage of labor, when the placenta has been delivered. In many cultures women are given much care for 9-40 days and recieve not only special treatments but are to have particular foods and rituals as well.  Postpartum physical healing of the tissues involved in labor and those that may have been torn or compromised may take up to 6-8 weeks to heal in vaginal deliveries and up to 8-12 weeks to heal in cesarean deliveries.  Often the more subtle healing of the abdominal musculature, re positioning of the uterus and the recoiling of ligaments may still be going on even past the visible healing.  No wonder many women in our culture are plagued with postpartum depression-how little support and care they recieve is always amazing.

I have had the blessed oppourtunity to share in the postpartum wisdom unique to several cultures as I have worked with women during this time.  In the Carribean Islands women are considered "On Straw" for 9 days, in Latin cultures, a womens abdomen will be wrapped with cloths to help the abdominal muscles.  In China women will be warmed daily and given a nourishing soup of herbs and dates.  In India women are massaged with warm oils to harmonize their constitution.  In Oriental Medicine the postpartum phase is considered a profound time for the restoration of the mothers vital energy, thus the term "Mother Roasting" is applied. This involves the application of moxa and heat therapy and the warming of specific acupuncture points that restore vital energy.  Rebuilding of the mothers blood with herbal and dietary prescriptions helps to enhance milk production and speed the recovery process as well as assuage postpartumdepression syndrome.
Addressing tissue healing and uterine integrity post c-section and utilizing abdominal massage and binding techniques to support deep healing healing of tissues that may have been compromised due to inscision or abdominal muscle separation is of profound importance during this time. Acupressure to assist in peristalsis and regulate the bowels is also very useful especially when hemmoriods and constipation are a discomfort.

Clearing any psycological trauma or deep seated regret or guilt that may have occured due to events during birth such as c-section or difficult labor is of extreme importance and benefit to both the mother and child during this time. Often conscious or subconscious negative feelings can effect the physical and mental wellbeing of the whole family.

I utilize an integration of techniques to address and initiate deep and lasting healing inpreparation for future pregnancy and life long health during the postpartum phase for my patients.