Four pillars for the fourth trimester
The first forty days after a baby is born is often referred to as the fourth trimester. It is in this time that a woman retreats into her own space and is given time to heal from one of, if not the, biggest experiences of her life, birth! For adequate healing to take place, it is necessary for the new Mam to have optimum nourishment and rest, during her postpartum period. The following four pillars are essential in the healing journey.
Rest
Rest would be top of the list as the most important requirement for healing in the postpartum period. Taking time out from the busyness of everyday life and retreating into her own space with her newborn baby, is essential for the new Mama to heal and recover from the massive journey she has been on from pregnancy through to labour, birth and now postpartum. Different cultures from all over the world have their own version of what the fourth trimester looks like, but most of them ensure the new Mama rests for at least thirty-forty days.
Nourishment
Pregnancy and breastfeeding take every single nutrient for the development and nourishment of a growing baby and this all comes from the beautiful Mama. Restoring all those nutrients with nourishing, warm foods is vitally important for the healing and recovery after the birth of a baby and for aiding milk production. Focusing on foods such as soups, stews, broths, warming drinks, proteins, complex carbohydrates and healthy, nourishing fats like ghee, butter and coconut oil will provide warmth and sustenance for the Mama.
Warmth
In Ayurveda a woman's energy is considered cold after the birth of a baby due to an increase in the air or 'Vata' energy in her body through the empty space that is left from birthing the baby and placenta, and loss of heat or 'pitta' energy from blood, energy and fluid loss. So by staying warm with wraps, socks, slippers, blankets, heating, massage, not having wet hair etc. you are supporting optimum circulation and healing and increasing the heat or 'pitta' energy.
Support
That saying "It takes a village" comes into play a little here. Leaning on your loved ones for support is crucial at this time of deep healing. Asking for help may seem hard and is not something most of us are used to doing. When you are offered help, accept it as the postpartum phase isn't the time to try being superwoman doing it all. Instead of gifts you might like to ask for meals to fill the freezer, or vouchers for a cleaner or meal delivery service, having someone pickup groceries or do the daycare drop off/pickup for you if you have older children is super helpful and reduces stress for the new parents. Tasks that can be offloaded to someone else ensures your main focus is on your healing and recovery and not on the day to day chores around your home.
I hope you have found these four pillars helpful for your postpartum journey. For further information or to work with me, you will find my postpartum packages here.
I’m Hannah.
I’m a naturopath and mama of one, living in the beautiful Southern Highlands, N.S.W. Australia. I love holistically supporting women to feel healthy and amazing from the very start of their preconception journey, throughout pregnancy, during the postpartum period and beyond.