Postpartum is the period after child birth, typically lasting about 6 to 8 weeks. Bringing a new life into the world is a great blessing for women but it also leaves her body and mind in a delicate state of transition. Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to healing and rejuvenation after childbirth known as SOOTHIKA PARICHARYA- the ayurvedic treatment for postpartum care regimen
In today’s fast paced world, where new mothers often rush back into routine.
Ayurveda gently reminds us that postpartum is a sacred phase of rest, nourishment and renewal.
SYMPTOMS OF POSTPARTUM:
Physical :
- Soreness and pain in perineum
- Vaginal discharge
- Uterus involution(Uterus shrinking to its pre pregnancy state)
- Breast engorgement and nipple
- Constipation
- Chance of hemorrhoids
- C section recovery
- Hairloss
Emotional:
- Baby blues
- Postpartum depression
- Postpartum anxiety
- Weight loss
- Stretch marks
SOOTHIKA PARICHARYA:
- Restoring balance of doshas:
After delivery, vata dosha – the energy that controls movement and circulation becomes naturally aggravated due to physical strain and emptiness of the womb. It can be grounded through warmth, nourishment and rest. Warm, comforting meals, gentle oil massage and avoiding cold or dry foods help restore energy and stability. Balancing vata also helps in better digestion, calmer emotions and improved sleep.
Nourishment through foods:
- Emphasises on warm, unctuous and easily digestible foods
- Begin with soup,rice gruels enriched with ghee.
- Include herbs and spices like cumin, fenugreek, turmeric and ginger to stimulate digestion and prevent gas.
- Add iron rich and rejuvenating foods like dates , milk ,almonds and moong dal.
- Avoid raw, cold or dry foods that can aggravate vata.
- These foods restore strength, improve lactation and enhance energy naturally.
- Puli kuzhambu: made of turmeric ,sesame oil, chilli and mustard seeds
Dinacharya that can be followed:
- 7 am: Yoga
- 7.30 am: pratimarsha nasya, aschyotana, gandusha,detox water/ jeeraka water
- 8 am: milk+ egg
- 8.30 am: breakfast
- 9 to 12 pm: Prescribed treatment(45 min)
- 10 am: soaked almond
- 11.15 am: Fruits\Juices\immunity boosting drink
- 12 pm: Fenugreek gruel
- Therapeutic yoga
- 12.30 pm: Butter milk+ half teaspoon hinguvashtaka choornam
- 1pm: lunch
- 3-6 pm: ayurveda therapy( 45 min)
- 4pm: snacks
- 5pm: leaf gruel
- 6.30-7.30 pm: meditation
- 7.30-8.30 pm: Dinner
- 10 pm: Sleep
Abhyanga-Daily oil massage: One of the most cherished ayurvedic postpartum rituals is Abhyanga(oil massage).
Warm sesame oil or medicated oils such as Dhanwantaram oil ,Ksheerabala oil, mostly BALA TAILAM used .
Purpose:
- Pacify vata and relieve muscle stiffness
- Improve circulation and lymphatic flow
- Promote deep relaxation and sound sleep
- Nourish skin and joints
- Regular oil massage also helps the uterus return to its normal size and tones abdominal muscles.
After that pour lukewarm water on the body.
Rest and Rejuvenation: New mothers are advised to minimize exertion and focus on deep rest,emotional calm, and warmth.
- Keep the body warm and protected from cold wind
- Encourage naps and early bedtime.
- Gentle stretching and breathing practices (pranayama) can be done
Ayurvedic herbs for strength and lactation:
- Shatavari: Support lactation and balances hormones
- Aswaganda: Reduces fatigue and promotes calmness.
- Jeera: Aid digestion and prevent bloating.
- Dashamoola : Restores uterine tone and reduces inflammation.
Medicines generally given:
Dashamoolarishtam, Jeerakarishtam,abhayarishtam,Dhanwantaram Kashaya,Bala tailam for massage,Hinguvashtaka choornam
Swedana:(Gentle fomentation): Mild steam or warm compresses relieve soreness, enhance detoxification, reduce swelling especially useful after delivery.
Emotional and mental healing:
- Meditation and pranayama(especially nadishodana)
- Supportive company and positive environment.
- Use of calming herbs like Brahmi or Aswagandha under doctor’s guidance.
This helps to prevent postpartum depression and anxiety.
Abdominal wrapping:(Udara veshtana): Practice of tightly wrapping the abdomen with a cloth or band after delivery to support the uterus,muscles and lower back.
Purposes:
- Helps the uterus to return to its normal size
- Reduces back pain and abdominal sagging
- Improve posture
- Enhance circulation and help remove excess vata from the body.
- Postpartum bathing:
- Done daily, usually in the morning.
- Before bathing, the mother is massaged with warm medicated oils such as Dhanwantaram tailam, bala tailam ,ksheerabala tailam, and after 45 min she is made to bath in water boiled with kashyam made from turmeric,vetiver, neem,castor ,acalypha,
- Hair wash done with herbal; powder like hibiscus or green gram powder.
- After bathing, udara veshtana done and let her rest , wear warm clothes and avoid exposures to cold air
- A light warm meal like Jeeraka kanji, leaf gruel is taken afterward
Benefits:
- Relieves body aches and stiffness
- Prevent infection and inflammation
- Strengthens the abdominal and pelvic muscles
- Calm vata dosha
- Promotes relaxation
Ritucharya for Gradual recovery:
Ayurveda recommends a 40 days rest period (Sutika kala) during which the mother stays warm, avoids heavy work and focuses on self care.
Gradual return to normal diet and activity supports steady rejuvenation.
Ayurveda views postpartum recovery not as a phase to bounce back but as a sacred time for rebirth and renewal. By embracing rest,warmth, nourishment and mindfulness,a mother can restore her strength,doshic balance and nurture herself and her baby with love and vitality.
Let motherhood bloom!
Dr Ardhra prabhan