Kiddipedia
It’s not uncommon for many cultures around the world to practice postpartum rituals to help protect the mother, and her wellbeing, after she has given birth.
Cultures including Indian, Chinese, Moroccan, Vietnamese and African amongst many.
Disappointingly, and by stark contrast, in the western world we tend to focus on the mother during her pregnancy, however not as much after she has given birth.
Whilst a mother is pregnant, she will have people dotting on her offering to open doors or carry things and or offer a seat so she doesn’t have to stand. We throw baby showers and have prenatal checkups and classes whilst loved ones are eager to know daily updates on how she is feeling.
Post-birth, a mum can be discharged from the hospital within 24-48 hours for natural birth and up to 4 days for a c-section. If she is lucky her partner will have paternity leave, but soon enough she will be left to breastfeed / bottle feed and recover from the birth, before possibly having to shortly return back to work.
So, how can we adapt traditional postpartum practices to help support our modern mamas? Lucky for us our special guest, Amy Pasfield, will share how we can create nourishing and supportive postpartum experiences.
Amy is a Holistic Nutritionist, Postpartum Doula, mama to two beautiful girls, and the owner of Mother Unearthed – A holistic model of care for women to unearth the Mother within by providing nutritional, emotional, and educational support in a time that we need it the most.
We ask Amy questions including:
- Do you think we, in the western world, should support mothers more during the postpartum period?
- How can we gather our village support as a modern mother?
- Why do you think practicing seclusion is important?
- How can practicing 40 days of confinement help a mother heal after birth?
- During this period of time mothers are quite vulnerable, do you think this is something we should recognised more?
- How will retreating to the confinement of your safe space help a new mum?
- What are realistic ways a modern mother can support her healing?
For Amy’s full article, please go to: https://kiddipedia.com.au/traditional-postpartum-practices-for-the-modern-mama/
For further info:
https://instagram.com/mother_unearthed
