After delivery, the new mother and her baby require special care. Ayurveda gives
detailed guidance about the care to be taken, including lifestyle advice and specific
dietary guidelines, during this extremely sensitive situation. The special and necessary
post delivery care is described in Ayurveda in the following lines.
After delivery, the new mother is very weak, sensitive and susceptible. She has
provided nourishment and energy to the child during its entire development, undergone
the exertion and resulting the fatigue of labour, and blood loss, during and after
delivery. Any health problem, arising during this time, could be difficult to treat,
and in some cases, impossible to cure. Administering special remedies (to strengthen
and protect her) can provide the necessary care and attention, right from the beginning
of the post partum phase.
There are three post-partum phases as described below:
- 1 – The first ten days:
Immediately after the delivery the new mother is tired and she will surely have
some vaginal bleeding. She requires special attention at this time.
- 2 – The first 45 days:
It is important to follow the guidelines that are meant to help the uterus contract
to its normal size again. Diet, medicines and body care that ensure the adequate
production of breast milk are recommended during this time.
- 3 – Until the reappearance of menstruation:
The time until the recommencement of menstruation is included in the post-partum
period, so the woman is ‘sutika’ during this entire phase. Playing careful attention
to diet, behavior and lifestyle, ensures the adequate production of breast milk
and maintains hormonal balance. This also prevents weight gain, and helps her to
regain her former physical shape.
Importance of Post Natal Care ( Sutika Paricharya)
- To bring the woman’s health status to the pre pregnant state.
- To prevent the complaints during Sutika kala such as urinary tract infection, backache,
loss of appetite, thirst, anxiety, anger, disturbed sleep, depression etc.
Daily Routine :
Do’s
- Daily massage with Vatahara oil eg Bala tail
- Bath with warm water
- Keep the breasts and perineum clean.
- Fumigation of surroundings with guggulu, kushtha etc.
- Wrap soft cotton cloth over abdomen
- Proper breast feeding
Don’ts
During post natal care, Sutika has been advised to avoid factors such as Vvyama
(exercise), Maithun (sexual intercourse), Krodha (anger), Sheetasevan (breezy things).
Women experience lots of physical and mental stress during labour and get exhausted.
This may be the reason behind restricting her from exercise. Emotional imbalance
like anger,fear and depression badly affect lactation. Consumption of cold things
aggravates Vata Dosha. Sexual intercourse involves strain and friction of genital
tract which is already lacerated and weakened during the process of labor resulting
into injury, bleeding and infection. The hypo estrogenic state following delivery
makes vaginal epithelium thin and provides very little lubrication after sexual
stimulation resulting into painful intercourse. Also there are chances of pregnancy
which may affect breast feeding. Avoid Spicy Food - Postpartum, your body will be
prone to constipation. So avoid spicy food and chillies, especially the red chilli.
Besides, hot food also delays the recovery of the uterus. It is thus advisable to
opt for pepper. Note that you must never include caffeine, nicotine and alcohol
in your postnatal diet. They can reach the baby through your breast milk and is
harmful for the baby.