Childbirth is a transformative experience for both the mother and the baby
It is a time when the psycho-physiological state of the mother is as fragile as her newborn baby. After childbirth, the mother undergoes a natural reset process to anchor her ideal health for the coming years. This is a vulnerable state for the mother, during which she needs the right support to allow her healing and rejuvenation to take place.
Ayurveda is the ancient holistic medicine, the 'science of life,' that has existed for over 5,000 years. According to the Ayurvedic medical texts of the sage Shushrut, women experience an exceptional window during the first 42 days after childbirth (extended by at least 14 days if there was a cesarean).
This window, also known as the "Sacred Window," is a time when the mother's nervous system is like a delicate flower — highly fragile and sensitive to its environment. The sacred window is the time for the new mother to be nourished and cared for, so she can offer the most exceptional attention to lovingly nurture and care for her baby. It is a time for deep bonding with the baby, rest, receiving softness and love, and healing. A postpartum period with much rest & quietness is essential, so that the mother and baby experience as few additional stimuli as possible, while being cared for by carefully chosen postpartum caregivers and nourishing food and drinks to gradually calm the nervous system and restore the mother’s strength.
Why 42 days?
"The first 42 days affect the next 42 years.”
Please read this sentence again. And again.
Ayurveda explains that it takes about 42 days for the essence of food to become Ojas (the connection between consciousness and matter, which is vitalizing and regenerating), and for all seven tissues to be properly built (plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow, reproduction).
After childbirth, this is the time for the mother to rebuild her tissues and establish health and wellbeing for the next 42 years.
What happens during the "Window"?
From an Ayurvedic perspective, the mother’s digestive fire is very depleted after childbirth, which can cause difficulties in digesting food, life, and emotions.
During and after childbirth, the mother’s body experiences various sensations such as pain, inflammation, and changes in the abdominal area. From an Ayurvedic perspective, these all increase the ether and air elements in the body (Vata) and the mind, which can lead to feelings of unsupportedness, bloating, a great sense of emptiness, fear, sadness, being "on" too much, and loss of appetite.
What happens with the hormones during this time?
Immediately after childbirth, the mother is filled with oxytocin, and her heart is full of love. She naturally radiates a divine glow. But around the third day after childbirth, when the hormones drop and the milk comes in, the mother may begin to feel overwhelmed, very tired, nervous and anxious.
During this time, proper postnatal care is essential for the mother, so she receives the right support and loving care.
What are some practices to nourish the mother?
Abhyanga: Warm oil massage over the body
Belly binding: Provides support and helps the organs return to their place
Ayurvedic herbal medicines: To promote the healing process
Warm and nourishing dishes: Cooked according to Ayurvedic restorative principles
Rest and silence: No one in the maternity room except for the partner or caregiver
Warm showers and restorative sitz baths/yoni steams with herbs
Lots of loving care
What are the benefits of Abhyanga and belly binding?
Rubbing the body with oil in Ayurveda is called "snehan." In Sanskrit, "snehan" means both oil and love. It is the practice of loving our body, mind, and heart. It is a clear message of love, care, and appreciation for your whole being.
After childbirth, Vata dosha (the ether and air elements) is disturbed and needs real care and attention to restore the mother’s health and reclaim her strength.
The massage technique stimulates circulation and supports lymphatic drainage, aiding the detoxification process. This is crucial for removing excess fluids and toxins that may have accumulated during pregnancy, thereby promoting overall recovery and rejuvenation.
Good sleep is essential for recovery after childbirth, but it is often disrupted. Abhyanga helps improve the quality of sleep by calming both the mind and body, fostering deeper, more restorative sleep.
The sesame oil used in Abhyanga deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin, improves elasticity, and helps reduce stretch marks. But more importantly, it not only promotes skin health but also provides a soothing and grounding effect.
The recommended oil for the mother is sesame oil or bala thailam (medicinal oil), which helps with the nourishing, cleansing, and healing process for the mother.
Belly binding is an ancient practice for mothers after childbirth. It gives the new mother a feeling of being grounded and helps the organs return to their proper place. Ideally, belly binding should be done from the first day after childbirth. In the case of a cesarean, it is essential to wait until the scar has healed (4 to 6 weeks).
What is the postnatal diet?
Ayurveda provides specific guidelines for the diet of mothers after childbirth. Everything is aimed at pacifying and balancing Vata dosha (the ether and air elements). Childbirth has had a massive impact on Vata, and it is now very weak.
The food for the first few days should be "soupy." Traditionally, peya (soupy rice) was made with ghee, iron-rich sugar (such as palm sugar), a little salt, and spices. Today, it is still recommended that the food be very soft and easily digestible. This food will allow the mother's digestive fire to rest and reset. It also gives the mother time to process everything that has happened and fully connect her heart with her baby.
Ayurveda advises that the thickness of the food be gradually increased, and cooked vegetables and easily digestible grains slowly introduced. Step by step, the diet should progress to more solid foods over the 42 days. The emphasis remains on warm, cooked, and soft foods like thick soups, (vegetable) stews, (non-spicy) curries with spices, and light grains to ignite the digestive fire so the food can be well-digested.
Don’t forget the ghee (if not vegan). This very healthy fat not only nourishes your entire body but also helps collect and eliminate toxins.
All of this is done to pacify Vata dosha so that the mother can fully recover. Even after this period, it remains important that the primary food remains easy to digest, as the digestive system takes time to regain full strength. Dry, cold, and raw foods increase Vata dosha, which is exactly what we want to avoid.
It is also better to avoid eating meat or fish, especially red meat, for the first two weeks (red meat should be avoided for even longer). It is heavy to digest, and we want light, easily digestible foods. After that fish and white meat can be slowly reintroduced, but it is also okay to avoid them for the first six weeks. In contrast, homemade chicken broth can be very nourishing and easy to digest for the new mother.
This is also a great postpartum gift to ask family & friends: a pot of this homemade broth, so a cup can be drunk every day or used in soups.
No beans, as they can cause gas formation (which increases Vata). Lentils may be mildly gas-forming. Opinions differ on whether this is suitable in the beginning. I personally do not recommend them for the first two weeks and then suggest trying them once (e.g., in kitchari or a simple dahl with basmati rice).
Also, drink lots of warm (or room temperature) water throughout the day and night — never cold water! Cold water disrupts digestion and weakens it. About one glass of warm water per hour is ideal. Herbal teas can also be consumed. Think of fresh ginger tea (ideal as the first drink of the day), VKK tea (fennel, coriander seeds, cumin seeds in equal amounts, great for digestion), peppermint tea, chamomile tea (in moderation, e.g., one cup per day when anxious or before sleep). A thermos with warm water (1-2 liters) and perhaps one with herbal tea can be placed next to the bed, so the mother always has something to drink.
Ayurveda also recommends that the new mother drink warm spiced milk late in the evening, which will help with the quality and quantity of breast milk.
Spiced milk recipe for mom:
Gently bring milk to a boil with spices (cardamom, clove, black pepper, saffron, black cardamom, fennel, nutmeg, use little cinnamon until the bleeding is under control), a teaspoon of ghee, and possibly a teaspoon of honey (milk should no longer be hot). You can use oat milk instead of cow/goat milk. If you can get raw cow or goat milk, the boiling time will be longer. Drink warm.
Last but not...
Food is one of the most important factors for the mother’s body, mind, and emotions to heal well and also to get her milk production started and maintain it. A good diet also protects the mother against anxiety or postnatal depression.
Currently, one in ten women who give birth in the Netherlands experiences postnatal depression. This is a significant number of new mothers who struggle to connect with their babies and with themselves, and therefore cannot engage in proper self-care.
A new mother needs the right support. I truly believe that planning a postpartum program is just as important than a birth plan. If you are an expectant mother, take the time to talk to different midwives, maternity nurses, doulas, and other caregivers to find the right postnatal care for you.
