Postpartum care must be an integral part of the new mother’s post-delivery revival. Unfortunately, in all the excitement of a new baby, many forget the importance of postpartum care for the mother who went through nine months of labor.
In the U.S., according to the CDC, 1 in 8 new moms[1] suffer from postpartum depressive symptoms, including pessimism, restlessness, loss of interest, feeling of worthlessness, body image issues, and lasting unhappiness. To make the matter worse, many mothers suffer from lifelong physical pain – either due to complicated labor, difficult delivery, problems with the epidural and anesthesia, or any combination of factors during pregnancy and labor.
Physically, the effects of pregnancy do not end when your baby is born. The first three months after delivery, also known as the ‘fourth trimester’, is a very delicate journey for the mother as well as for the baby. The newborn develops in a plethora of ways, but mothers are at increased risk[2] of postpartum depressive and/or anxiety disorder symptoms. This is often because mothers, by default, overlook their own mental and physical health to fulfill the newborn’s needs. Also, the mother’s body is still retaining water, so she has swollen hands and/or feet, and her body is still tense. It can take months for her body to feel normal again.
A new mother is physically and mentally most vulnerable in the fourth trimester. Due to the lack of new mom care in her most vulnerable stage, some mothers end up resentful, and some experience full-blown postpartum depression (PPD). The pregnancy journey till delivery has been glamourized, but new mom care is often overlooked.
However, now this situation is changing. A simple yet effective way to care for new moms is postpartum massages in the comfort of their home. Postpartum care in the form of massage has the power to help regulate hormones, increase milk production[3], reduce body aches and help moms bond better with their baby.
Postpartum massages or post-natal massages are designed specifically around a new mom – starting with providing massage in the comfort of a mother’s home where they are just a room away from their baby. This is followed by a postpartum massage therapist structuring a customized therapy taking into consideration various factors including the delivery method, accommodating breastfeeding needs, any swelling in the feet/hands due to water retention, and soreness around the epidural injection site. It is important to understand that postpartum massages are different from normal massages and must be performed by a specially trained massage therapist.
It is established that postpartum massages are very effective in taking the stress away from a new mom and provide an essential breather for them to unwind and take a bit of a break during their hectic day. It provides them an opportunity to self-care, relaxes the body, and reduces anxiety which helps combat postpartum depression. They must become a part of new mom care in the fourth trimester – a valuable revival that will help new moms be stronger, healthier, and happier.