Postnatal Wellbeing Program
Diet & Lifestyle Solutions for New Mother and Baby
Child birth is a life altering event in the life of a woman. In fact, as the ancients would say, it’s the birth of a new “avatar” (identity) for the mother.
A woman undergoes changes at every level of her being- physically, physiologically, mentally, and emotionally. Along with physical diet and bodyworks to build her up physically, she needs positive emotions, confidence and the right attitude for her new responsibility in life.
A new mother is vulnerable, and needs to be mothered at every level.
Postnatal depression is a common syndrome in modern communities. Lack of family support system, the necessity to work and hectic pace of life leave many women ungrounded and frustrated. Even in cases where mothers have the needed resources, she may still feel overwhelmed with her new role and responsibility, especially when it comes to day-to-day health care of her child. After all, we sow the seeds of health and personality for our children during the first 12 years of their life!
It is very important for the mother to be absolutely mindful of her diet and lifestyle for at least 40 days after childbirth. These 40 days, which I call the postnatal restorative period (PNR), will determine the mother’s health in years to come. It is also the period which accounts for more than 80% of disorders in women in later years, if not managed correctly.
Aspects of PNR include diet and nutrition, herbal teas, bodyworks, lifestyle measures and emotional care.
I have been visited by many postnatal mothers over the past few years of my clinical practice. I have also conducted many postnatal workshops. The feedback I receive is inspiring and overwhelming at the same time! It motivated me to write and publish my first book, A New Age Manual for the New Mother, Postnatal and Beyond, in 2009. It is distributed by Asia Books in Thailand. The response has been beyond my expectations! The book has been translated into Thai by the Rak Luke Group. A Japanese translation is being considered.
A New Age Manual for Mothers – Postnatal and Beyond, renders natural and practical diet and lifestyle guidelines for new moms and babies. Excerpts can be downloaded from the website. The book can be purchased in the Shopping Gallery, or from Asia Books.
The Postnatal Wellbeing Program at Golden Awareness would include the following therapies and sessions. This program can be undertaken during pregnancy, and continued until after childbirth.
1. Nutrition Assessment and Lifestyle Counseling ( 3 sessions)
The diet and lifestyle measures will be tailored to the metabolic type of the new mother, via a detailed written report. (More information on the concept of metabolic type is rendered on the page Holistic Nutrition Therapy.)
2. Acupressure & Marma Therapy (4 sessions).
This involves massage on key energy points (areas) on the body with nourishing oils. Reflex and energy points on the feet, hands, scalp, back, arms and legs will be stimulated and restored. Use of healing magnets will be employed as an adjunct to the treatment
3. A session of infant massage with therapeutic oil and body scrub for the baby.
This will also give mothers an opportunity to learn the techniques and moves of infant massage. I strongly recommend that mothers massage their babies for the first 18 months of their life. It is one of the best healing and bonding rituals for mothers and babies, and I take great joy in facilitating it!
Modern research has proven the multi-level positive effects of baby massage, from stronger muscles and bone development of babies to their calmer nervous system, emotional security and wellbeing. For mothers, baby massage could lead to more milk secretion, release of wellbeing hormones like oxytocin, and lower incidence of postnatal blues.
4. Lifestyle Counseling (4 sessions, 60-90 minutes each):
These can be viewed as one-on-one workshops, which would equip a new mother with the main aspects of healthcare, for a lifetime of health and happiness!
1. Home preparation of herbal teas and decoctions for digestion, uterus cleansing, enhancing milk flow and preventing weight gain.
2. Breathing exercises to detox the system and enhance vital life force. Therapeutic use of sounds (mantra) is also employed to this effect. The higher spiritual purpose and essence of motherhood is imparted to inspire and boost the morale of new mothers.
3. Belly wrap with muslin cloth. Mothers will be taught how to wrap their bellies the traditional Ayurvedic way to tone the abdomen and prevent “postnatal belly” in the future. It is a simple timeless therapy which needs to be revived to save mothers unnecessary inconvenience, time, resources and self-esteem, in dealing with their protruding bellies.
4. Self-massage with therapeutic oils on key accessible points on the head, torso, arms and legs for instant release of stress. This kind of self-massage on marma (energy) points can be conveniently done anytime at home, for that instant release of tension and stress, and to restore the feeling of rejuvenation and wellbeing.
The Golden Awareness Postnatal Wellbeing Basket can be prepared with a mix and match of a few exclusive health products which support postnatal recovery. Visit the Shopping Gallery to create a unique holistic gift hamper. A gift voucher for the postnatal program can also be purchased to present your loved ones.
“I am very disappointed at the way I was handled post-childbirth at the hospital. I did not receive any education on my diet, and other things a postnatal mother goes through and needs to be mindful of. I became depressed, not knowing what to eat, what to avoid, what to give my child for minor ailments besides drugs. After the first session with you Dimple, I already felt more confident. My health improved after following you natural diet regimen. More milk flow, more energy, and people tell me I am glowing! You should be working alongside doctors in hospitals. I will personally tell the head of gynae at Samitivej hospital.” – Sukhraj Sethi (Tel: 081-811-8520)
“It was great to have such a pampering experience following the birth of my second son. After having had a tough postnatal period with my 1st baby which ended with an extended postpartum bleeding, failure to breastfeed and distinct symptoms of postpartum depression (even despite a positive water birth experience!) I realized I wanted something totally different with my second child. 2 weeks after the birth of my 2nd son I came to see Dimple for postpartum diet and lifestyle counseling – something that no hospital does when they discharge you! Most women don’t know what they should eat and drink and how to rest efficiently in order to help the body to recover from birth. It is extremely important to take care of yourself after delivery, not only the baby, who gets most of the attention and care anyway. Thanks to Dimple’s treatments and herbal supplements I had a smooth journey through the “4th trimester” and felt more and more fresh, strong and optimistic after every session. It was such a treat!
I sincerely wish women knew more about postnatal care, therefore I can strongly recommend to read Dimple’s book “A New Age Manual for the New Mother - Postnatal and Beyond” which is a true pearl of modern wisdom and will be of great help to every mother.
Thanks again for everything!
- Anastasia Belyaewa
