One of the hardest aspects about giving birth to a child is transitioning from pregnancy, when many mothers can create the time and space to get support for themselves, to a time when many mothers can only focus on supporting their child. This can be especially true for first time mothers.
Transitioning into motherhood is jarring – everything from the lack of sleep to navigating co-parenting with another parent if one is present, to making space for basic activities of daily life while supporting a newborn. Even in the best of circumstances with a healthy child who feeds well, this is a hard phase.
Receiving periodic acupuncture can make a world of difference for a new mother. During the immediate postpartum period we frequently support mothers through some of the following issues:
Stress due to a difficult, traumatic, or not-to-plan birth;
Stress due to coparenting struggles;
Stress, anxiety, and/or depression due to postpartum hormonal changes;
Stress due to absolute exhaustion and depletion;
Stress due to challenges with nursing or feeding the newborn;
Stress from having a newborn who is not in optimal health;
Back, neck, shoulder, and/or arm pain due to holding, feeding, rocking, and soothing the newborn;
Insufficient milk production;
Body temperature issues (running too hot or too cold);
And more!
What Postpartum Care Can Look Like
This year we worked with Charla, a 37-year-old first time mother. We supported her health throughout the pregnancy and her for her first postpartum visit about six weeks after the birth. At that time, she was exhausted, depleted, and quite sore in the upper back, shoulders, and neck. We used a lot of nourishing, replenishing acupuncture points with her in addition to providing cupping for her upper back, neck, and shoulder pain.
At her second postpartum visit two weeks later, her pulse felt substantially stronger. She was sleeping a little more but still struggling with some upper body pain from feeding and holding her daughter. She was also dealing with some coparenting stress. Again, we used cupping to relieve much of the pain and used acupuncture needles for pain, stress, and overall energetic and digestive support.
At Charla’s next visit she was 3.5 months postpartum. She had a good amount of energy, was bonding well with her daughter, and only struggled with some back pain due to a fall.
By her fourth postpartum visit 4 months after the birth, Charla was doing quite well. She was sleeping well, eating well, back to her pre-pregnancy weight, and overall feeling optimistic and supported. We continued to do some orthopedic work for her back and provided some balancing and stress relief acupuncture.
A mother who is well supported during her postpartum months can provide the best care for her child.
If you or someone you know needs postpartum support, acupuncture and herbal medicine are safe and effective methods to consider. Contact us at Inspire Family Acupuncture to see if postpartum care is right for you or your loved ones!
