in your first 40 days + 4th trimester
So many women and families prepare endlessly for labor and birth of their baby (rightly so!), but have unrealistic expectations of their postpartum time.
“I didn’t know breastfeeding would be so hard…it’s one of the hardest things I’ve EVER done in my life!”
“I thought the support I lined up for myself would be enough, I thought we could do more on our own!”
“My digestion is so weak! Nothing I eat seems to satify my hunger! On top of it all…my diet is terrible! I’m craving SWEETS so much!”
There is a toxic "bounce-back" myth that directs much of our culture's approach to the postpartum time period, that nobody is benefiting from!
In the United States, about 1 in 9 women experience symptoms of postpartum depression. (Additionally, postpartum depression estimates vary by state, and can be as high as 1 in 5 women.) When you take into account that in this country, about 25 percent of moms are back at work within two weeks of giving birth, it’s no wonder we are seeing major mental health issues in moms.
Its time we re-embrace key aspects of ancient wisdom traditions by coming together to support women during and after birth.
Ayurvedic & Universal Wisdom Traditions
My approach is grounded in principles found across spiritual and secular traditions, from ancient wisdom teachings to the latest research in neuroscience.
Compassionate, Non-judgemental Support
You will feel supported in your choices, and be encouraged to meet your own goals as a new mother.
Village-Building Coach + Cheerleader
It's my goal to support you to courageously and creatively continue to build your own village of support.
Contact me for packagesValerie Lynn, author of The Mommy Plan: Restoring Your Post-pregnancy Body Naturally, Using Women’s Traditional Wisdom
Reduced rates of post-partum mood disorders
Quicker physical and emotional wellbeing and recovery
Higher chance of breastfeeding success and supply
Easier time bonding with the baby
Greater confidence, peace, and joy in the transformation to motherhood
for a peaceful postpartum + 4th trimester
Bringing a baby into your life can be one of the happiest, and scariest moments of your life. You're meant to be supported and nourished during that transition.
VIRTUAL DOULA CARE
The biggest thing I could have changed with my own experience as a postpartum mom, was to have someone else be the brain behind the operation. Having lots of in-person support can be great, but if responsibility is scattered across a number of people things can get lost in the cracks. My role as a virtual postpartum doula is twofold:
VIRTUAL DOULA CARE WITH IN-HOME ADD-ON OPTIONS
IN PERSON DOULA CARE
But what happens on a visit? Miriam will help out with any and all of the following—rather than a set list of duties, she’ll step in where you need her:
42 days | 6 weeks | The Golden Month
My training as a postpartum doula has a strong foundation in a traditional Ayurvedic approach (India's Holistic System of Medicine). Beyond basic support you'd expect from a doula, the goal is the "Mother the new Mother" through daily warm-oil massage, gentle digestion-friendly foods, herbs and treatments for the first 2 weeks, 6 weeks postpartum, as a 42 day window of restoration that will create health and balance for the mother (and family) for the next 42 years of life.
The wisdom of focusing on complete rejuvenation for a new mother, is that we can tend to or even prevent issues that might come up in the baby, and whole family down the road.
That being said...life is busy, nuclear families are stretched thin, and often a "modified" approach is the most balanced (and realistic) approach to this delicate time in women's lives.
AYURVEDIC MASSAGE & FOODS
This style of massage is NOT a deep tissue massage. (though I'm happy to do some nice deep shoulder massage for those nursing arms!) Ayurvedic Massage is a part of a holistic system of traditional medicine. The theory behind a postpartum approach in Ayurveda is that after birth, the mothers body is in deep need for nourishing foods, touch, sounds, sights, and environments in order to heal. It is not the time to begin a strenuous exercise plan or getting right back to work (even regular household tasks).
UNIVERSAL QUALITIES in POSTPARTUM TRADITIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE
These ancient practices from India mimic qualities that are found in postpartum traditions from cultures all around the world.
In her book, The First 40 Days, Heng Ou points to the qualities she found cross-culturally in many postpartum traditions: Rest, Retreat, Warmth, Support, and Ritual.
My approach to care has a strong foundation in making healthy vegetarian foods designed specifically for the postpartum body, mind, and spirit.
But most importantly, I will support you to embrace your own cultural traditions and access your inner wisdom to make the self-care and parenting decisions that feel best to you.
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