In the first few weeks, a mother needs to be relieved of all responsibilities other than feeding the baby and taking care of herself.
For first time mums this may be possible, but it might be a little trickier with established families. The only thing all new mothers have in common is that every post-birth experience is unique.
During and post-pregnancy, mothers go through many physical and emotional changes. In the post-birth period (sometimes referred to as the 4th trimester), the new mum needs t focus on healing and recovering from pregnancy and childbirth, while also learning how to deal with all the changes and adjustments required in becoming a new mother. In addition to rest and a healthy diet, holistic reflexology can be used very successfully to assist recovery.
A professionally applied holistic reflexology therapy enables tired and stressed parents, especially mums, to feel supported, revitalised and rebalanced. The mother’s symptoms in particular benefit directly through stimulating lymphatics circulation and flushing the whole body, while also harmonising hormonal function to smooth out physical and emotional changes.
One of the main emotional issues I see in the Reflex 2 Health clinic is the “baby blues”. For many, the baby blues pass quickly. They appear just after childbirth, and are characterised by mood swings - feeling very happy to feeling very sad. Mothers may cry for no reason, or feel impatient, irritable, restless, anxious or lonely. These feelings may last only a few hours or for a week or two after delivery and for some women these feelings do not ease with time and may become worse.
Researchers believe that the baby blues are likely caused by changing levels of hormones, but they may also be brought on by the demands of motherhood and the reality of pregnancy ending, or a combination of all three factors. Of course, General Practitioner (GP) help and guidance should be sort as a first step where these symptoms don’t change. Plus accessing parenting support services or online groups are great source points for advice.
I have been lucky enough to support many new parents, particularly new mothers, to settle into their roles, providing physical and emotional support through holistic reflexology sessions.
If more information is needed, please get in touch. Reflex 2 Health also has professional network partners which can be referred to as support tools during this special but sometimes challenging time.
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