Postpartum Ayurveda
According to the Ayurvedic Perspective the first 42 days postpartum are essential for the body to renew. As a Doula Chef, I'm able to provide postpartum care that nourishes mamas with grounding foods that support healthier digestion and stronger milk supply so they may experience a deeper bond with baby. Mother's milk is directly affected by the quality of nutrition which in-turn affects baby's development. Baby is given a head start at birth, easing their adjustment outside the womb. Cleansing Ayurvedic foods aid in the 4th trimester transition, giving both mom and baby optimal wellness for building strong immune systems and experiencing a speedy recovery.
Gut Fire "Agni"
The Ayurvedic concept of "agni" associated with fire or life force within each cell of our bodies, is centralized in the digestive system. The gut is responsible for the breakdown and assimilation of food where 70% of our immune system resides. After childbirth, a women's digestive fire is extremely weak making it harder to process food and absorb nutrients. This can affect weight, mood, liver and breakdown of fats, lactation and subsequently baby's digestion when breastfeeding. Building a strong digestive fire postpartum, creates a chain reaction throughout the entire body for wellness.
Recent studies show the gut is a central organ to our health. After birth, it is depleted and fragile, like a visible break on an external limb. By avoiding certain foods and favoring others postpartum, we allow this organ to heal. This can prevent a lengthier recovery and avoid common long-term mental, emotional and physical unhealth postpartum often triggers that's correlated with low immunity.
Pacify Vata
Childbirth is an extreme force of movement and change activating Vata in the body and mind. Vata dosha is responsible for creation and life transitions like our metamorphosis into motherhood, so it is only natural for it to take hold during labor. It doesn't matter what constitution you're born dominant, the extreme circulation, elimination, muscle movement, pulsation of heart and focused thoughts in childbirth, causes Vata to increase. This becomes particularly imbalanced when suddenly a big empty space is left behind in the womb once the baby is born, but the body remains in "Vata mode".
Ayurveda therefore suggests a diet pacifying Vata during the first 6 weeks to calm the mind and ground the soul. Foods that are warm, wet, and oily bring Vata back into balance. Meals are made from scratch mostly based in mung beans, and dals that are organic, with seasonal produce, sprouted nuts and rice. This is high in protein, fiber, antioxidants, phytonutrients, anti-inflammatory and one of the easiest things for mom and baby's highly sensitive digestive systems to breakdown. Checkout the Daily Sample Cleanse to learn more!
Doula Chef
The service I offer is an Ayurvedic Postpartum Meal Program for moms recommended for 42 days. I stock the fridge/freezer and pamper them with yummy nourishing foods to heal and revitalize the gut. The cleanse is anti-inflammatory, nutrient rich and immune boosting, to support lactation, reproductive recovery and baby's new digestive system as it acclimates outside the womb.
I require an initial consultation preferably before birth. Once baby arrives, every 2-weeks I make Private Chef visitations cooking in your home supplying 2-weeks worth of meals up to 8 weeks. Every visit includes on-site catered breakfast, lunch or dinner depending on time of day. This service is very specialized putting new mamas nutritional needs front and center it is not about feeding the whole family. If this service sounds like something you are interested in or would like to GIFT a new mom, please reach out for more information on rates and scheduling a consultation.