So you have waited 9 expectant months for this to happen, you are sent home from hospital or maybe your baby was born at home. For the first few days it all seems to pass in a blur, hopefully you’ll have some support from your partner; they will have been allowed to take some time off. You midwife will visit you for the first ten days and then sign you off to a health visitor, then when the dust settles and the flowers start to wilt and the presents stop coming it really hits home that this it, and it’s up to you to feed, clothe and care for this tiny helpless creature.
It’s totally fine to have bad days, we’ve all had days when all you seem to do is feed the baby all day and by the time your partner gets in from work you are still in your pj’s, you haven’t brushed your teeth and there’s a nagging feeling at the back of your mind that if you don’t get away from your little one you may just cry for the rest of the week/month/ year. BUT, and I say but, these feelings come and go. Some days the sun will be shining and you’ll manage to leave the house before lunch, without forgetting nappies, tissues, wipes etc, meet with friends, go to the park or maybe even go to the shops. What is a worry is when you can’t get dressed day in day out, you don’t leave home, you feel unable to confide even with your closest confidant that you
really are not coping. That is when you should be brave and ask for help!
Our society puts huge pressure on Mums to bounce back after giving birth, we have celebs to thank for that, they have cooks, nannies, personal trainers, staff to help them out, but not you and me! We are isolated and often alone. Women quite often go from being in charge of a whole department in their working lives to feeling inadequate and alone as a parent. In India, women are expected to stay in for 40 days after giving birth, they rest and their baby is brought to them for feeding or cuddles. Grandmothers, Aunts, Sisters all live locally and are on hand to help. Here, our families are often scattered and we don’t have that immediate support.
If you do have feelings that you are unable to cope it is vital that you seek professional help. PND is often pushed aside, a taboo subject one that some people are uncomfortable to talk about.
Finding time to do something for your self is very important and could be the first step in feeling better. Research shows that massage is very beneficial for new mums; a study carried out with teenage mums showed that their anxiety levels dropped significantly in the group that was given massage. They were also offered baby massage instruction, this helped with the bonding process and the mums felt more able to connect with their babies, thus relieving feelings of guilt and resentment.
With the added benefit of essential oils used at this time various issues can be addressed, feelings of guilt, anger or total blinding tiredness can be relieved. By choosing oils that nurture the feminine women can feel more in control with their new found role as a parent.
There is no reason why the baby shouldn’t come with you to a treatment, however if there is someone you can leave the baby with for just an hour then you may benefit even more from the massage.
Essential Oil of
Rose (Rosa damascena) enhances and encourages women to tune in to their feminine side.
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) balances hormones;
Neroli (Citrus aurantium var .flos) uplifts the spirits and is a gentle sedative.
Maychang (Litsea cubeba) a wonderful fizzy lemon sherbet smelling Essential oil has antidepressant qualities to uplift and invigorate. These are just a tiny selection of oils that may benefit you at this time.
from the seed is on hand to offer you postnatal support through massage, I’m more than happy if you want to bring your baby along or you may wish to join a class to learn baby massage to promote the bond between you. Either way asking for help is not a weakness, it’s a joy for me to be able to offer you some help. All treatments and classes are available in fiveways, Brighton.
For more info please visit www.fromtheseed.co.uk
