It’s understandable that you are feeling disconnected and overwhelmed after the challenging birth and NICU experience. Many new mothers, especially those who go through a preterm birth or face complications, experience emotional struggles like sadness, anxiety, and a lack of connection with their baby. This is often referred to as postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety, and it’s important to recognize that these feelings are valid and you are not alone.
Here are some steps and Ayurvedic remedies to help you cope with this emotional and physical strain:
1. Addressing Emotional Health:
Acknowledge Your Feelings: The first step is to accept that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Caring for a preterm baby, especially one who required NICU support, can be an emotional rollercoaster.
Talk to Someone: Whether it’s your partner, family, friends, or a therapist, having someone to talk to about your feelings can help reduce stress and emotional burden. If you’re feeling disconnected, it may also be helpful to talk to a counselor specializing in postpartum depression.
Breathing and Meditation: Simple breathing exercises like pranayama (breathing exercises) or mindfulness meditation can help calm your mind. Deep breathing, even for just 5 minutes a day, can reduce anxiety and improve your emotional state.
Massage: Ayurvedic Abhyanga (self-oil massage) with warm sesame oil or almond oil can be incredibly soothing. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and improve your mood.
2. Ayurvedic Remedies for Postpartum Recovery:
Ashwagandha: Known as a tonic for emotional health, it helps restore mental and physical energy and reduce stress. It can help uplift your mood, promote restful sleep, and reduce feelings of sadness.
Brahmi: Another calming herb, Brahmi is excellent for reducing stress and anxiety while promoting clarity and emotional well-being.
Shatavari: Particularly useful for new mothers, it helps in restoring energy and balancing hormones. It is also supportive for the digestive system, especially if you’re feeling low appetite or digestive discomfort.
Amla: If you’re feeling weak or fatigued, Amla (Indian gooseberry) can help restore vitality, improve immunity, and support digestion.
3. Supporting Your Physical Health:
Hydration: If you’re feeling dryness in your throat area, it could be a sign of dehydration or insufficient fluid intake. Drinking warm herbal teas (like ginger tea or cumin-coriander-fennel tea) can help soothe your throat and improve digestion.
Herbal Teas for Appetite: If you’re struggling with a loss of appetite, try cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds tea or ginger tea, which can help stimulate your digestive system and encourage hunger.
Nutrition: Focus on easy-to-digest, nutritious meals like khichdi, soups, and smoothies. Include healthy fats (ghee, coconut oil), protein (lentils, beans, eggs), and vitamins (leafy greens, fruits).
Proper Rest: This is crucial for your mental and physical recovery. If possible, try to get help at home for a few hours a day so you can rest. Sleep deprivation can exacerbate feelings of sadness and disconnection.
4. Reconnecting with Your Baby:
Gentle Touch: Skin-to-skin contact, even if it’s just holding your baby close or cuddling, can help you feel more connected to your baby and vice versa. It also promotes bonding and can help both of you feel more secure.
Small Steps: Try to start small by spending a few moments each day looking at your baby, talking softly, or singing to them. Over time, this may help you form a deeper emotional connection.
Patience with Yourself: Healing emotionally after a preterm birth takes time. It’s important to be patient and gentle with yourself as you navigate both the physical and emotional recovery process.
5. Seeking Professional Support:
If your feelings of sadness and disconnection persist, it may be important to speak with a doctor or therapist who specializes in postpartum depression. Sometimes, there may be a need for additional support, such as counseling or even medication to help manage depression or anxiety.
6. Ayurvedic Support for Lactation (if considering breastfeeding):
If you want to resume breastfeeding, Shatavari and Fenugreek are excellent herbs to support lactation. You can also drink ajwain (carom seeds) water, which is believed to promote breast milk production.
