POST PARTUM PRIORITY the traditional way
While obviously nothing was keeping me away from the most precious milestone of the birth of my grandchild - my daughter living on the other side of the world, was only one of some significant challenges - there was more than just the maternal desire and joy to be present. For me (and fortunately my daughter) there is an innate responsibility passed down through generations of women, though sadly these days neglected to our societal and personal detriment.
As most who follow and/or work with me would be aware, on the whole I live and advocate what might be referred to as an old school way of life – living in a more simple way, similar to how those a number of generations before us apparently lived. This has its challenges in this modern day, however, for me the rewards far out weigh the challenges.
Traditionally the pre-conception, pregnancy and post partum period were all considered vitally important times and much emphasis was given to diet and lifestyle, recognising the enormity of creating, growing and recovering from child carrying and delivery. Unfortunately in modern times conceiving, carrying and delivering a child and recovering from the demands of this exceptional time, is all taken for granted and it is these modern times when being very conscious about pre-conception, pregnancy and post partum has never been more important.
Note the emphasis on conscious NOT obsessed.
Be conscious of the health and environment of both parents at the time of conception, be conscious of diet and stress management during pregnancy, be conscious of nurturing and nourishing the mother post partum and that’s where I come in with travelling across the globe to be with my daughter… These days we have shifted from an emphasis on the mother in the post partum period to sole attention being on the baby and even the value of the way we do that these days is debatable. I believe that all a newborn needs is a well rested and well nourished Mumma and after what her body has been through it’s really a no brainer that the emphasis needs to go back to everything being about her. EVERYTHING!!!
As I mentioned earlier and as egotistical as it is, I feel fortunate that my daughter has similar views to mine in regard to the importance of the pre-conception, pregnancy and post partum periods.
Similar not the same.
I will be here til March, conscious that the new mother must be nurtured and nourished for a good 4-6 weeks post delivery. I'd love to do so for much longer.
As I share about this experience, it will be more from a sharing traditional wisdom perspective than personal as I am conscious of Chloe and Jordan’s privacy.
Please don’t think these posts aren’t for you if you aren’t, won’t be or can’t be pregnant. I believe this is vital information for all of us to know in order to be supportive, practically and/or emotionally. Particularly so today with the not so helpful side of social media and soooo much criticism,eye rolling and finger pointing. It’s truly the last thing an expectant or new Mumma needs. Traditionally the whole community, albeit a village with the same belief system, supported the Mumma and cared for the baby. These days, due in part to the global village we now live in, many women are isolated with no family near or even in the same country. Let’s see if we can recover some of that beautiful, helpful, loving support to this phenomenal and transformative stage of life be it in person or via the many forms of connection and communication. Ultimately we all are affected to some degree.
On that note I need to express just how grateful I am to everyone who made it possible in a variety of ways, for me to be here and fulfill this incredible and humbling maternal role. It takes a village...
Image credit Willow Arlenea