The care taken around pregnancy should not end with childbirth. After delivery, both the mother and baby will have health concerns that can be addressed through alternative medicine.

Maternal Physical Changes After Birth
During the 6-8 weeks after the birth, the mother’s body begins to return to its prepregnant self. Her reproductive organs shrink and she begins to lose her pregnancy weight. Pregnancy demarcations, such as skin pigmentation and enhanced hair growth, fade away. Estrogen and progesterone levels plummet and the vagina regains its original tone.

The uterus gradually begins to involute, or shrink, and returns to its normal size within 5-6 weeks. Nursing and uterine massage assist in this process and, during the first few days, prevent excessive blood loss. It is normal for a bloody vaginal discharge, called lochia, to flow from the uterus for 4-8 weeks after the birth. At first, lochia is heavy and red, but it gradually decreases in volume and changes to pale pink and finally to a white, yellowish, or brown color. Breast-feeding, body position, and activity may increase the flow of the lochia. Afterpains caused by uterine contractions may occur during the first week after birth, especially while nursing or if the mother has given birth previously. Resting and deep breathing will allay some of this discomfort.

The perineal area may be sore, particularly if an episiotomy was performed or if there is a perineal tear. The cervical opening decreases in size, however there remains a somewhat wider aperture than before. The labia shrinks, but remains larger, looser, and darker in color than its prepregnant state.

Besides the delivery of the baby and placenta, and the loss of a cup or more of blood, weight sheds gradually over the next few months to a year. At the beginning, frequent urination and increased perspiration expel up to five pounds of fluid during the first five days. Excess fat slowly recedes with exercise and a sensible diet. Lax abdominal muscles regain tone in about six weeks. There are mixed opinions and experiences on whether nursing aids in weight loss. Stretch marks will fade, but not completely unless precautions have been made during the pregnancy.

Maternal Emotional Changes
The emotional impact of new parenthood is one of the most difficult alterations to come to terms with. Some women experience much anxiety about caring for a new infant, while others experience mood swings from exhilaration to depression. Most mothers, both new and experienced, feel extremely tired. Unless the mother takes adequate and proper rest, chronic fatigue can intensify the physical and emotional challenges of adjusting to a new baby.

Breast-Feeding
Nursing mothers have an increased level of the hormones prolactin, often called the mothering hormone, and oxytocin (a pituitary hormone that stimulates release of milk from the mammary glands). These hormones, together with the baby’s instinctive sucking motions, are essential to the cycle of milk production. For the first 3-4 days, the infant will feed on colostrum, an easily digested liquid that is high in protein and antibodies and low in fat and carbohydrates. The mother’s milk ducts do not start producing mature milk until around 2-4 days after birth.