Apna khayal rakhna!

 I took my granny-in-law to the physiotherapy session. It was difficult for her to lift her arms above shoulder level. Her arms had become stiff. Her teeth weren't in a good state too. She feared going to a dentist so that aggravated her agony.


The therapist said that she hadn't been prescribed proper calcium, folic acid, or multivitamins post-delivery and the long-term effects are making her suffer.


When we returned home, granny said that it was true, "We never had supplements or anything of that sort. After multiple pregnancies, we just ate homemade food and started to do the household chores as there were so many family members in the house. It was a joint family and I had to do my part".


Having elderly people is a boon for us. Following her advice, I didn't even think of missing the post-delivery care and routine. Even if it meant getting up at dawn, after sleeping late at night, baby getting up several times.



But following a routine is a must.

Taking an oil massage before the bath. Several oils like sesame, coconut, olive, and almond are used according to the season and the area you live in. These are good for not only our skin, but they hydrate our exhausted bodies, postpartum. Head massage relaxes us and has a cooling effect. These massages are done mostly after normal delivery. If it's a C-section, then you've to consult the gynecologist, after the stitches are healed.


A warm water bath, preferably adding neem leaves, soothes the aches. Neem leaves are a natural antiseptic and have healing effects.


Also, chickpea flour mixed with turmeric and milk can be used instead of soap. It is safer than chemical added soaps.


The fragrant dhoori (smoke) from burning the coal and adding ajwain, dillseeds, dhoop, guggul (gum resin), vekhand (sweet flagroot), is a traditional method followed after the bath.


Also, binding the belly with a cotton cloth proves helpful in pushing back the stomach muscles. Also makes our posture healthy for breastfeeding.

Covering our head and ears properly is also advised, so that we are not exposed to colds and catch infections, for us or the baby.


Taking enough rest while the baby sleeps. Avoiding getting emotional or crying during such times is also very important. The postpartum period makes the mother vulnerable. She may feel depressed or exhausted. Receiving help from others is necessary during this period. Talking to our mothers or grandmothers, sharing our fears, and asking gynecologists anything and everything about baby care or self-care are equally important. I suggest that we should also talk to our husbands about what we feel and he should know what we are going through.



Eating healthy is the top priority as we have to regain all the lost energy. The nine months of pregnancy and the delivery fatigue take a toll on our health. We need to feed the baby too. So diet and nutrition must be all-inclusive. The traditional Gond laddoos are full of calcium, boost stamina, and immunity. Having kheer with dry fruits for breakfast heals our body and helps lactation.

Vegetables, leafy vegetables, sprouts, whole grains, cereals, fresh fruits, if you are a non-vegetarian then add chicken soup or paya soup, eggs, the meal should contain all of this.


India is blessed with Ayurveda and there are some really good tonics available. So after consulting your doctor you can have them along with the prescribed supplements.


Rheumatism, arthritis, joint pains, decaying of teeth, backaches, knee pains, and all such ailments are a result of not taking care postpartum. Also, proper exercises must be done, taking advice from the doctors.


The baby is the priority no doubt, but prioritising ourselves, and our health is definitely essential. Only if we are fit, we can look after the baby, and see him grow up.


PC: Shutterstock


AUTHOR'S NOTE:  Motherhood is a perfect mix of chaos and love, no doubt we learn from experiences but we shouldn't ignore the advice from practiced mothers so that the chaos is sorted and only love remains.


Some points in the blogs are referred from Nutritional care from google.


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