10 Centimeters

By Valerie Lynn, Post-Pregnancy Wellness Specialist Why does this happen? I hear time and time again, “I’ve lost the baby weight, or most of it, but my stomach still sticks out a little. It never recovered fully.” Ah the dreaded pregnancy pooch. Why does this happen? When the baby and placenta are birthed, this leaves an empty cavity in the lower abdomen. This empty space, that a growing baby once occupied, is temporarily filled by the internal organs that drop down as a baby is no longer pushing them up. As the organs shrink and reposition back to their normal place they lie on the distended, or super-stretched, abdominal muscles. In order for the female body to accommodate a growing baby the hormone called, relaxin, is released which allows the body to become malleable. This means it causes the ligaments to become supple. Ligaments hold the pelvis bones together, when the ligaments are supple this allows the pelvis bones to loosen to prepare for childbirth. This compromises joint stability and may cause pain when you sit for long periods, get out of a low seat, stand, walk, bend and lift or even roll over in bed. Relaxin makes the spinal joints flexible stretching or accentuating the curvature of the spine causing a shift in the center of gravity forward. The hormone also softens the abdominal muscles and skin to stretch beyond whatever was thought possible. The relaxin hormone remains in a woman’s body for three months; and if breastfeeding a small percentage of the hormone remains constant. As the process for the internal organs to shrink and reposition take place, they are supported by the abdominal muscles, that are at the same time, equally working to shrink back to their normal size. However, the muscles must cope with the constant weight of the internal organs pressing outwardly on them as they are trying to contract. The organs will eventually reposition and the muscles will shrink, but from the pressure of the organs the stomach muscles may not recover fully, ending up permanently stretched. It is like over extending a rubber band that never gets back to it’s original tight length. Another reason for a post-baby tummy pooch can be cased by a separation of the muscles from the stomach or diastasis recti. The separation of the “six-pack” muscles, or rectus abdominis. This condition is very common during and after pregnancy which according to recent studies effect up to 60%, or approximately 2.4 million women. One way to prevent the pregnancy pooch is to support a pregnant tummy with a support wrap from the third trimester to relieve the stomach and back muscles, and to wrap the core from the first week after giving birth up to six weeks.

This is a combination of warm pumpkin pie, protein-packed nut butter, and hints of earthy spices for a warm smoothie recipe. Click on this link for a yummy smoothie recipe that both heals and warms a new mom from the inside-out! pumpkinsmoothie

MATERNITY LEAVE ALONE does not guarantee a healthy, strong, and balanced recovery from child birth. A new mom should manage her own recovery from pregnancy and childbirth, especially within the first 6-8 weeks. If you are a pregnant or new mom or someone connected to such a woman; or a child birth worker and would like to know specific modernized guidelines regarding recuperation from pregnancy that doctors don’t us please send me an email and I will send you easy to understand basics that will have a BIG impact on recovery. EVERY women is susceptible to Postpartum Depression. I was and I overcame it. valerie@postpregnancywellness.com Adele opens up about her postpartum depression http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/01/health/adele-postpartum-depression/

The Mommy Plan Recipe Book – Healing Meals: Simple Recipes for New MomsNew medicine for new Moms. The recipes created for Healing Meals are only part of the recovery process all new mothers should know about. Recipes have been carefully and lovingly created based on the nutritional guidelines in The Mommy Plan.  Managing recovery from pregnancy and childbirth is a MUST. The sooner this is realized the sooner we can get the right information to all pregnant moms. Click on the link below for a detailed recipe how to make a nutrient, Cartlidge dense broth that is soooo healing for a new mama!  You’ll be surprised at the TAKE-AWAY TIPS provided to up your broth! FREE AWESOME RECIPE!      chicken-broth-for-a-post-baby-mommys-soul

Melisa Pomero Writer in GearMonster The individually or a combination of lavender, bergamot and lemon essential oils are commonly recommended as a postpartum mood-booster. Bergamont is one of the best known essential oils used to enhance one’s mood, depression and to alleviate stress and anxiety. Lemon is a clean, sharp, citrusy, mood uplifter and enhancer. Lavender is known for treating anxiety, insomnia, depression, and restlessness. Using individually:  Rub 2 -3 drops into your hands and cupping your mouth and nose. Breathe in the oil slowly for 10 seconds, hold for 10 seconds and breath out for 10 seconds. You can also rub oil directly on (should be high-quality) the stomach and bottom of the feet. Combination Ratio: Bergamont – 3 drops, Lemon – 2 drops, Lavender – 4 drops In a Diffuser Blend your preferred essential oils in a 5ml dark bottle and mix well. Roll the bottle swiftly between the palms of your hands to ensure that the essential oils blend well with each other. Use a larger bottle for more ingredients. Add 5 – 6 drops of the blend to a diffuser and enjoy the wonderful aroma that is released. Bath Oil Add up to 18 drops of your preferred blend of essential oils to your bath water and soak for up to 20 minutes. Bath Salts Mix up to 15 drops of your essential oil blend with a cup of Epsom salt and add it to your bath water. Relax in the bath for a period of between 20 – 30 minutes. Massage Oil Add 4 – 5 drops of your essential oil blend to a carrier oil like jojoba or sweet almond oil and massage it into your body. Concentrate on reflexology points under the feet and the temples for best relief.

from The Mommy Planner By Valerie Lynn, Author of The Mommy Planer “Every woman’s recovery from pregnancy and childbirth is as unique as she is.”    Valerie Lynn MATERNITY LEAVE ALONE does not guarantee a healthy, strong, and balanced recovery from childbirth. A new mom needs to manage her own recovery from pregnancy and childbirth, especially within the first 6-8 weeks, and not just let it happen. EVERY woman is susceptible to Postpartum Mental and Anxiety Disorders (PMAD). I was and I overcame it. YOUR TAKEAWAY Maternity leave alone is not enough IF a mother’s recovery is not managed. The #1 complication from pregnancy is recovery. Over 1,000,0000 women, or 1 in 7 new mothers, experience Postpartum Mood Disorders (PPMD). Maternity leave + The Mommy Plan = A Roadmap to Recovery After Pregnancy Living in a Do-It-Yourself culture Ladies, we HAVE no choice but to plan for our recovery from pregnancy and childbirth. We live in a D-I-Y culture and self-help world and no one is going to see to our health but us.  Don’t risk having a weakened and prolonged recovery from pregnancy and childbirth. It’s NOT supposed to be THAT long! The female body is incredible. After nearly ten months of pregnancy and then going through the process of birthing a baby the body quickly begins its recovery within hours after the placenta is birthed. A post-baby body quickly begins its hormonal “re-balancing process” due to the severe drop in hormone level from 300% above normal while pregnant to 50% less than normal level. The process of releasing the retained elements of water, fat, and trapped air within the body also begin within a week and normally last up to six weeks. I refer to this period as Phase I: 0 to 6 Weeks – “The Healing Window of Opportunity”. It is important that a new mother understands that “her body’s healing process, or transition back to a non-pregnant state”, begins much sooner than expected. This realization allows her to manage her recovery through specific post-natal nutrition, personal post-baby body care, and activities. A new mother must work on her overall health in addition to taking care of her newborn. Managing A stronger recovery allows a mother to cope with stress and the demands of a newborn as well as bodily functions such as the supply of breast milk. The country of Malaysia is a global benchmark as it has the lowest rates of PMAD in the world at just 3%.  In Malaysia, evidence-based recovery programs are followed the average recovery time is normally 3-4 months. My tips are based on tenants of the Malaysian postnatal recovery programs. The following are five essential actions a mother can take from the day she gives birth, do the days and weeks that follow giving birth that positively supports and encourages the body’s natural healing process. 1. Herbal Feminine Wash NOT a douche. During labor, a woman’s cervix dilates or opens, 10cm to allow for the birth of a baby. Therefore, it must also close 10cm; whether a cesarean or a natural birth has occurred. The first time a new mama wants to get clean she should use an all-natural herbal feminine wash, NOT a douche, that will allow her to cleanse, refresh and deodorize the perineum area. However, more importantly, the ingredients should have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial healing properties. It is not uncommon for new mothers to contract an internal infection through the perineum area due to the cervix not fully closing for 4-6 weeks. Tears, wounds and repaired lacerations are also susceptible to bacterial infection. A herbal feminine wash that promotes immediate healing of tears and wounds should be used every day for the first 14 days which is the approximate time for tears and abrasions the be healed. A herbal feminine wash can be used as a wash in the shower/bathtub, peri-spray bottle or as a sitz bath. Nothing should be inserted into the vagina. If you aren’t familiar with the different ways to prepare and enjoy a sitz bath read this simple post. https://www.wikihow.com/Take-a-Sitz-Bath 2. Keep taking prenatal vitamins A new mother should bring her prenatal vitamins to the hospital, birthing center or wherever she gives birth and continue taking them until they are finished. At her six-week check-up, she should consult with her doctor to evaluate how her recovery is progressing as she may need to continue to take her prenatal vitamins for another month or so. A recovering post-baby body continues to have special nutritional needs as when pregnant which the prenatal vitamins contribute to. 3. Replenish EFAs or Omega 3, 6, & 9 4. Exposure to Chemicals Interferes with Recovery There is a compelling belief that man-made chemicals interfere with the initial stages of hormonal re-balancing that takes place within the first 7-10 days after birth. The following are categories of common household and personal products containing chemicals that we may not realize we are exposing ourselves to daily. Chemicals impact our body at the best of times; at one of our most vulnerable times, after childbirth, chemicals have the effect of slowing-down the re-balancing of hormones and release of retained water and fat. It is recommended to avoid or switch to non-chemical based brands during this period. Personal care: shampoo, conditioner, soap, moisturizer, toothpaste, cosmetics, lotions, deodorant and additional products. Household: Cleaning, dish-washing, air fresheners and so on. Agricultural: pesticides, food wax, fertilizers, gardening chemicals, insect repellant and so on. Food: preservatives, additives, including processed, caffeine, fast food, junk food, take-out and soft drinks. Chemicals to avoid are just as important as products to avoid. I regularly refer to the Environmental Working Group website to assess the rating of any product I use.  Check out the chemical rating of the products you regularly use – you may be surprised. 5. LIQUIDS: Water, Broths and Herbal Teas Water isn’t the only element a mother needs for her recovery, the expulsion of built of toxins and a strong supply of breast-milk. In addition to water homemade broths and herbal

A rainbow baby is a name coined for a healthy baby born after losing a baby due to miscarriage, infant loss, stillbirth, or neonatal death. The name “rainbow baby” comes from the idea of a rainbow appearing in the sky after a storm, or after a dark and turbulent time. The term has gained popularity on blogs and social media in recent years and has come to symbolize hope and healing.