Ayurdoula Intern client report/comments

September 28, 2007

Dear All;

Here is a sampling of an intern's discussion with me and Sonya, her

practicum internship director. I thought you might like to see some

of the behind the scenes. Namaste; Ysha

Dear Lee;

What a wonderful account! Here's my comments in brief, interleaved.

Hi Ladies- I've been having a wonderful 3 days working with

Adrienne (mom), Mike (dad), Aedan (son) and Teresa (grandma). I've

been going over from 10-2ish and have been massaging, cooking,

talking, cleaning, and supporting Adrienne with breastfeeding.

Getting a lot done in 4 hours! How much time with the massaging?

She is healing from her cesarean. Resting and taking it easy.

Today is the first day she hasn't taken the Vicatin (sp?),

Yes, the pain med is Vicadin. Some mothers use essential oils for the

pain; internal in capsules I have a recipe that is strong enough for

surgery (Used that way instead!) and weaker versions. Vaidyas know

herbal options. Topical usually lavender oil, or if stronger,

helichrysum oil works wonderful and prevents the reddening which is so

common and indicating risk of infecton. These oils, especially the

second, also help prevent scarring, itchiness as well as pain and we

have used them right over the bandage with good effect. Also on the

spinal column both at site of epidural needle, and base of skull to

prevent or reverse the common headaches. Sometimes the oil blend

Panaway is best choice for more serious ones w/o the cost of

helichrysum, but for the stitches I prefer the first 2.

its been 6 days. Her stitches are clean and healing, and the area

is pretty bruised.

the oils help this bruising so much too, enhancing oxgenation and

antioxidant effects, easy option to prevent problems healing that

happen to some.

She is cheerful, honest and feeling so supported by her team of

family and me. She unconfident about breastfeeding and has a

different belief system then her mother does on the issue. Which is

difficult when the mother keeps questioning if the baby has had

enough. She appreciates my support and we talk about her uncertanities

and I reassure her. She will be getting a pump which I think will be

a neat way for to be able to see what she produces.

So glad you took that doula basic training, aren't you? How long does

she nurse each side, is baby getting the hind milk? You are oiling

around her breasts also, hopefully, and helping her stay in touch if

any lumpiness comes up? By the way, mothers don't tend to produce as

much with pumps as for a nursing baby, but this is good.

The baby is healthy and ever so precious and grows stronger everyday.

It's interesting to be with new parents and be a witness to all

the uncertanties and gingerly handling. I keep reminding everyone

that they have only been parents for 6 whole days!!

Nice !

I got bit by their tiny dog which was bad. He snapped and got my

finger. I worry that the dog (I'm a dog person, myself) could be a

danger to the baby. The husband, I can tell is aware of that, but that

dog has been their baby for almost 10 years. So it's not a topic they

want to think about yet. Not my business. Needless to say, the dog

and I are on edge with eachother, but I can deal.

I would call on eoils here too. THere are oils for pain, bruising,

antiseptic protections, and a blend called Peace and Calming. Another

for bonding, called...Gentle Baby! Both of the latter have been very

helpful with animals - of different species - feeling more calm and

getting along. For the dog, I'd apply the Peace and Calming to

ears/inside food pads on soft part (let the father do, of course) and

for you, I'd wear it along top of your shoulders, and there are spots

inside from nipples on breast still, towards breast bone. the V in

the shoulders is accupressure point around feeling any victim thing,

the breast fear of loosing control. Or wear wherever you feel called

to put it. Chamomile (and lavender) is also very calming. Dogs

naturally are more protective of family after a baby is born.

Adrienne's elimination is going well and comfortably. She thinks

she'll most likely pass on the bastis. She is gassey after a big bowl

of kitchari, so we'll see if the digestive herbals help. Drinking lots

of her FF tea. Any other tips for gas?

When (what day pp) did she eat the khichadi, and how much water was

used for how much dahl/rice? Were the spices generous, and how much

ghee is used in a meal for her? If she is not used to legumes, this

alone may create problems, but usually really moist/mushy works well

(not our usual khichadi, which I've learned this year is the correct

spelling of this food). What else did she eat that day, and had she

passed? More tips for gas: only warm liquids to drink for a day or

two and see what happens. I love to keep fennel essential oil on

hand, several drops on the tummy are wonderful; other uses also.

Amazing how sensitive that digestive system becomes after birth, isn't

it? Ginger tea, and is there golden-browned garlic in the khichadi?

Massage is modified for just front and sides. She's been napping

(today for almonst 45 minutes) after I finish the massage and wakes up

for her shower and another feeding. Great system when Grandma can

watch the baby.

Very good. She should be able to roll onto tummy soon and enjoy it;

the pressure is valuable and comforting, when she feels ready to try it.

Cracked and sore nipples, especially the left one. We put some

ghee on them today. Any other tips? Remember, just day 6. Her lips

are also dry and cracked. She is good about drinking water and her

teas to stay hydrated.

Yes, been there done that, mine bled. Sunshine/vitamin D is the best.

IN the meantime, coconut oil, ghee, even better vitamin e from

capsules opened. It is a sign also as I understand it that EFA 3s are

low. Highest lignan (barleans or Flora brand) flax oil added to lassi

is a good way to begin; very tasty spun in the blender with some honey

or agave and spices. When she can handle denser, the flax-cheese

recipe (Sonya knows) will be a good regular for her, although the

sunshiine/D may turn her skin around quickly we now know her system

needs more EFA3s.

Night 4, she woke up shaking, not especially cold, just her whole

body rattling. First night home from the hospital.

After surgery we are more delicate than we realize. And what day did

milk come in? Milk fever is usual for 2-3 days, gives this night 5

also. Women after surgery also tend to get hot more, it seems. Let

me know if continues. I believe it is about having to put so much

energy on outer layers/responsibilities, and pitta out of balance this

way (too much push). PItta moms anyway tend to be hot for a few days

then after maybe 3 days massage, their energy goes to take care of

core business and they ask for more covers, to their surprise!

Probably related issues, doshically.

Night 5 she woke up HOT and sweaty. Any comments on these night

tempatures?

Thank you Ladies. This is beautiful work. I'm so lucky to do what

I love.

Namaste

Lee

The moms are so lucky to have you see this and serve in this way.

Many Blessings;

Ysha

September 28, 2007

On 9/27/07, Sonya <sonya wrote:

I would say some of her gas may be from the epidural and any other

meds she may have had.

This is interesting, I had not considered this Sonya. Have you

seen this happen? Certainly the agni shut downs are stronger with

surgery.

I have the experience of having a c-section and being gassy I

think the meds I had directly affected my digestive system in a

turbulent way not o mention the surgery as well. Quite a few women

that I have seen who have had c-sections get tough gas. I had percocet

morphine anesthesia to name some of them they all in some form seem to

increase vata. I don't know if it is true, It is just speculation on

my part, when something doesn't make sense I have to dig deep

sometimes. I feel like it is quite possible though. This sounds

right. We need to check with who might know (Nita Desai?) to speak

accurately though. I know that many of the meds are especially pitta

increasing, according to Dr. David Crowe. The turbulent word is

probably very accurate.

When we look just at the side effects of medicines on their disclosure

papers, you can see the doshic imbalances. Antidepressants, while

covering up the vata imbalances, exacerbate both vata and pitta.

/yo

September 28, 2007

just my .02 worth on the pp recovery drugs. As a postpartum doula, my experience

is that C-section moms are always put on drugs with codeine in them (Percocet,

Vicodin, etc) and they cause gas and constipation. They also disrupt sleep

patterns and don't really help that much with pain. I tell new moms to get off

of them and go to 800 mg ibuprofen as soon as possible, partly because it

addresses the inflammation in addition to the pain. So maybe ayurvedic methods

of addressing inflammation will be more helpful than taking drugs. at any rate

no mom should be taking these drugs for more than 3-4 days.

Vicky York, IBCLC, CPD

Postpartum Care Services

Rogue Valley Area, Oregon

http://mypeoplepc.com/members/vmyork/

http://vmyork.ikarma.com

-

Ysha Oakes

ayurveda

Thursday, September 27, 2007 9:54 PM

PerinatalAyurveda forum Re: Ayurdoula Intern client report/comments