A s we know, the first weeks after the birth of a baby are not easy and represent a real upheaval in the life of a young mother. After nine months of pregnancy and a childbirth that are already trying, many challenges will arise for modern mothers who often continue to take on many tasks, both on a personal and professional level. They will therefore need all their strength to face them. In some cultures, this period is called the " golden month " and, depending on how it unfolds, it is the key to a happy and healthy future for mother and baby. It would therefore be a crucial moment for their physical and mental balance.
In May 2019, Céline CHADELAT and Marie MAHÉ-POULIN published their book Le mois d'or . Since then, this notion has become popular and is often seen on social networks. This book has been liberating for many women for whom this month was often uncomfortable. Indeed, it addresses the postpartum period without taboo and makes the link between the practices of ancient civilizations and current practices.
An ancient practice
In this book, we discover that the tradition of the golden month has its origins in ancestral civilizations. It is a very important period in Indian, Gabonese and many other cultures. According to them, the six weeks after giving birth are an opportunity to give special care to mothers. In China, home help is often recruited during this period and Chinese medicine strives to preserve the mother's good health. Indeed, it is believed that if the mother contracts an illness at this time, it could cause physiological fragilities throughout her life. In Latin America, this period is called the "cuarentena". It requires mothers who have just given birth not to leave their homes for forty days after giving birth. Here again, the goal is to protect the young mother to allow her to recover and avoid weakening her immune system through external infections.
An intense period, full of upheavals to which we must adapt
The golden month is the forty days following childbirth. This period is symbolic of a period of transition, it is the beginning of a new chapter. We also find this reference in biblical stories with the period of Lent. Forty days would be the time needed for humans to accept a major change in life. It is also the time it takes for the mother's body to start functioning normally again. Thus, the six weeks following birth are generally considered a period dedicated to the mother's recovery. However, this can represent a real effort for young mothers today. In our modern and individualistic societies, this special attention to the mother has sometimes been lost and she often has to manage her recovery herself. Indeed, the spouse quickly resumes his professional activity, the family does not necessarily live nearby and friends are busy with their daily lives.
The golden month is therefore a delicate period but certain practices can help you experience the intensity of the first weeks more serenely and make the most of the arrival of your baby! Here are some tips.
Surround yourself well and rest
As seen previously, childbirth and the postnatal period are sources of fatigue and one of the main difficulties encountered by the young mother is the feeling of isolation. The best way to overcome this is to surround yourself with the right people. Don't hesitate to ask your loved ones and talk to them about your difficulties. They will provide you with real moral and logistical support to overcome the challenges of motherhood. The postpartum period is a complex period to experience morally, so it is important to be pampered and to feel loved. This benevolent attention from those around you will allow you to fully experience your first steps in motherhood, to feel soothed and fulfilled.
During this golden month, the watchword is rest! During the first few days, it is preferable for the mother to stay lying down as much as possible to let the changes take place in her body and heal from the pains of childbirth. It should not be forgotten that this event causes bleeding, aches, rapid milk production and other inconveniences to which parents must adapt. A woman who resumes her life too quickly will take the risk of not regaining all her pelvic and abdominal tone, which can be very annoying in the long term (urinary leaks or difficulty reaching orgasm during pre-menopause). So at the beginning, it is better to take it easy! To allow you to recover your strength, do not hesitate to delegate certain tasks to your partner and to sleep as soon as the opportunity arises, especially when your child is sleeping.
Enjoy special moments with baby
The postnatal period is also a timeless moment when the mother discovers (or rediscovers) motherhood and meets her baby. The first glances, the first nights, the first sounds: the afterbirth is a discovery of every moment. However, these moments do not last forever and must be lived fully. During these early days, the newborn is vulnerable and depends entirely on you to live, so he will ask you a lot. This is how the relationship will be woven, through all the gestures of daily life. Carrying your baby, doing skin-to-skin contact, feeding him are all ways to connect with your child and you must abuse them. For some, all this represents a brake on the emancipation of women and this is why many of these gestures have been lost or reduced to a minimum. However, if you feel the need, take responsibility for living fully the first times of your relationship with your child, because it is good for you and him. It's totally normal to be close to your loved ones. Finally, once you're in your little love bubble, what better time to try to get away from the internet?
Taking care of yourself through heat
According to the authors of the book Le Mois d'or , after giving birth, it is important not to neglect yourself and to do yourself some good both physically and mentally. First, adopt a healthy and balanced diet to promote recovery. With fatigue and for some breastfeeding, the desire to cook is not always there and you will often be short of time, so stock up! Concretely, favor hot, nutritious dishes that you enjoy, food will be a good way to comfort yourself. To take care of your body, heat will be your best ally. In addition to its relaxing properties, it will give you the feeling of regaining your energy. Treat yourself to facial steam baths and, if you can, hammam sessions. Postnatal massages will also be a good way to relieve your aches and pains and regenerate yourself. They will spread a feeling of warmth throughout your body. However, baths are not recommended for at least the first three weeks to avoid the risk of uterine infection.
The Rebozo to tighten the pelvis
After six weeks, your gynecologist will check the tone of your perineum and may or may not prescribe rehabilitation. In the meantime, it may be a good idea to start recovering your sensations in your pelvic floor. For this, there is the "rebozo" method, an ancestral technique that has its roots in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. This treatment consists of gently tightening the pelvis using a cotton fabric, the rebozo. Its special weave makes it both strong and adaptable, which offers a very special sensation. It can also be used during pregnancy to support the belly or during childbirth to relieve pain related to contractions. In the postnatal period, the rebozo gives the young mother a feeling of support. This would allow you to quickly regain stability and accelerate the recovery of the pelvic floor. Only some midwives offer to practice this technique and many mothers testify to its effectiveness and benefits.
Of course, there is no miracle recipe for better living the weeks following childbirth. The important thing is to find your balance. We hope that these tips will help you better get through these six weeks following childbirth!