What’s An Ayur Doula?

Heidi Nordlund Pregnancy + Childbirth 2,539 Views

Ayur Doula is not a city in India. It’s not something you eat or drink, and it’s not a fancy way to ask if you are a Doula.

You are probably familiar with the word Doula which is a Greek word for a woman who helps other women. A Doula offers practical and emotional support before, during and after childbirth. She is usually certified after receiving formal training to do her work.

There are various types of doulas: pregnancy doulas, birth doulas, labor doulas, postpartum doulas, and then there are Ayur Doulas.

Ayur Doula is the title given to someone who has completed a certified training as an Ayurvedic Postpartum Doula or Specialist. In addition to serving the role of a postpartum doula, an Ayur Doula understands the Ayurvedic principles involved in restoring strength, vitality and balance in maternal and infant physiology after childbirth.

An Ayur Doula offers specialized services to new mothers and their babies. These include a mother’s and baby’s Abhyanga (massage with warm herbalized oil), Ayurvedic cooking and herbal preparations.

There are so many benefits that mom, dad and baby will enjoy from Ayurvedic postpartum treatments and specialized cooking. Here are just a few.

Ayurvedic Postpartum Care Benefits For Moms And Dads

Confidence in parenting
Increased prolactin allowing for motherly feelings and milk supply, and feelings of protectiveness in dads
Enhanced bonding with baby

Benefits For Baby

Stronger immunity and vitality
Balanced weight and healthy hormonal function
Ideal bone growth and muscle coordination
Proper digestion and elimination
Improved sleep

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the science of life and a system of ancient natural medicine recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Ayurvedic medicine is the only medical science to focus on your own unique physical, mental and spiritual balance.

According to Ayurveda, one of the most sacred periods in a woman’s life is the 42 days or six weeks after delivering her baby. This time is considered even more important than the pregnancy itself because the new mother is as delicate as her newborn baby. The changes that happen physiologically after the baby suddenly leaves the womb are more dramatic than the gradual changes during pregnancy. This dramatic change has an immense impact on the mother’s emotional and mental state that naturally causes severe imbalances. If not properly attended to these imbalances lead to depression, psychosis and other psychiatric disorders.

Understanding how to balance the doshas in a new mother with Ayurveda can prevent a lot of problems such as postpartum depression and colic in babies. Therefore, it is with great excitement that I share with you Ayurvedic Postpartum Care and what women can do to prepare for postpartum in the best possible way.

Stay tuned for my next blog where you will learn more about Ayurvedic principles and imbalances that occur after childbirth.