Pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period are times that can be stressful and even overwhelming for women. Natural solutions can bring comfort to those who need it. Recommendations from experts.
Relaxation in the water: to connect with the baby
“The idea is to bring the pregnant woman into a state of deep relaxation”, explains the doula Laurélène Chambovet. For an hour, she lets herself be guided and carried by a professional. With her eyes closed, her ears immersed in water, she then feels herself in a cocoon. A period of time during which the practitioner gives his breathing to that of the mother-to-be and performs movements according to the stage of pregnancy. The pregnant woman learns to let go, becomes aware of her body and plunges fully into motherhood. “It is not uncommon for future mothers to tell me ‘I understand better what my baby is going through inside of me'”.
>> Relaxation also relieves tension: This practice improves venous return and relieves muscle and joint pain. “We can, for example, loosen the tensions of the lower back by creating mobility and performing undulatory movements. Slow and gentle gestures, adapted to the needs of each.”
Sophrology: to let go
“Everyone is able to let go, the key is to allow themselves to do so,” said Claudine Granger, sophrologist. This is the whole point of this practice.
“Generally, pregnant women are very worried. They tend to see the glass half empty,” notes our expert. During the different sessions, the expectant mother will learn to relax and cultivate a “positive attitude” through stress management, breathing, visualization, anticipation and NLP exercises – understand neurolinguistic programming, or how develop successful behaviors.
>> Sophrology also helps to project without anxiety. notes our expert. The challenge is to get the expectant mother to find her own resources to overcome the difficulties. “We are going to work on her anxieties and on the idea that she has things to herself. Many people fear the pain of contractions at the time of childbirth. But you must not stop at this thought, otherwise it may really hurt. ‘be difficult on D-Day. The idea is to help her take a step back from events, while making her autonomous, and find a kind of balance in her thoughts. ” A baggage that the mother-to-be can use throughout her life.
Osteopathy: to relieve everyday ailments
“At the time of pregnancy, the mother’s uterus unfolds like a hot air balloon, which tends to cause lower back pain, explains Catherine Rybus, osteopath. By performing gentle gestures, the osteopath specializing in obstetrics can rebalance the pelvis and lower back. ” This practice also optimizes the mobility of the pelvis and perineum in order to prepare the body for childbirth.
>> Osteopathy also prepares after childbirth. The virtues of osteopathy do not stop at the threshold of the labor room. It has a special place in the physical recovery of the mother in the postpartum period. “Pregnancy represents a hell of a job for the body! The body had to adapt to its occupant, ”adds Catherine Rybus. The work consists of restoring mobility to the pelvis and re-harmonizing the visceral and urinary sphere, “to avoid partial incontinence”. It is also possible to have an osteopath for the sequelae of a tear or episiotomy. “The idea is to unwind tensions, but also to understand if certain emotions are not” blocked “in the scar. “
Plants: to live well the postpartum period
“Calendula and Aloe vera gel (without additives and applied locally) promote healing” explains Véronique Legrand, naturopath. “Nettle (in infusion), the ultimate postpartum recovery plant, reduces muscle pain associated with the retraction of the uterus, mineralizes and strengthens the mother, and stimulates lactation,” adds Véronique Legrand. “Blackcurrant (in infusion or in food) allows, for its part, to restore energy”, adds Julia Simon, also naturopath.
>> Plants also soothe anxieties. Here, our main allies are essential oils. Some have soothing properties and act against anxiety, such as “EO of Roman chamomile, petit grain bigarade, but also mandarin and real lavender”, recommends Véronique Legrand. Others act on sleep, such as tangerine and sweet orange (essence of zest), “but be careful, they are photosensitizing”, she warns. Still others have detox properties, such as lemon and grapefruit. The ideal is to consult a naturopath who will make you tailor-made according to your needs.
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