11 Postpartum Healing Tools
“Although your birth journey is complete, the call to self-knowing is endless. Continually answer the call to love yourself—exactly as you’re unfolding and evolving.”
— ANCIENT MAP FOR MODERN BIRTH
They say the mother is born with the baby. This rebirthing comes with a tremendous amount of healing. Both outside and inside. Reconnecting back to a body that is no longer housing a baby. While simultaneously learning all the ways your soul, mind, and body have changed.
As with each trimester, we enter a time of transformation. While pregnant, the body adjusts to growing the being inside. After birth, the body adjusts to the baby being outside. There is no way to fully prepare for what this adjustment will be or what the fourth trimester will bring.
For me, in the fourth trimester, I felt completely unraveled. Like a spool that had lost its yarn. I didn't recognize myself or my body. I struggled to understand that the being I had come to know so well inside me, was now outside of me.
Early on, I wrote my birth story to help me comprehend what I had just experienced. Writing my story gave me the chance to cry about the parts that shocked me. To see that I had just gone through something massive. To let myself be an unspun spool.
However, as the weeks unfolded into motherhood, I slowly re-spun my spool and could recognize that I was still me after all.
The below toolkit includes everything that helped me find heal. Small things, like eye patches and big things, like eating my placenta. Guided me back to myself. I hope these tools can give you the same comfort they gave me.
Remember this: you will return mama and you’ll be amazed at how strong and remarkable you truly are. Below is a roundup of products and tools I turned to as part of my return journey.
1. BODILY
Bodily is not only a powerful resource for learning all things pregnancy and beyond. Their products also provide comfort during the early days of postpartum.
I love that Bodily offers bundles and recovery kits like their Care for Birth Box. Which includes everything you need right after giving birth. I added this to my registry and loved receiving it as a gift. I also can’t recommend their postpartum briefs enough, I live in them for months after giving birth.
2. THE FOURTH TRIMESTER JOURNAL
This guided journal holds your hand while processing your birth experience and the journey unfolds. The questions are thoughtful, gentle, and needed while comprehending this massive life change.
Though I didn't have this journal at the very beginning. It was still a needed tool for my healing and I made sense after about a month after birth.
3. Mom Multi Support Pack
We’re often told to continue taking our prenatal vitamins after giving birth (which is fine). But I love that Perelel has developed a postnatal vitamin. The Perelel Mom Multi includes essential nutrients for after birth. Such as B vitamins, vitamin D, folate, iron, biotin, collagen, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Also included, is a stress support blend made with one of my number one favorite herbs, Ashwagandha. This traditional ancient Indian herb has long been used for its anti-stress properties. It’s one I’ve turned to often in my life, and I notice a huge difference in my nervous system after taking it. Also included is L-theanine. An amino acid that promotes relaxation without drowsiness. Along with improving focus—a huge help for postpartum brain fog and mood.
4. IMBŌDHI ONESIES
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, I live in my IMBŌDHI onesies.
Throughout pregnancy and postpartum, they stayed my #1 go-to. Not only are they extremely comfortable, they also hug the body in all the places that need a little support—especially in postpartum. However, I’d have to say my favorite thing about the brand is their dedication to sustainable, ethical, and eco-conscious production practices.
Click the link below for $15 off full-price items
5. WISHGARDEN HERBS
Goat’s Rue: I’ve tried lots of blends and different herbs to increase milk supply. Nothing has compared to taking this Goat’s Rue tincture. I’ll even notice a dip if I haven’t taken it that day. I add it to my water and sip on it throughout the day or add the drops to my morning lemon water.
AfterEase: I didn’t experience after-birth pain from my first birth, just a little bit of cramping. But with my second (completely unmedicated and at home), I found the afterpain to be pretty uncomfortable. This blend of soothing herbs like yarrow and motherwort, I noticed a lot of soothing right away.
6. HAAKA LADYBUG
With my first and my second baby, breast pads have been my best friend. However, I notice how soaked they become and was bummed to feel my milk waisted. I bought this to collect on letdown and with some extra encouragement from a friend, began using it consistently. It’s been truly life-changing.
I have a robust store of milk just from collecting and no pumping! It takes a minute to get used to and you do have to find your rhythm with grabbing it on your way to a feed but once you get your routine down, it so worth it.
7. EYE PATCHES
In the early days of postpartum, (and always) self-care needs to be a top priority. In the fog of sleepless nights having something as simple as de-puffing eye patches to put on in the morning can make a world of difference. At least they have for me. Using eye masks has felt like a gentle hug from myself to myself. Doing this is only one example of self-care rituals you can turn to in early mothering to honor yourself and your incredible body.
8. PLACENTA CAPSULES
It was a mom friend of mine who capsulized her placenta way before I was even thinking about pregnancy. I loved the concept and knew I would want to do the same thing.
During our search for a birth doula, we found Whitney who also capsulized placentas. Not only did I get to have her birth companionship but she also honored my placenta after labor and turned it into capsules and tinctures. I can honestly say eating my placenta lifted me from the moods and depression that came in the early weeks of postpartum.
The massive hormone shift that happens when the placenta leaves the body is so intense. Eating the placenta helps the body to regulate what it has lost. I'm still taking a dropper of my placenta tincture on days when I need an energetic boost. I've also loved that my placenta nourished my baby for so many months and now it's nourishing me.
9. NYSSA CARE
Nyssa is here to revolutionize the way we care for ourselves. They’re founded on the belief that we shouldn’t have to just “deal with it.” Whether it be period cramps, breast tenderness, or postpartum recovery, their products aim to make it an empowered journey to health and well-being.
“We collaborate with OB-GYNs, pelvic floor therapists, doulas, sex educators and women around the world to ensure that our designs deliver real results that help each of us deal with the physical and emotional transformations that we all share, yet experience in entirely unique ways.”
Their postpartum recovery products range from fourth-trimester recovery underwear, nursing bras, and uterine reusable ice packs (that are also super cute).
Use code: COINCIDE5 for $5 off any order over $99
10. ARNICA
I’ve used arnica here and there in my life, but it wasn’t until my homebirth midwife popped 4 in my mouth while in the middle of transition that I understood how powerful this plant can be for pain. I felt relief in my body immediately (call it a placebo) but it worked! After birth, I used both topical and internal arnica to soothe all the aches and pains that come with giving birth. There are lots of different brands out there so below are the ones that I ended up with but it might take trying a few different forms to feel its effect.
11. MOTHERING FROM YOUR CENTER BOOK
It was in the early days of becoming a mother that I ordered this book. When I realized I needed words of wisdom outside of friends and family to help guide me. This book has been the perfect companion to offer wisdom and comfort during such an unfamiliar time.
I've held onto Tami's words often when I need them most. Her words speak to the power of recognizing that true mothering comes from an innate place deep inside. One that can only be reached when being present and centered. She approaches mothering from a meditative perspective. Instead of one with rules, she offers wisdom for finding your own center in the journey.
