PPD and related mood imbalances are considered a big mystery by many experts. At least they are realizing the need to address it. Ayurvedic medicine and the wise women traditions of many cultures around the world that do similar things find it not any big mystery at all. "Treating it" becomes very difficult with attachment to contemporary lifestyle and dietary patterns as well as with the exacerbating combined with symptomatic cover up influences of the SSRI medications used these days, and for this AyurDoulas refer up to a medically licensed professional who hopefully is also trained in Ayurvedic understanding.

It is very interesting (and confirms my many years experience) that the goodly long list of "postpartum mood disorders" may almost all be found on the list of symptoms of imbalance of one of the three metabolic principles as defined by Ayurveda. The others are easily seen on another of the 3 metabolic principles, called pitta dosha, and no surprise given that the American population is about 80% pitta dominant in their constitution or imbalances, reports Dr. Triguna, tip Ayurvedic physician from India. Ayurvedic medicine finds that restoring balance to that metabolic principle called VATA dosha is the primary guidance in effective postpartum care and mood balancing support, whether people know it or not. It gives us an easy framework to understand also, which I'll touch on today.

Current assessment by western and common sense methods are unfortunately overlooking the other common symptoms of imbalance and their causes in very basic terms. Examples include loss of fluids (favor moisture, tub soaks, teas, moist/mushy foods), dryness (favor oiliness, external and internal, rectal and oral), tendency to cold (favor WARMTH internal and external, drinks and foods), weak and irregular appetite, hunger, thirst, digestive strength (favor freshly cooked, serve warm, easy to digest etc) and bowel function (favor oily and moist, stewed fruits, soupiness in this case instead of dry/bulk/raw) and others. All these in excess not only can interfere with hormonal balance, happy infant tummies (contributing to buildup into colic) and mood imbalances until corrected.

Although it is true that some of our herbal repertoire are more specific around support for this mood or that on the "PPMDs" list (such as anxiolitics, sedatives, calming, refreshing, enhancing clarity, grounding, mentally strengthening, creating experience of connectivity, serotonin enhancing), it is still what we call "vata pacification" that is primary to help restore balance for all these emotions.

We have three primary focuses in care to prevent problems in the first place, of course TLC and REST being #1. MAternal nutrition is a very BIG piece of the picture we will call #2 including correct use of culinary herbals and generous amount of good fats we call oleation. Contemporary and alternative medicine know a few pieces to this puzzle, and tend to emphasize many things that contribute to problems giving us quite a list of controversial issues.

The mothers' Ayurvedic home spa care is a big, no less valuable #3 which includes external oleation, recommended daily for 6 weeks! For the vast majority of mothers, this is not available, but a daily self-massage with warm oil before bathing for 15 minutes or whatever can be managed is a tremendously valuable habit that can be done in the am after Baby has eaten and is contented for a little while to keep you company listening to the bath water run, your conversation or singing, and the warmth of the room while you take care of yourself. Perhaps giving Baby her oil massage as soon as she needs attention, with even a warm bath together.

If the problem/mood imbalances have manifested, we call on more specific herbal support and essential oils, and if appropriate, some cranio-saccral or gentle chiropractic. If the client is sick, non-invasive energy work instead of the home spa care treatments.

We can see the deep value for all these things when we have studied the postpartum conditions in common sense, everyday terms, and can see the Ayurvedic principles involved for mother and baby physiology and psychology. On this basis, we can look at a "new" (ancient and a few contemporary issues added) assessment for PPD and see where we need to go from here. Watch for posting in the ARticles section soon on this document!

Warmly,
Ysha
Postpartum AyurDoula Care, Training & Aromatherapy

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