Mama & Mentor | Holistic Postnatal Care

Navigating the journey of motherhood is both an incredible adventure and a daunting challenge. Whether you're a new mom, mom-to-be, or simply looking for the best advice on navigating this new world with your little ones, you've come to the right place. In this series, we bring you valuable insights from experts across various fields – from mental and physical health to parenting, relationships, and loss of personal identity. Our goal is to provide you with expert advice that’s practical, reassuring, and tailored just for you.

Join us as we dive into a conversation with Terri Rout, the Care Team Lead at Alma Care, Canada's first postpartum retreat. 

Expert Insights on Postnatal Care: An Interview with Terri Rout from Alma Care

Postpartum retreats, inspired by traditional Asian practices like China’s "zuo yue zi" and India’s postpartum rituals, offer holistic recovery for new mothers. Combining rest, mental health support, and wellness services, they address physical and emotional needs.

Navigating the postpartum period can be a daunting task for new mothers, who often face a myriad of physical and emotional challenges. Alma Care, Canada’s first postpartum retreat, offers a sanctuary for new moms, providing them with comprehensive support and care. We had the privilege of speaking with Terri Rout, the Care Team Lead at Alma Care, who shared her journey and expertise in postnatal care & tips you can implement at home.

Terri Rout's Journey into Postnatal Care

Terri Rout’s career in caregiving began as a Personal Support Worker (PSW). However, the birth of her granddaughter nine years ago sparked a shift in her focus towards birthwork. Dissatisfied with the available doula training, Terri pursued a rigorous Perinatal Support Worker program at Mohawk College. This included a year of education and a 500-hour practicum. Her journey led her to start her own business in birth support and water birth education, creating the Waterbirth Coalition of Canada, before joining Alma Care.

Postpartum Health and Tips for New Mamas

Terri’s expertise extends beyond the walls of Alma Care, offering valuable advice for all new mothers:

1. Prioritize Sleep: "Adequate rest is crucial for recovery and mental health," Terri advises. She recommends sleeping when the baby sleeps to compensate for interrupted nighttime rest.

2. Mindful Relaxation Practices: Incorporating relaxation techniques like deep breathing, gentle stretching, or short meditation sessions can help manage stress and improve mood.

3. Light Exercise: Gentle walks with the baby in a stroller can be beneficial, promoting physical recovery and mental well-being.

4. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Nourishing the body with healthy foods is essential, especially in the early postpartum period. 

One of the amazing tips Terri shared is the importance of keeping snacks readily available wherever you sit with your baby. It’s easy for new moms to get so focused on their newborn’s needs that they forget to nourish themselves. To make it simpler, set up “nutrition stations” around your home. Wherever you have a diapering station, or where you breastfeed, have a basket filled with granola bars, meal replacement drinks, water bottles, and other quick, nutritious snacks. This way, every time you sit down to nurse or cuddle your baby, you have easy access to something to eat and drink. 

5. Stay Connected: Keeping in touch with friends and family provides emotional support and helps new mothers avoid feelings of isolation.

6. It’s Okay to Step Away: Terri touches on what’s called the Period of Purple Cry. A period between week seven and week twelve that babies just cry and it's not because they're hungry, it’s not because they're tired, it’s not because they're wet or gassy, they just go through this period. 

This is the window where we see the most shaken baby syndrome. Terri mentions that it’s okay to just put baby down in a safe position in a crib, close the door and walk away. Moms need to know it’s okay to step away to compose yourself. 

The Importance of Support Networks

Terri emphasizes the critical role of support networks during the postpartum period. "It's so important to know that everyone's postpartum journey is different and to know that there's no such thing as a perfect parent," she says. Having a strong support circle helps new mothers navigate the physical and emotional changes they experience, providing a safety net for those moments of doubt and anxiety.

Terri also offers a fantastic idea of incorporating a chore jar somewhere in your living space so when the inevitable question comes “what can I do to help?” you can direct them to your chore jar. This alleviates any awkwardness you might feel assigning tasks to your visitors. 

Challenges New Mothers Face

Terri highlights several common challenges new mothers face, particularly with breastfeeding, confidence and rest. "We make sure that all of our care team members are well-versed in a good latch and positioning," Terri explains, emphasizing the importance of early breastfeeding support. Alma Care provides an environment where new mothers can focus on recovery offering much-needed rest and relaxation. 

Terri ensures that new mothers gain confidence in infant care by providing personalized, hands-on education. Many first-time moms come with questions about basics like swaddling. Terri’s approach offers one-on-one guidance, empowering them with essential skills and boosting their self-assurance. It’s rewarding to see them leave feeling well-prepared.

For mothers without access to professionals in their postpartum journey, building confidence in infant care can start with reliable resources. Online tutorials, parenting books, and community support groups can offer valuable guidance on techniques like swaddling and soothing. Practicing these skills regularly with a focus on patience and observation can also help. Additionally, connecting with experienced parents through local or online forums can provide practical tips and reassurance. 

Practical Tips for At-Home Postnatal Care

For those unable to access facilities like Alma Care, Terri offers practical tips:

• Prepare for Postpartum: Before the baby arrives, stock up on freezer meals and set up convenient baby care stations around the house. Look into products that will make your transition and recovery easier and more comfortable. For example, Witch Hazel pads, heating and cooling pads both for your perineum and for your breasts. 
• Sibling Integration: Involve older children in baby care tasks to make them feel included and important.
• Find Your Mom Circle: Join local mommy groups or online communities to share experiences and receive support.
• Find Time for You: One of the BEST things you can do for yourself is carving out time at least once a week just for YOU. 
• The 5 S’s for Calming Your Baby: 

1. Swaddle (Providing the secure feeling they enjoyed before birth)
2. Side lying (After swaddling put them on their side or stomach while you hold them)
3. Shushing (Shushing is a sound that calms and comforts your baby)
4. Swaying/ Swinging (Jiggling your swaddled baby using very small, rapid movements)
5. Sucking (This simply means giving your baby a pacifier or thumb to suck on)

• 5-5-5 Rule: The "5-5-5 rule" in postpartum care is a guideline primarily from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and practices related to postpartum recovery. This rule provides a framework for new mothers to follow during the postpartum period to support their recovery and well-being. Here's a breakdown of what each "5" represents:

1. The first "5" refers to the recommendation for new mothers to rest for at least five days after giving birth. This period of rest is crucial for recovery, allowing the body to heal from the physical stresses of childbirth and to regain strength. It also provides time for the new mother to adjust to caring for her baby and to bond with her newborn.
2. The second "5" pertains to the idea of confinement, where the new mother is encouraged to stay indoors and avoid strenuous activities for about five weeks. This period is meant to help the mother recover from childbirth, avoid exposure to cold, and focus on recuperation and nurturing the baby. The confinement period can vary depending on cultural traditions and personal practices but generally lasts around 30 to 40 days.
3. The final "5" represents the broader recovery period of up to five months. While the first five days and weeks are more intense in terms of rest and confinement, the full recovery period extends to about five months. During this time, new mothers are advised to gradually resume their normal activities while still paying attention to their physical and emotional well-being. This period allows for complete recovery from childbirth and helps to restore overall health and vitality.

Alma Care: A Sanctuary for New Mothers

Alma Care, the first of its kind in Canada, offers a holistic approach to postpartum care. Mothers, their partners and their babies receive 24/7 expert care, including nutritious meals, personalized infant care education, and various wellness services such as massages, acupuncture, and lactation support. "We personalize all of those things," Terri shared. "We really like to make a special experience, not just the support and education but a unique experience for everyone."