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22 March 2023

Pregnancy and postpartum selfcare

Selfcare starts with intimate care

Motherhood is a baptism by fire….

 

Not only do our bodies shift and morph as we grow our babies in our wombs, and then the wild ride that is labour (whether natural or otherwise), but then these miraculous vessels shape shift back to their former glory. In fact it takes up to two full years to unwind the changes in our bodies that pregnancy induces.

 

Often we are left with badges of honour that prove we have walked the path. Stretch marks, bags under our eyes and “mom frizz” should be worn with pride. However there are certain badges that are often unseen…. and worst of all are often experienced by a new mom as embarrassing. From “baby blues”, to pelvic floor weakness, low libido and vaginal dryness. Well mama, we are here to say: “We see you! You are not alone”

 

There is nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to having created life! We want you know that there are a few things that you can do to empower yourself during pregnancy and after birth.

 

Hormone balance:

 

Post partum is a hormone rollercoaster. Plummeting hormone levels play a major role in mood changes post delivery. Not only does this affect your mood but it also affects your hair and skin, your quality of sleep and your libido. Adrenal fatigue and thyroid dysfunction also affect you hormone balance due to lack sleep of sleep.

 

Here are a few steps to rebalancing your hormones:

• Ensure that you regularly hydrate, especially if you are breastfeeding
• Eat nourishing foods (nuts, seeds, leafy greens and omega rich proteins)
• Supplement with vitamins where required, specifically iron and vitamin B
• Go for walks or do low impact exercise
• Go for a massage. New moms experience over stimulation through constant “soft touch”. Deep muscle massage not only assists with lymph drainage but helps recallebrate the nervous system
• Try alternative therapies including ultraviolet saunas and accupuncture to assist in detoxifying your liver and increasing endorphins and dopamine

 

Vaginal dryness and pelvic exercise:

 

Vaginal dryness during pregnancy is caused due to an alteration in hormones, especially estrogen. However, using a water-based lubricant helps things go a little more smoothly.The MiQuann! serum is no ordinary lube and can assist with sensual intimacy but can also protect your vagina and its most delicate skin enhancing moisture, improving skin tone and elasticity and balancing your natural flora through prebiotics and post-biotics to ensure that correct pH balance is maintained for optimum vaginal health.

 

Once your doctor gives you the green light on any kind of sexual activity post delivery (usually 8 -10 weeks post partum), you can start to slowly work on reconnecting with your partner (and yourself) as well as pelvic strengthening exercises. 

 

Natural labor tends to lengthen or stretch the pelvic floor muscles which can weaken the control you have over your urinary tract and bladder, where as surgical deliveries can have the opposite effect with the pelvic floor tensing. Hormones and vaginal trauma can also cause vaginal dryness. We recommend using lubrication or a vaginal serum to ensure that you increase natural vaginal moisture until such time as your body restores itself.

 

If you feel ready to start re-engaging your pelvic floor, the first rule is take it slow and start with kegel contractions 

1. Lay comfortably on the floor or bed
2. Squeeze our concract your vaginal muscles. You should feel the interior of your vaginal pull up to the top of the cervix from the tail bone. 
3. Hold for 10 – 30 seconds and then relax the muscles. for 1 minute before repeating. Note: You should your pelvic floorrelease. 
4. Work up the repertition to 10 minutes a day

 

 

Rest and self-care 

 

The age old advice “sleep when the baby sleeps” is not always practical but sleep is critical for post partum recovery. This is particularly difficult for new moms with disrupted sleep due to the intense feeding schedule.  But find time to hand over duties to your partner or support system where possible.

 

Even more seemingly impossible is when you are awake, is to find time for self-care. A warm bath, a quite cup of tea or even a book may be a stretch but carve out time in the day to re-energize yourself. Talking care of your body ensures that you heal quicker, create a better bond with your child and reinvigorate your connection to yourself and your partner. Vaginal care is a critical first step in self-care and in the healing process. 

 

We suggest that you try the MiQuann! intimate care collection. Our first product collection, the first of its kind in SA, has recently been launched with only the good stuff in the unique, natural formulations! Scientifically derived and backed by nature, our intimate collection of products has been formulated to enhance your natural juiciness. We believe in using simple, clean ingredients and staying away from the nasties (no parabens or harsh chemicals). Our intimate collection features extracts and compounds that enhance moisture, improve skin tone and elasticity and balance your natural flora through prebiotics and post-biotics to ensure that correct pH balance is maintained for optimum vaginal health.

 

MiQuann! is a feminine wellness collective focused on enhancing lives for women. We are passionate about female self-care, wellness and ageless lifelong sensuality. We have a goal... empowering women through hormonal life stages as they age. We are challenging the status quo and informing women's choices in hormonal wellness and self-care.

 

* Disclaimer: Always consult your physician for advice should you have any medical concerns.