The Role of Indian Post-Partum Care Followed by Specific Diet in Women Psychological Functioningâl

Abstract

“The Role of Indian Post-partum Care followed by specific diet in Women’s Psychological Functioning and mental health” • The postpartum period starts from 1hr after delivery to 42 days and is a critical period for the mothers’ health • Women experience various physical, mental, and emotional changes during this period, which may interfere with their daily routine. • A wide range of complications have been reported during this period such as physical, mental, and emotional problems including fatigue, concerns with regard to sexual intercourse, haemorrhoids, constipation, breastfeeding problem, anxiety, acidity, stress, depression, sleep disorders, bleeding, urinary incontinence, and posttraumatic stress disorder. • Women’s health after delivery is the most important factor affecting the health of her new born. • Close knit Indian family system structure and community helps new mother’s faster recovery. • Mother’s food intake, appropriate resting pattern, massage &bathing pattern are the three key steps closely observed and offered to mother by elderly female family member along with community woman in India. • Study also shows mother digestion and increase in the milk supply are interrelated and is the main focus of her post partum diet. In the olden days this used to be closely watched and taken care by grandmoms or the elders female member of the family. Grandmas home remedy was the main source of information for new mom’s recovery path rituals. • Until 42 days new mom and baby used to be kept in separate room called ‘balantroom’ where only caretaker woman used to be allowed to stay with her. She used to be completely detached from everyone so she could concentrate on her recovery and her little one