Tag: postpartum

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Benefits of Eating Dates for Pregnancy & Birth

Benefits of Eating Dates for Pregnancy, Birth, and Postpartum

Our Divine Dates are in our Superfoods Snack Bundle! 🤤 Featuring deliciously healthy lactation snacks for moms who have only one hand to curb off hanger.  Perfect to eat during nursing👩🏻‍🍼or when rocking your #newborn to sleep. 😴 Read below about the evidence of dates and the benefits of eating dates for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

The Evidence of Dates

𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 for 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆, birth, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗺:

1. Nutrition: Dates are a good source of fiber, antioxidants, Vitamin C, B6, magnesium, and potassium. These nutrients aid healthy skin, tissues, and collagen synthesis, which support tissue integrity during birth. Dates provide energy and help constipation, which can be beneficial in the early #postpartum period when women experience fatigue and discomfort during bowel movements.

2. Low glycemic: Dates are considered low glycemic due to their high fiber content, which slows down digestion and absorption of carbs, improving satiety and preventing spikes in #blood #sugar levels after a meal.

3. Labor Preparation: A 2011 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology study found women who consumed dates in the last 4 weeks of pregnancy had a significantly higher chance of #spontaneous labor. It found those who ate dates had a reduced need for labor augmentation, and a shorter labor (latent phase) compared to the non-date group.

4. Cervical ripening: A 2007 Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology study showed those consuming dates had higher Bishop scores compared to the non-date group, a higher proportion of intact membranes and a lower need for pitocin augmentation. 

5. Shorter Labor Duration: A 2014 #Journal of Midwifery and Reproductive Health #study showed those eating dates during late #pregnancy had a shorter first stage of #labor compared to those who didn’t eat #dates.

6. Softening of tissues: Dates contain natural sugars and enzymes that soften the #cervix and promote tissue elasticity. Softening the cervix may reduce the risk of perineal tearing during #birth. Dates contain compounds that may help stimulate uterine #contractions and facilitate cervical ripening.

#postpartumMeals #postpartumMealDelivery #lactation #nursing #breastfeeding

Order our Superfood Snack Bundle at nourishmealdelivery.com>>

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Ayurvedic Super Food Lactation Snack

Ayurvedic Super Food Lactation Snack has six galactagogues and lactogenic super foods: sweet potatoes, hemp hearts, sesame seeds, cardamom, ginger, and ghee.

Sweet Potato + Hemp Hearts + Sesame Seeds + Pumpkin Seeds + Cardamom + Ginger + Ghee = YUM!!!

Sweet potatoes, a #superFood spud super magically loaded with:

🍠 Beta carotene, iron, and minerals to increase and improve a #newMum’s #breastmilk!

🍠 Magnesium, #protein, and potassium, lowering blood pressure which is usually higher in postpartum due to retained fluids! This radical root decreases water retention and balances electrolytes!

🍠 This galactagogue helps #newMother with muscle contractions and nerve signals needed when her #postpartumBody is going through uterine involution with lochia; her #uterus still cramping, reducing to prepregnancy size!

🍠 Sweet potatoes have a lower glycemic index than yams and are full of Vitamin A and fiber so they don’t cause blood sugar levels to spike! 👍

Heavenly #hempHearts are high in:

🌱 Arginine; #hemp produces nitric oxide in your body, dilating and relaxing blood vessels (so great for #postpartum), leading to lowered blood pressure and reduced heart disease risk!

🌱 2 essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), good for heart health!

🌱 Vitamin A, E and minerals phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, zinc, and B vitamins: niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin B-6, and folate!

🌱 Gamma-linolenic acid, reducing #inflammation and improving blood circulation for #milkSupply! Much needed for a #motherhood especially when engorged! A #lactogenic food, plus reduces breast tenderness!

🌱 #hempSeeds with shells on are a great source of soluble and insoluble #fiber, improving bowel function, pulling out hormonal & environmental #toxins, improving quality of #milkProduction!

🌱 And they’re a complete source of protein with all 9 essential amino acids + way more protein than flax or chia!

💕 #Sesame seeds, #pumpkin seeds, #ginger, and #cardamom are also #galactagogues helpful for #breastfeeding! 🤱 Hey #newMommy, don’t forget to add #ghee! All these amazing #nutrients will better digest and absorb deeper into your body’s tissues!!

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 3 Tablespoons ghee
  • 1 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1 inch chopped ginger
  • 2 Tablespoons hemp hearts
  • 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds
  • 1 handful pumpkin seeds

Directions

  1. You may chop and boil the sweet potatoes on the stove for 20 minutes to reduce sugar levels, or just roast them wrapped in foil in the oven for about an hour. If you have an Instant Pot, pop them in on a trivet with a cup of water for 25 minutes under high pressure and then do a 10 minute natural release.
  2. Add ghee to a small pan and saute the ginger for a few minutes until the aroma delights you. Be careful not to burn and remove from heat.
  3. Place the sweet potatoes in a food processor for a creamy texture or for a chunkier consistency, mix with a spatula.
  4. Stir in cardamom, and ginger-infused ghee.
  5. Sprinkle the hemp, sesame, and pumpkin seeds on top when serving.
  6. Sweet potatoes are… sweet. If you desire to sweeten further, see below.

Sweeten for your dosha

  • Vatas: add honey at end when cooled
  • Pittas: maple syrup
  • Kaphas: honey, agave, ~2 drops liquid stevia

Prepare for postpartum recovery with Ayurvedic Meal Delivery

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DIY Herbal Padsicles + Perineum Sitz Spray

DIY Herbal Padsicles + Perineum Sitz Spray

Soothe and heal your perineum fast after giving birth with this easy, natural DIY herbal perineum spray and padsicles recipe.  These pads will relieve inflammation, swelling, and soreness after birthing during your first couple weeks postpartum.  The remaining spray will provide much relief after you void/use the restroom.  It’s a 2-in-1!

Ingredients for healing your precious perineum:

Feminine pads (chemical-free sanitary pads which are chlorine-free and scent-free are healthier for this sensitive postpartum time)

Organic Aloe Vera gel (alcohol-free aloe vera, and watch out for imitation with coloring and dyes)

Organic Witch Hazel (choose an alcohol-free Lavender Witch Hazel or alcohol-free Cucumber Witch Hazel or alcohol-free unscented witch hazel version of this astringent which heals skin and closes pores)

Lavender Essential Oil* (antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory; relieves swelling of the skin and supports cellular regeneration)

German Chamomile Essential Oil** (anti-inflammatory; wound-healing)

Rosemary Essential Oil* (anti-inflammatory; strengthens muscles, and fights infection)

Frankincense Essential Oil* (prevents scarring and supports tissue regeneration)

Geranium Essential Oil* (skin conditioner; heals broken capillaries)

Small Spray Bottle

Aluminum Foil (optional)

spoon or small spatula

freezer baggies (gallon-size recommended)

medium-sized air-tight container (optional)

Directions:

  1. Wash hands well and dry thoroughly.
  2. Pour witch hazel halfway into your small spray bottle.
  3. Add 6 drops total of your preferred essential oils.  You may want to start with 2 drops of lavender first, spray an area like your wrist, and test your sensitivity.  Then add another 2 drops of chamomile, shake it and spray to test your other wrist.  Different oils can cause different reactions so you want to make sure you are not sensitive to any particular oil.
  4. Pour in more witch hazel to the top of your bottle.
  5. Close and shake vigorously.
  6. Open aloe vera container.
  7. Open pads, opening the flaps of the outer wrapper but leave the pad attached.
  8. Spread a thin layer of aloe onto the pads using a spoon or small spatula.
  9. Shake the spray bottle again, and spray onto your pads. The pads should be damp but not soaked through; ensure you preserve some of their absorbency for postpartum bleeding.
  10. Fold up your pads and stack them inside freezer bags.  You may be able to fit up to 10 in each bag.
  11. Stack the bags flat inside your air-tight container.
  12. Store container in freezer!
  13. Place peri bottle in the fridge.
  14. When you go into labor, pop your peri bottle into your birth bag.  Shake first and then spray directly onto your perineum after you deliver your beautiful Baby.
  15. After Baby debuts, soothe your perineum by wearing 3-4 pads daily straight from the freezer!  Only take one pad out at a time as needed. You can also spray more onto each individual pad you use if you prefer more moisture.

Note:

* Only use pure, GMO-free essential oils. The best quality essential oils are made by DoTerra. Your perineum is a very precious lady part and these perineum membranes are fragile after giving birth. Your body absorbs anything placed on your skin organ directly into your blood and circulatory system. Choose the best for your best perineum.
** Only use German Chamomile, not Roman Chamomile as this version helps with inflammation.

Consider hiring a Postpartum Doula for more support after giving birth.

If you don’t feel up to making your own, check out our:

Peaceful Postpartum Kit

Peaceful Postpartum Kit

Shop now
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Suggested Readings

Nourish Birth Suggested Readings

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Books for Children and Expecting Siblings

Books for Pet Assimilation