Postpartum recovery: what is postpartum swaddling and who is it for?

Many are sure that the body itself knows exactly how to recover after childbirth, and no additional procedures are required. Everyone knows that “they gave birth in the field – and nothing”, and so what kind of special postpartum recovery can we talk about? However, history retains many facts in favor of the fact that a lot of time was spent on the process of recovery after childbirth: special herbal decoctions were used to stimulate the process of uterine contraction, and massage special was given, time was given for communication – the woman who gave birth could talk and shout, throwing off the accumulated emotions after childbirth and the first days of motherhood.

Now young parents are immersed in the care of the baby, simultaneously trying to establish breastfeeding, sleep, fight colic and maintain their usual level of comfort at home. Mom is often in no hurry or does not want to ask for help, taking on an incredible burden in the first weeks after childbirth. Often she has neither the time nor the energy to think about her own recovery from childbirth.

The well-being of women who have given birth, especially in the first weeks after childbirth, can hardly be called excellent – postpartum bleeding, lochia, lasting about 5-6 weeks, constipation, headaches, back pain, damaged nipples. Up to 40% of women after vaginal birth and 60% of those who have had a caesarean experience pelvic pain. Also, psychological problems are not uncommon – anxiety, depression, increased emotionality. It is difficult to enjoy motherhood, as society demands, on all fronts in this state.

Postpartum recovery is an important stage to which obstetricians advise paying special attention. One of the effective methods that have been gaining popularity in recent years is postpartum swaddling, which is part of the closure of childbirth.

“Postpartum swaddling is a set of measures aimed at the recovery of a woman after childbirth. There is an opinion that it affects all the main aspects of a woman’s life: it helps her to regain psychological comfort and physiological health, ”says Elena Ordiyants, doctor, obstetrician-gynecologist.

Different nations have traditions of closing childbirth – despite some differences in the techniques used, the general principles of this process are similar. Postpartum swaddling is performed no earlier than 40 days after delivery. The woman is offered a warming drink, such as spiced tea or cocoa, and a hot herbal bath. “In addition, it is at this time that the pronunciation of childbirth takes place,” says Irina Zakharchenko, a practicing midwife. “A woman talks, delivers her emotions and her experiences, often talks about her problems and her anxieties that are not related to childbirth”

Then there is the work with the internal organs, primarily with the uterus, the so-called “scale” of the abdomen, says Irina, for which each specialist has his own techniques. The last step is actually swaddling. “We choose aromatic oils together, and I cover the whole woman’s body with oil, I offer her to put on warm socks and a hat. After that, I start swaddling – carefully, like a baby, d First I swaddle my arms, then my legs, then my whole body, up to 7-8 layers.The procedure is very emotionally drained, women often start crying in the process.

Mom is really swaddled like a baby. The procedure takes quite a long time, on average 4-6 hours, and therefore those who decide on it should think in advance with whom the baby will be during this period. Irina notes that at the initial stages, until swaddling, the baby can be applied to the breast or held in her arms, but at the final stage of the procedure the mother will not be able to feed the baby.

But is postpartum swaddling really a necessary procedure for a woman who has just given birth? Irina Gavrilova, a well-known blogger and mother of six, shared her impressions of the closure of childbirth on her Instagram (The social network has been recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation): “But it was great to feel this care on the 40th day after childbirth, as in the ancient tradition. There was a bath with herbs and talk, then a thorough massage, scrub, and the actual swaddling, called “7 wicks.” I don’t know if the name itself comes from Mexican or Slavic traditions. Because Mexican women traditionally tied the woman giving birth with rebozo scarves, and our midwives corrected the abdomen and pulled (swaddled) the mother with towels.

Popular TV presenter Tutta Larsen also chose such a procedure for herself after the birth of her son Vanya: “In theory, after swaddling there should be such an effect that all internal organs fall into place and you return to normal almost immediately. My postpartum swaddling has become a more soothing experience for me, I would even say cosmetic-psychological, but I can’t say that it has become a real help for me in restoring my internal organs.

“Yes, postpartum swaddling can restore psychological balance, calm a woman and her nervous system, but scientists do not yet have objective data on the effect on physiology,” says Dr. Elena Ordiyants. – However, a pronounced improvement in the physiological state should not be expected. The minimal effect, of course, can be, but it is more related to the study of psychological problems. If we also talk specifically about physiology and diastasis, there is not enough data to affirm it.

It should be understood that most women experience enormous psychological discomfort after childbirth. Alas, it depends on many factors – where, how and with whom she gave birth, how the first postpartum period was, what kind of people and care were around the woman. And if such an injury occurs, swaddling can really help a woman cope with this period.

Do not forget that this procedure is expensive (in Moscow it will cost 23-25 ​​thousand rubles), and the effect strongly depends on the “guide” who conducts it. In the process of swaddling, an intimate and very deep conversation with a specialist takes place, a very close contact is established between the woman and the “guide”. It is important that the specialist is competent and does not harm the psychological state. Reviews about postpartum swaddling are mostly positive – as well as about consulting a good psychologist.

Postpartum swaddling is a growing trend, but not as bizarre as an umbilical cord necklace, for example. We talked with the trainer about other ways to recover after childbirth – and collected his recommendations in a separate article.

Photo: social networks