How Modern Medicine Is Failing the Postpartum Mother

The journey of motherhood does not end with childbirth. In fact, the “fourth trimester," is a crucial phase that determines a mother’s long-term physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Yet, modern medicine has largely neglected this stage, focusing extensively on prenatal care and pediatric care after delivery, while leaving postpartum mothers to fend for themselves. With hurried checkups, a lack of comprehensive support, and an over-reliance on pharmaceuticals, postpartum care has become a glaring failure of the healthcare system.

The Lack of Postpartum Medical Support

A mother is given months of medical attention during pregnancy, with regular ultrasounds, screenings, and consultations. However, once the baby arrives, follow-ups for the mother are sparse. In most cases, a single six-week postpartum checkup is considered sufficient. This limited care fails to address the myriad of physical and emotional challenges new mothers face, such as:

• Hormonal imbalances that contribute to postpartum depression, anxiety, and mood swings.

• Nutrient depletion from pregnancy and breastfeeding, which leads to chronic fatigue, weakened immunity, and long-term deficiencies.

• Pelvic floor dysfunction and diastasis recti, conditions that often go undiagnosed and untreated.

• Unaddressed postpartum pain resulting from C-sections, episiotomies, or natural tears.

• Breastfeeding challenges such as low milk supply, mastitis, or latch issues, which are often dismissed rather than properly supported.

This one-size-fits-all approach fails to acknowledge that postpartum recovery varies greatly among women. For some, it takes weeks, while for others, it takes months or even years.

Over-Medicalization and Ignoring Natural Recovery

Modern medicine often seeks quick fixes through medications rather than holistic healing. For example:

• Antidepressants are overprescribed for postpartum depression, often without addressing the underlying causes such as nutrient depletion, sleep deprivation, and lack of social support. A community on which the mother can rely on is missing and this hiatus is where PPD and other postpartum mental health disorders take root.

• Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are given for postpartum pain instead of recommending natural pain relief methods such as warm compresses, belly binding, or herbal remedies.

Instead of promoting natural methods like traditional postpartum healing foods, yoga, and Ayurveda, modern medicine often dismisses these practices as "unscientific." However, research has increasingly shown the benefits of such traditional approaches.

The Neglect of Postpartum Nutrition

A new mother’s body is in a state of repair, needing essential nutrients to replenish depleted stores. Yet, nutritional guidance during postpartum is rarely given in modern medical settings. Traditional healing foods that have been used for centuries, such as bone broth, ghee, fenugreek, dates, and warming herbal teas, are often ignored in favour of generic dietary advice of eating more protein and stuffing our bodies with processed protein shakes,

In contrast, holistic health approaches emphasize complex carbs to improve maternal energy levels, Iron-rich foods to combat postpartum anemia, healthy fats to support mother and baby’s brain function and hormone balance, collagen and protein sources to repair tissues and strengthen the pelvic floor and probiotics and digestive herbs to restore gut health, which is often compromised by pregnancy and postpartum stress.

Mental Health: A Dismissed Concern

Postpartum depression (PPD) and anxiety are serious concerns, yet they are often brushed aside as "baby blues." Many women are left feeling isolated, ashamed, and unsupported in their struggles. The lack of access to postpartum mental health specialists exacerbates the issue. While medication is sometimes necessary, a more comprehensive approach should include:

• Nutritional therapy to address deficiencies linked to mood disorders.

• Yoga and meditation for stress relief and emotional balance.

• Community support through postpartum support groups, and counselling.

The Role of Ayurveda and Yoga in Postpartum Healing

While modern medicine falls short, traditional healing systems like Ayurveda and yoga offer a more comprehensive approach to postpartum care. These methods focus on long-term recovery rather than quick fixes.

Ayurveda’s Approach to Postpartum Healing:

• Warm, nourishing foods to restore strength and improve digestion.

• Herbal remedies such as ashwagandha and shatavari to balance hormones and boost milk supply.

• Abhyanga (oil massages) to relax the nervous system and improve circulation.

Yoga Therapy for Postpartum Recovery:

• Gentle yoga stretches to strengthen the pelvic floor and core muscles.

• Pranayama (breathwork) to improve energy levels and mental clarity.

• Guided meditation and relaxation techniques to reduce stress and anxiety.

Belly Binding: A Time-Honoured Tradition Ignored by Modern Medicine

One of the best examples of modern medicine’s neglect of postpartum care is its dismissal of belly binding. Used for centuries in cultures around the world, belly binding provides essential support to the abdomen, lower back, and pelvic floor during postpartum recovery.

When done correctly, belly binding:

• Reduces postpartum bleeding by supporting the uterus as it shrinks back to its normal size.

• Provides stability to the core muscles, helping to prevent diastasis recti from worsening.

• Eases back pain by improving posture and reducing strain on the spine.

Unfortunately, many healthcare providers overlook or even discourage this practice, despite its proven benefits.

The Need for a Holistic Postpartum Model

It is time to rethink postpartum care. Instead of dismissing traditional healing methods, the medical community must integrate them into modern postpartum care. This means:

• Extended postpartum follow-ups rather than a single six-week checkup.

• A focus on postpartum nutrition with meal plans that support recovery.

• Access to holistic practitioners such as Ayurvedic specialists, postpartum yoga instructors, and lactation consultants.

• Community support programs to prevent postpartum isolation and improve maternal mental health.

Orya Care: Restoring Traditional Wisdom in Postpartum Healing

At Orya Care, we recognize the deep flaws in modern postpartum care and are committed to bridging the gap. We integrate the best of traditional wisdom with evidence-based practices to provide a nurturing environment for new mothers. Our programs include:

• Personalized postpartum meal plans inspired by Ayurvedic principles.

• Belly binding support for both vaginal and C-section deliveries.

• Yoga therapy and breathwork sessions to aid recovery.

• Emotional well-being programs to help mothers navigate the postpartum transition. Our in-house counsellors and lactation consultants enable the mother to breastfeed, open up about their anxieties and our experts guide them with practical advice to embrace motherhood with patience and confidence.

Modern medicine may be failing postpartum mothers, but with the right support, traditional wisdom, and a holistic approach, we can change the narrative. The postpartum period is not just about survival—it should be about thriving, healing, and restoring strength for the journey of motherhood ahead.