Deep restorative postpartum care
(+ some real deal birth stories)

with postpartum doula and chef Rachael Hollinger

Download on Apple | Download on Spotify | Download on Google Podcasts

So many of us spend days, weeks, months researching and taking classes, preparing ourselves for the event of childbirth.

Because it feels mysterious and miraculous and like something we need to train for.

And that makes sense.

It's a huge milestone unlike any other in our lives.

But what about the tremendous transformation that occurs the moment you become a parent (for the first or second or third time)?

How do you prepare for not only the baby arriving, but also the physical, mental and emotional recovery that's often much more intensive than we expect?

Most of us don't. At least not in the US.

Deeply restorative, nourishing postpartum care is all but a thing of the past. But thankfully there is also a resurgence.

More and more birthworkers are looking to various cultural traditions to glean the wisdom of thousands of years of supporting birthing parents after birth. 

And postpartum doulas like today's guest Rachael Hollinger are inspiring a whole new generation of postpartum care providers to honor the fourth trimester as a time when not only baby needs attention and care, but also the mother (or birthing parent). 

So, what can that look like?

Everything from nourishing food to herbal remedies to steams and baths to rest to warmth and so much more. It's a paradigm shift, not just more "things to do."

You'll hear all about how important all of this is, especially when pregnancy or birth is hard, in this week's episode.

Listen to learn:

• what nourishing, deeply restorative postpartum care means 
• how Rachael came to this work from her own childbearing challenges
• how Hyperemesis gravidarum can affect pregnancy, birth and postartum
• why it's important to tell REAL birth and postpartum stories 
• 5 essential elements of truly restorative postpartum care
• a simple recipe that's perfect in the immediate postpartum period

Resources:

• FREE 10 Key Herbs for Menstrual + Hormonal Health Guide
• Episode 22: Herbal spotlight on nettles
• Episode 25: Immediate herbal postpartum care with Liz Philbrick
• Episode 32: Herbal spotlight on motherwort
• Episode 65: The healing power of your sensual body in postpartum

Connect with Rachael: 

• Check out her in person retreats for mothers + birthing parents: The Pause Retreats
  
  

• Check out her website for her offerings: Nourisher Doula
   

• Connect on IG: @nourisherdoula
  
  

   

DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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