Post Natal Recovery

The evidence is continuously growing that providing mental health support to mothers following a complicated birth is important. A study in Canada found that mothers are at 1.4 times increased risk of developing a stress and anxiety disorder following a complicated birth (Canadian study. Côté-Corriveau et al., 2022). As such, seeking this support is important. 

Holistic psychotherapy plays a vital role in helping a woman recover from a traumatic delivery by addressing not only the psychological impact of the experience but also the emotional, physical, and ancestral dimensions of healing. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms like anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, holistic therapy creates a safe space where the woman can explore her birth experience in depth, reconnect with her body, her maternal line, and her relationship to motherhood/childhood, in order to rebuild understanding, compassion and trust in herself. 

Trauma therapy methods are vital in this process. Approaches such as Somatic Experiencing (SE), Integrated Prenatal and Perinatal Dynamics (IPPD), and NeuroAffective Touch can be powerful tools for helping a mother recover from a traumatic delivery by focusing on the body’s natural ability to process and release trauma when the experience of slowing down and creating a felt-sense of safety is provided. 

Research supports that even brief early psychotherapeutic intervention can help reduce the mental health impact of a traumatic birth experience (Dekel et al., 2023). Additionally, holistic psychotherapy can be an important support for postpartum recovery even when there was no traumatic birth experience. For example, a study in the UAE found that 35% of participants exhibited symptoms of depression post-partum (Hanach et al., 2022). As such, receiving holistic mental health support is an important part of post-partum recovery.

Chronic lower back and pelvic pain can be common issues postpartum. In fact, a study in the UAE found that 79% of participants reported postpartum LBPP (“Section on Women’s Health Combined Sections Meeting Posters,” 2019). Moreover, traumatic experiences can aggravate the experience of pain. That is why consulting with a holistic physiotherapist as part of complete healthcare plays an important role in postpartum recovery.

Traditional physiotherapy helps restore strength, mobility, and alignment in the pelvic floor, abdomen, and spine—areas often impacted during labor and delivery. A study in Egypt found a significant reduction in lower back pain following physiotherapy support post delivery (Moheboleslam et al., 2022).

Craniosacral therapy may also offer helpful relief for mothers. This therapy method works more subtly, using gentle touch to release tension in the central nervous system, calm the fight-or-flight response, and promote a sense of safety and integration. And visceral manipulation therapy focuses on the internal organs, gently encouraging mobility and alignment of the uterus, bladder, and other abdominal structures that may have been affected during childbirth. Integrated together, these modalities support not only physical healing but also help release trauma stored in the body’s tissues, reduce pain, regulate the nervous system, and restore a sense of bodily autonomy and trust.

While beginning physiotherapy within the year of delivery offers helpful support more immediately,holistic physiotherapy can also be helpful years later, to address lingering issues and improve overall health.

While there isn’t a lot of research regarding homeopathy and postpartum recovery specifically, some mothers prefer alternative medicine approaches postpartum.

Homeopathy can be a helpful holistic approach to support a woman’s recovery from a traumatic delivery by gently stimulating the body’s natural healing processes—physically, emotionally, and energetically. The comorbid emotional impact of a traumatic birth experience often includes feelings of deep anger, grief, shame or humiliation from the birth experience. There can also be chronic pain, anxiety, depression and mood instability. A homeopathic physician will make treatment recommendations based on each woman’s history and presenting physical symptoms (such as pain, bruising, or exhaustion), emotional state (shock, fear, grief, or detachment), and overall constitution.

For example, Arnica montana is commonly used for physical trauma, bruising, and the feeling of being "sore and beaten," Aconitum napellus might be indicated for intense fear or shock experienced during a sudden or emergency delivery and Ignatia amara could support emotional healing from grief or unprocessed feelings related to the birth not going as planned. Because homeopathy treats the person as a whole rather than isolated symptoms, it can be particularly effective for women feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or emotionally numb after childbirth. When guided by a skilled homeopathic physician, this gentle approach can complement other therapies, fostering a deeper sense of balance, recovery, and resilience in the postpartum period.