Kerala Ayurveda Gestatone

The joy of having a new baby is one of life’s greatest joys. It’s very important that proper postpartum care is given to the mother as well as the baby to support the mother’s good health and the baby’s nourishment and health. Maintaining adequate breast milk supply is very worrisome to a new mother. It’s very important to establish an adequate milk supply for a baby while also ensuring the good health of the mother. 

Gestatone lehyam is a completely natural Ayurvedic galactagogue. It’s a perfectly safe and beneficial composition of Ayurvedic ingredients that is to be given as a part of postnatal care to improve the production of breast milk. Since the digestion of a new mother will be poor after delivering a baby, Gestatone also improves the digestion of the mother so that she may better nourish herself and the baby. It’s also an excellent tonic for the uterine muscle. Gestatone has ingredients that prevent anaemia in the new mother.  

Western Medicine and Postpartum Care

Western medicine systems advise that a mother be able to get as much rest as possible postpartum. A healthy diet is recommended to help in healing and to support the health of the mother and the baby. Mild exercise is also recommended. When there are problems with inadequate breast milk supply there are several factors that could be the cause. Sometimes waiting too long after birth to start feeding, not feeding often enough, ineffective latching on of the baby or giving supplemented feed to the baby can cause insufficient milk supply.  Other factors could be maternal obesity, diabetes, high BP due to the pregnancy or the premature birth of the child. Some medications have the effect of decreasing the supply of milk and one has to be very cautious while taking any medication while breastfeeding hormonal birth control must also be started only after consultation with the doctor. 

To maintain adequate milk production, Western medicine advocates nursing on demand, drinking enough fluids, reducing stress and avoiding alcohol intake.

Western medicine has no concept of a uterine tonic to be given postpartum to strengthen the uterus. Any issues that do crop up are treated symptomatically. 

There are certain drugs that have the effect of increasing the production of breast milk. Since the hormone prolactin is the stimulant for the production of breast milk, low levels of prolactin can affect the supply. The main prolactin inhibiting factor is dopamine. So medications that block dopamine have the effect of galactagogues. They do not work on all women but have been used successfully in some cases. Since these drugs could have other side effects they are to be used under medical supervision on a case to case basis. 

When a new mother needs nutritional support, Western medicine prescribes a nutritious diet as well as supplements. Each and every possible symptom of postpartum problems are treated on a symptomatic basis. 

Ayurveda And Postpartum Care

Ayurveda has a holistic approach to postpartum care to fulfil all the needs of a mother who has just been delivered of a baby. The mother becomes weak owing to the sudden loss of fluids and blood that happens postpartum. The period after birth and the next period cycle is vital to the health of the mother. It’s called the Sutika Period. At this time there are special measures taken to rejuvenate the health and strength of the new mother. The main focus is on restoring digestion and metabolism and the Vata Dosha balance. Adequate lactation should also be established to feed the baby properly. 

The first few days after delivery require massage with medicated oils and bath with herbal water. Food should be nutritious and wholesome. Ghee intake should be given based on how well the mother is able to digest food. A postpartum diet is also recommended to better restore the patient’s strength. Ayurvedic medicine for hyperacidity and other digestive issues are administered. Stress and undue exposure to extreme climatic conditions are to be avoided. Ayurveda uses natural galactagogue formulations to support lactation. There are also traditional foods and herbs that are given to a new mother in order to help in the case of inadequate lactation. Special herbal medicines are given to treat the uterus after the stress of childbirth. Ayurveda aims at helping to restore the reproductive organs to their normal state after birth. The mother is also given nutrient support and Ayurvedic medicine for anemia to prevent anaemia after the blood loss suffered during and after delivery. Herbs for blood purification are administered to fully expel the impurities from the uterus. 

Ayurveda also pays attention to the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of a new mother’s health. One is advised to speak to a new mother in sweet words and to encourage her to talk and share what is on her mind. The abdomen is bound with a clean and soft cloth to help reduce the space within and prevent any Vata disorders. It also gives the back adequate support.