Post-Partum Depression- Ayurvedic Management

The postpartum depression is a psychosomatic illness that occur after the pregnancy in the early period and may last for months. These disturbances which occur in the first week after delivery is commonly called as Postpartum blues,baby blues, which comes under the vataja nanatmaja vyadhi, and in ayurveda can be called as soothika vishada. This occurs to 10%-20% of new mothers.

The common causative factor, includes the sudden change in lifestyle, hormonal changes, lack of social and emotional support, due to sleeplessness,anxieties about one’s body shape, financial problems…etc

In ayurveda soothika paricharya is a concept in which the newly mothers have to be taken care with all the emotional, and physical support for at least 1 and half month. The garbini paricharya (ante natal care) and soothika paricharya (post-natal care), helps the mothers to prevent from these depression and psychosis. After delivery the mothers may have physical pain and stress. Ayurvedic treatments, such as satwavajayachikista (phycological counselling), shamana chikista, diet and the yoga and meditation help to overcome these.

Satwavajachikista : The satwavajachikista is the counselling which enhances the Dhee-Dhariya -Atmadi vijanana the pain and stress can be reduced, the patient will get rid of getting the PPD, women will also have positive attitude towards the baby which reduces the stress level in the newly mother.

Shamana chikista – The shamana chikista include all the rejuvenating treatment which increases the breast milk production, reduces the body ache, relives the stress. The hebs such as ahwaganada , satawari, kooshmanda..etc can be given to the women. Administration of medicated ghee also helps to enhance the digestive capacity and other ailments.

Panchakarma treatment

Abhyanga- there will aggravation of vata dosha after the pregnancy,so to balnce the vata, can go for the treatments such as body massge with medicated oils (dhanwantharam..etc).

Shirodhara– the medicated liquid is being poured over the forehead for a stipulated time,which helps to reduce the stress,and other factors in the body. The insomnia can be reduced and which make the mother calm and reduces the vata in the body.

Nasyam –Instilling the medicated liquids into the nostrils, which can cross the  blood brain barrier, helps to reduces the psychological issues.

Vethukuli- The medicated herbal bath which is prepared out of vata reducing herbs such as shigru,nalpamara,neem,usheera helps to relives the pain.

Music therapy –  The music can also alter the mind which helps to calm  and  is a good remedy for mental health ,song which are soothening, loving such as Hasmsadwani  which bring forth happiness.

Yoga and pranayama

The yoga asana such as stretching and which strengthen the abdominal muscles. Such as veeraasana, utanapadasana, pavanamukthasana, sethubandasana improves the circulation in the body.

Pranayama – The breathing exercise which helps to increase the lung capacity and the also calms and reduces the stress level in an individual. such as bhramri, nadishudhi pranayama.

Lifestyle changes – Includes walking, spending time with family, following healthy diet, self-care and take adequate rest will also help to reduce the stress. Diet can also affect the mothers which can impact the postpartum depression, so include that diet which is rich in nutritional values, omega 3 fatty acidy, bananas, pineapple, lentils, walnuts, spinaches, tuna, salmon. Etc.