Bundle, the osteopath, said that during this period, the demands can be intense for mums. Feeding a newborn for hours each day – and night – often leads to upper back, neck and shoulder pain. The lack of sleep from waking up frequently to attend to the baby also makes recovery harder. And hormones fluctuate in many different ways.
“I usually see mums around six weeks postpartum,” Bundle said. “We osteopaths do a lot of work to open up the joints that get compressed from feeding posture.”
Osteopathy can also support caesarean-section recovery through gentle scar work and mobility exercises, she added. Similarly, Dr White said that chiropractic care may help with nerve-related discomfort, sleep issues and tension.
Doulas like Sarah often check in with mothers after birth to see how they are coping. Some also serve as a coordinator, liaising with other professionals like lactation consultants, massage therapists, and physiotherapists, to help the mum recover from the birth and be in the best state to care for their babies.
At Kindle Space, Ho keeps the door open long after delivery. She regularly sets up community gatherings for mums, no matter the age of their children, to connect with other women and feel less alone.
“Mums are welcome to join and stay in Kindle Space as long as they want to – six weeks postpartum or six years postpartum,” she said, sharing that members can return for postnatal yoga sessions, movement classes, breastfeeding support, or simply to sit and talk with other members.
“Holistic care is to make sure the mum feels well supported,” she said. “A calm and supported mother is not a luxury – it’s more than essential because she is the foundation for the future.”
