Holistic Postpartum Support Offerings for Mothers

"Mothers are the soil from which humanity grows."

- Rachelle Garcia Seliga

REVIVING THE MOTHERING OF THE MOTHERS

Since the beginning of time, all people knew that a mother's postpartum support and care of her entire being - physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual - would reflect not only in her health for the rest of her life but the health of her child, her community, and the world at large. Specifically, we are talking about the most tender time of the first 40 days after birth, but as any mother will tell you, "postpartum is forever".

In generations of late, this universal knowledge and awareness has been lost. Instead of an entire community actively playing a role in the new mother's recovery and rest, now a mother is lucky if she gets one friend checking up on her. She is expected to "bounce back" physically, return to work within weeks, show off her baby to anyone and everyone, and generally return to "business as usual" as soon as the birth is over. None of this is physiologically normal or desirable, for both baby and mother.

We must, collectively, re-remember how to truly and whole-istically support mothers. We must revive the older-than-time practices of "mothering the mother" that live deep within our subconsciousness, burning with desire to be brought back to life again to change this world for the better.

SUPPORT OFFERINGS

After the miraculous journey of growing a new human, then the incredible power and strength of birthing this human into the world, a mother is torn open: her old self dead as her new self births again. Postpartum is one of the most sacred times of a woman's life, and has historically been respected by all cultures worldwide.

A new mother needs care that is warming (both physically and energetically), grounding, deeply nourishing, quiet, and calm. As a Postpartum Tender (commonly known as a postpartum doula), I provide the following support to mothers:

Heart-centered, non-judgmental listening and witnessing
Physiological postpartum education during prenatal visits, including: helping a mother plan for short- and long-term support, nutritional counseling, what to expect during postpartum time, list of recommended supplies and resources
A calm, grounding presence for mother and her whole family
Physical support: light touch, craniosacral therapy, castor oil packs, yoni steaming, herbal baths, guided breathing
Light housework, room freshening, meal prep
Nutritional support: optional meal add-ons, nutritional counseling, herbal teas and salves made from herbs grown on-farm
Ceremony / Ritual to honor your journey

RELEVANT TRAININGS & EXPERIENCE

In addition to being the mother of a 3 year old child, one on the way, and one that was lost mid-pregnancy, here are some relevant life experiences that have led me right here, ready to support mothers during this tender time:

Certified Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, Nutritional Therapy Association
Ongoing studies of ancestral nutrition, with particular focus on women's preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum
Biosomatic Craniosacral Therapy Training Level 1 & Level 2, with Kari Toft (levels 3-4 to be completed spring 2025)
Energetic skills course, The Womb Room
Mothering the Mother Postpartum Retreat/Training, Indie Birth Association
Participation in communal grief ceremonies, and continued personal exploration of grief work
10+ years working directly with children in various contexts, following graduation from university
Waldorf Early Childhood Teacher Training and Practicums (incomplete), West Coast Institute
Studies of medicinal and folk herbs and herbal preparations, self-led and through School of Evolutionary Herbalism
Owner of Baba Yaga Farm

Most importantly, I am humbled by all the teachers in this world who I have had the honor to walk through life with and learn from. Teachers of all kinds: experts, mentors, friends, strangers, children, family, my own body, my ancestors, creatures big and small, rocks, land, water, wind, and fire. May this learning continue to humble me, daily, until my last breath.

Postpartum Support Packages

Bare Bones Package

2 prenatal visits (2 hours each), including one optional pre-birth ritual
10 hours in-home support during the first week post-birth, visits between 2-4 hours and scheduled based on your needs (see list in previous section for support offerings)
8 hours in-home support during week 2, visits between 2-4 hours long
1-hour craniosacral therapy sessions during week 1 and 2
Herbs for sitz bath or steam 3x weekly, all grown on farm and/or wildcrafted
Herbs for daily tea infusions for the first 2 weeks, all grown on farm and/or wildcrafted
Placenta preparations and rituals as you wish
Unlimited daytime texting support from time of first prenatal visit to final postpartum visit
Other possibilities to help you live the most well-supported postpartum of your dreams

Full Moon Package
Everything in the "Bare Bones" Package plus:

6 hours/week in-home support during weeks 3 and 4
1-hour craniosacral therapy sessions during week 3 and 4
Additional sitz bath/steam herbs for continued 3x weekly use during weeks 3 and 4
Additional daily herbs for tea infusions during weeks 3 and 4

First 40 Days Package
Everything in the "Full Moon" Package plus:

4 hours/week in-home support during weeks 5 and 6
1-hour craniosacral therapy sessions during weeks 5 and 6
Additional sitz bath herbs and tea herbs to continue during weeks 5 and 6
3-hour closing ceremony and ritual tailored to your unique journey and requests

Nourished Mother Meal Service

Home-cooked, delivered hot, hearty nutrient-dense animal-based main meals specifically created for nutrient repletion for the postpartum mother
Food is primarily raised/grown on our regenerative farm, supplemented ingredients are all organic
All gluten free, with options for other dietary restrictions (unable to accomodate vegetarians or vegans)
3x weekly delivery of one hearty meal (4-6 servings) plus 1 Mama's snack
Meal service is for one week but can be added onto for a full 6-weeks meal service of 3 meals and snacks per week

Pregnancy Loss, Miscarriage, & Stillbirth Support

No matter the trimester, no matter the birth method, every end of a pregnancy puts a woman into a postpartum state. Whether you contact me immediately after a diagnosis / before your birth, during a birth in any trimester, or in the tender days after your loss, I am here to support you. During my own mid-pregnancy loss in 2019 what I longed for most was companionship from a woman who had been there herself, someone who could hold me through my immense grief, help me navigate the sudden decisions I was faced with, and help me adapt to my postpartum recovery and unexpected lactation. I offer my support and postpartum services to Mothers walking through pregnancy loss on a donation-based system of reciprocity and completely tailored for each woman's needs, and no one will be turned away for lack of funding.

For more information or to meet with me to see if we would be a good fit, please send an email to hello@babayagafarm.com

All the best to you on your journey,

Libby