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Old 11-04-2006, 12:22 AM   #1
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Question Uterine Massage +/ East Indian Birth & PP Culture?

I'm going to meet a client who asked me up front about uterine massage. She's from India where it's part of the work traditional doulas do there... fist massage to expell products of the birth. I told her that here in Canada at the hospital it's probable that they'll massage her uterus this way immediately after the birth of the placenta. But I myself prefer the let-the-baby-nurse/mother-as-oxytocin-factory technique of helping the involution of the uterus. I'd like to respect her cultural postpartum norms and plan to learn more about her expectations when we meet tomorrow. Her EDD is Nov. 9 and she has a different doula for labour.

I recall Aussie Doula mentioning such a massage she routinely does in her pp practice. Anyone else on uterine massage and/or Indian birth/pp culture?

Thank you!!



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Old 11-04-2006, 12:35 AM   #2
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I don't understand what you're asking: how to do uterine massage, if she wants it done, if she doesn't want it done, how to do it for her culture....?? So I guess I have no information about the pp uterine massage, but my east indian client received a "cake" from her friends. She gave me some. I took one bite and my eyes started to water. It was extremely spicy with curry. She told me the women eat it to "make their backs strong again" Maybe you'll get the chance to eat some or she'll have the recipe and you can make it for her!
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Old 11-04-2006, 05:17 PM   #3
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Hi, thanks for the response. What I meant was how do I do the massage... does any one have some discriptive advice or a link where I might learn more.

About the cultural question, I was just wondering if anyone could tell me more about east Indian postpartum traditions? Has anyone experienced being a doula for traditional East Indian people?

I didn't know about the cake, but an Indian friend told me to eating almonds as a pp trick for afterpains in India. I met with the client earlier today and she told me doulas normally do daily bathing and massage of the infant for the first 15 days or so while the mother rests. She also told me that in India many pp activities revolve around voiding the body of pregnancy products... the mother gets uterine massage, baby is bathed often and baby gets hair shaved off soon after birth to rid of pre-birth hair. That's different than my own approach to things, but I like the idea of respecting her cultural traditions so look forward to working with mom and the babe.


I'd love to hear more... on Uterine Massage in particular... Ladies?


Thank you,

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Old 11-04-2006, 06:44 PM   #4
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After the Baby's Birth: A Woman's Way to Wellness : A Complete Guide for Postpartum Women by Robin Lim is a really good book. I don't remember if she mentions massage, but she talks about some of the indian traditions and culture, I think.
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Old 11-04-2006, 09:46 PM   #5
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The massage I "teach" mamas is primarily for afterpains. Sometimes when mama has had more than one baby she will complain of severe afterpains (often lasting days to literally weeks) so I will show her how she can reduce her pain by massaging her own uterus - especially right before nursing so the contraction pains are less severe.

I don't massage mamas, I demonstrate on my own belly to show them what they should be doing but - in general - vocal guidance is enough.
There shouldn't be any kneading or deep probing, have mama just do a gentle, firm stroke around the top/back/sides of her fundus downward from her navel (just like rubbing a baby's head). It should be gentle, if it is too painful she can stop or apply a lighter pressure. Only she knows what feels right for her body. If she feels any lumps or bumps, she can help gently guide them downward by using the sides of her hands (or whatever feels best for her).

Sometimes mama won't need it, but I think showing mamas how to feel her uterus goes beyond just massaging for well-being... This is a special time for her and one of the rare instances she may get to actually feel her uterus and the place that sheltered her child.
Mamas feel how strong their uterus is and how it subsides day by day, shrinking back to its former self. Even in cases where mama is tolerating afterpains well, this connection has proved precious to many.

As for working with East Indian mamas, I have only had one - a couple that thought American management was the "right" way of doing things and were surprised when many of my own philosophies so closely echoed that of their traditional family members. It was really quite sad hearing this mama ask timidly about diapering and bottlefeeding because that was all she had been "educated" about since arriving in the States and thought that was the only way it should be done here. Seeing how much she doubted her own traditions and was so eager to embrace American attitudes made me really feel for her because she was in such a state of confusion. It felt rewarding when she discovered that I helped confirm that ECing, babywearing, and cosleeping could all be accomplished happily in Western society and that her intuition and traditions didn't have to be ignored.

So, while I haven't really been exposed much to their birthing culture or postpartum care, I have helped one mama feel comfortable doing what she felt was right.
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