This covers general care of both the mother and the baby as well as danger signs in the postnatal period. Special mention is made for supporting women with depression. This topic is used to practise the skills of facilitating family and group support and respecting the concerns of women.

The mother and newborn must be assessed carefully before they are discharged from the facility or before the care provider leaves the mother's home to detect any high-risk factors or potential problems that might need closer observation. Newborns delivered in health facilities should not be sent home in the critical first 24 hours after birth. Mothers who deliver at home should be checked within the first 24 hours. Subsequent checks, regardless of delivery location, should take place on Day 3 after birth, in the first 2–3 weeks, and at 6 weeks. These checks are also an opportunity for the care provider to counsel the mother and family members on preventive care, detect danger signs, and encourage appropriate care seeking.

The postpartum period begins after the delivery of the baby and ends when the mother's body has nearly returned to its pre-pregnant state. This period usually lasts six to eight weeks.

The postpartum period involves the mother progressing through many changes, both emotionally and physically, while learning how to deal with all the changes and adjustments required with becoming a new mother. The postpartum period also involves the parents learning how to care for their newborn and learning how to function as a changed family unit. A mother needs to take good care of herself to rebuild her strength. You will need plenty of rest, good nutrition, and help during the first few weeks.

Every new parent soon learns that babies have different time clocks than adults. A typical newborn awakens about every three hours and needs to be fed, changed, and comforted. Especially if this is their first baby, parents–in particular the mother–can become overwhelmed by exhaustion. Although a solid eight hours of sleep for you may not happen again for several months, the following suggestions may be helpful in finding ways to get more rest now. In the first few weeks, a mother needs to be relieved of all responsibilities other than feeding the baby and taking care of herself. Sleep when the baby sleeps. This may be only a few minutes of rest several times a day, but these minutes can add up.

Save steps and time. Have your baby's bed near yours for feedings at night. Many new parents enjoy visits from friends and family, but new mothers should not feel obligated to entertain. Feel free to excuse yourself for a nap or to feed your baby. Get outside for a few minutes each day. You can begin walking and doing postpartum exercises, as advised by your health care provider. After the first two to three weeks, introduce a bottle to breastfed babies for an occasional nighttime feeding. This way, someone else can feed the baby, and you can have a longer period of uninterrupted sleep.

A mother's body has undergone many changes during pregnancy, as well as with the birth of her baby. She needs to heal and recover from pregnancy and childbirth. In addition to rest, all mothers need to maintain a healthy diet to promote healing and recovery. The weight gained in pregnancy helps build stores for your recovery and for breastfeeding. After delivery, all mothers need to eat well so that they can be healthy and active and able to care for their baby.

Whether they breastfeed or formula feed, all mothers need to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Most lactation experts recommend that breastfeeding mothers should eat when they are hungry. But many mothers may be so tired or busy that food gets forgotten. So, it is essential to plan simple and healthy meals that include choices from all of the recommended group and is divided into five food group categories, emphasizing the nutritional intake of the following:

Grains. Foods that are made from wheat, rice, oats, cornmeal, barley, or another cereal grain are grain products. Examples include whole wheat, brown rice, and oatmeal.

Vegetables. Vary your vegetables. Choose a variety of vegetables, including dark green, red, and orange vegetables, legumes (peas and beans), and starchy vegetables.

Fruits. Any fruit or 100 percent fruit juice counts as part of the fruit group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.

Dairy. Milk products and many foods made from milk are considered part of this food group. Focus on fat-free or low-fat products, as well as those that are high in calcium.

Protein. Go lean on protein. Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry. Vary your protein routine--choose more fish, nuts, seeds, peas, and beans.

Although most mothers want to lose their pregnancy weight, extreme dieting and rapid weight loss can be hazardous to your health and to your baby's if you are breastfeeding. It can take several months for a mother to lose the weight she gained during pregnancy. This can be accomplished by cutting out high-fat snacks and concentrating on a diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, balanced with proteins and carbohydrates. Exercise also helps burn calories and tone muscles and limbs.

Essential Newborn Care(ENC) is care that every newborn baby needs regardless of where it is born or its size. ENC should be applied immediately after the baby is born and continued for at least the first 7 days after birth. Many ENC interventions are simple and can be provided by a qualified Nurse, Skilled Birth Attendant(SBA) or a trained Community Health Worker

Most newborn deaths can be prevented by mothers and CHWs (Community Health Workers) carrying out the following healthy practises:

Keep baby warm: Care givers and mothers make sure the newborn baby is immediately dried after birth, placed on the abdomen(skin to skin), covered with a clean towel/cloth and a hat on the head. They make sure the baby is NOT bathed for the first 24 hours.

Help baby breathe: Care givers and mothers assist the newborn baby to take its first breath by immediately rubbing its back and feet to stimulate it to cry and by clearing the mouth if it having any difficulty in breathing

Keep baby clean: Care givers and mothers wash their hands before touching the newborn baby, they cut the umbilical cord with a clean blade, they keep the cord area clean and dry, they do not put anything on the cord stump(exception in some country/district contexts-care giver or mother applies chlorhexidine antiseptic(gel or liquie) as soon possible after cutting the cord and then daily for 7 days)

Help baby feed: Care givers and mothers assist the newborn baby to breastfeed within 1 hour after birth and make sure the baby receives the first milk(colostrum) and only breast milk and no other fluids for the first 6 months

Help the small baby surivive: Care givers and mothers give extra special care to the small baby by practicing ENC plus kangaroo mother care(KMC) which means placing it naked skin to skin on the mother's chest and continuing this day and night cleaning airway and stimulating crying drying the baby with a clean, dry cloth, covering the head, without wiping the vernix caseosa, and refraining from bathing the baby for 24 hours immediate warming by placing baby in skin-to-skin contact with mother (use KMC for LBW baby) cleaning umbilical cord and wiping eyes with a clean cloth immediate and exclusive breast-feeding

Having been nourished by the pregnant woman for nine months in the womb the most important need of a newborn for the first 24 - 48 hours is protection. Unlike adults, who can readily adjust to changes in temperature, newborns become hot or cold more quickly and can easily die from rapid changes in temperature. A newborn does not have a mature system to fight infections so it is essential to breast-feed exclusively which provides colostrum combined with warming (skin-to skin contact and the act of loving care).

Face It's disconcerting to see a newborn with a red, blotchy face, but baby acne is a common and harmless condition.

Care tip: Wash your baby's face daily with mild baby soap.

Eyes Some babies have a yellowish discharge or crusting in the eye or on the lid, which is usually caused by a blocked tear duct. This condition can last several months.

Care tip: Wipe the area using a cotton ball moistened with warm water.

Scalp Many newborns develop a scaly scalp condition called cradle cap. It typically disappears in the first few months.

Care tip: Wash your baby's hair with a gentle baby shampoo no more than three times a week and gently brush out the scales daily using a baby hairbrush or soft toothbrush.

Nose Babies' narrow nasal passages tend to fill with mucus.

Care tip: Gently unclog nostrils with an infant-sized nasal bulb syringe or try the trauma-minimizing Nosefrida. To loosen mucus, insert saline solution with an eyedropper before suctioning.

Nails A newborn's nails usually are soft, but they can scratch his sensitive skin.

Care tip: Use baby nail clippers or blunt-nosed scissors. Clip after his bath when nails are soft, or when he's asleep and his fingers are relaxed.

Skin Some babies develop red, itchy patches called eczema or atopic dermatitis—an inheritable skin condition.

Care tip: Limit baths to 10 minutes, and use a mild, fragrance-free soap and lukewarm water; liberally apply hypoallergenic skin cream immediately afterward. Stick to cotton clothing.

Bottom Too much moisture plus sensitive skin can equal diaper rash for many babies.

Care tip: Change diapers frequently. Rinse your baby's bottom with water during each change and blot dry. Avoid using wipes; they may irritate skin. Barrier creams, such as petroleum jelly or white zinc oxide, may help.

Umbilical cord Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry; it will shrivel and fall off within a few weeks.

Care tip: Avoid covering the cord area with a diaper and stick to sponge baths until the stump detaches.

Circumcision The tip of the penis will be swollen, and a yellow scab will appear.

Care tip: Gently clean the genital area with warm water daily. Use petroleum jelly to protect the site and prevent the penis from sticking to a diaper.

Legs Newborns' legs are bowed out and the feet are turned in, which is no surprise, given their previous cramped living quarters.

Care tip: Don't worry about it—your baby's legs and feet will straighten in anywhere from six to 18 months.

Feet Newborns' toes frequently overlap and the nails look ingrown (but aren't).

Care tip: Don't sweat it—this appearance is perfectly normal.

Keep the umbilical cord stump clean and dry; it will shrivel and fall off within a few weeks.

Care tip: Avoid covering the cord area with a diaper and stick to sponge baths until the stump detaches.

The tip of the penis will be swollen, and a yellow scab will appear.

Care tip: Gently clean the genital area with warm water daily. Use petroleum jelly to protect the site and prevent the penis from sticking to a diaper.

Newborns' legs are bowed out and the feet are turned in, which is no surprise, given their previous cramped living quarters.

Care tip: Don't worry about it—your baby's legs and feet will straighten in anywhere from six to 18 months.

Newborns' toes frequently overlap and the nails look ingrown (but aren't).

Care tip: Don't sweat it—this appearance is perfectly normal.

At present delivery and caesarean sections take place only in allopathy hospitals. You may can start the Ayurvedic Post Natal Care soon after your delivery.

Ashwasana (Psychological Reassurance) is the most important work which stabilizes psychology of puerpera. There is physical and emotional exhaustion following delivery, due to rigors of labour and inadequate sleep because of stress towards caring for a new born can pack a powerful exhausting punch. So new mothers should be encouraged to talk about their feelings and fears with others. Psychological reassurance and consultation is very much important to avoid puerperial psychological disorders like the baby blues, postpartum depression, birth related post traumatic birth disorder and rare condition called postpartum psychosis.

Ayurveda refers to a post natal care as Sutika Paricharya for 90 days after delivery or until the onset of her next period. The science specifies special diet for the Sutika Paricharya to ensure a smooth recovery. Such care will enable the uterus to shrink back to its original state and also help produce sufficient breast milk and prevent infection. Post natal Ayurvedic care can be done in three stages. This cure will have long terms benefits. We know that the care given to the pregnant woman is for both the mother and child. But the care given after delivery is a life-long one for the mother. Plus it is intended to lend her the health to raise future generations.

Massage, tones up muscles of pelvic floor, abdominal and back tissues and relieves muscle spasm. It improves digestion and is also responsible for improved venous blood flow by dilating superficial blood vessels which in turn prevents thrombosis. Abhyanga (massage) soothes nervous & endocrine system, releases endorphin (the feel good hormone) which improves both physical & mental well being, thus reducing the stress during puerperium. Yoni Abhyanga (vaginal oiling) tones up vagina and perineum and prevents laxity and prolapse, alleviates pain and swelling of vagina. It also heals vaginal and perineal wounds.

Oil massage and hot water bath – should be continued for the next 2 to 3 months. This helps to strengthen the lower back, hip area, bones, muscles and ligaments. Some start massaging after 5 days and some after 10 days.

Can lower abdomen and gluteus region be massaged with oil after delivery?
If the delivery is normal, then there is no problem in massaging the abdominal and waist area. If the delivery was through surgery (caesarian), then better to avoid lower abdominal area, till the suture heals completely.

After childbirth: Oils preferred are:-

Lumbar belt – Using an abdomen belt with moderate pressure at least for 4 – 5 hours a day helps to strengthen the back, supports uterus and ligaments.

Rest – While mild walking is quite okay, rigorous work, heavy weight lifting is totally discouraged. It leaves the uterine muscles and tendons weak. Uterine prolapsed during post mid life is linked to improper after delivery care of mother and rest.

Musta – Nut grass – It helps to improve breast milk production and also relieves milk duct clogs. Its paste is made with water and applied over breasts to relieve inflammation and to improve lactation. If the baby has mild fever or diarrhea, a water decoction of this herb is made and administered to the mother. (Yashtimadhu (Mulethi, Licorice) and fennel are the other two herbs used for improving lactation)

Shatavari – A teaspoon of powder is mixed with a cup of milk and boiled. It is administered for a period of 5th day to 3 – 4 months to improve breast milk production. Apart from improving breast milk, it is also useful to calm the mind (useful in post partum depression). It assists in normal involution of uterus as well.

Dashamoola – Soon after childbirth there will be inflammation and to treat it and boost immunity Dashamola, a group of ten roots is used in the forms of kashaya, that is herbal tea or Dashamoola Aristam, a fermented liquid prepared it. Dashamoola has Anti-inflammatory properties.

Jeeraka – Cumin – Is a very good digestive herb used commonly in Indian cuisine. Jeeraka helps digestion, cleanses and detoxifies uterus and it is very good for mother care after delivery.

Panchakola Churnam – supports low appetite, bloating, indigestion.
Jiraka Arishtam – helps with postnatal care, chronic bronchitis, hiccough, and consumption.
Abhaya Arishtam – used for hemorrhoids, bloating, constipation, difficulty in urinating.

Common approach to post natal care for every new mother will not be very beneficial. The choice of internal medicines, oils for massage, spices and foods to be included in your diet are very specific to your body and the care is different depending on the type of delivery. It is also good to be under medical guidance while taking herbs like Shatavari which is commonly used to enhance breast milk quantity. But what most women don't know is what is the correct dosage for them and when to stop. Such mistakes are also adopted while consuming internal medicine like Dashamoolarista and other oral medicines. So it is best to consult with an Ayurveda Doctor before you embark on your post natal journey and make the best use of science.