frijaldad de matriz
Listening to my mom tell me of my own birth story, one prominent detail of her memory went something like, “Aghh and those hospital ice chips… they were the best. I don’t know what they do differently, but that ice was so good.” Before our first daughter was born, she gave me that little piece of advice, “Ask for the ice chips.” And now flash forward, here I am listening to mommas relive their experience in birth debriefs and there’s something about those hospital ice chips that still are a highlight of the story.
One thing that has been a lived lesson for me has been the importance of warmth in the early postpartum time. It took actively learning from midwives and traditional postpartum practices across the world to come across this key missing link — so instead of nudging you to the ice chips, or the crotchcicles, I’d like to lovingly tuck into the palm of your hand a quite different piece of wisdom.
In pregnancy our womb is full of life, energy, and warmth. After we give birth, this same space is now considered cold, empty, and because of this, vulnerable to infection if not cared for properly. While this dramatic shift is completely normal and to be expected, our bodies always yearn for balance and will give us signs and symptoms when things are tipped one way or the other.
As the Mexicanas say, their postpartum practices prevent frijaldad de matriz — a cold womb.
Just a few common signs of a cold womb after birth are:
intense afterpains / contractions
large blood clots
low milk supply
pain and inflammation
slow and uncomfortable digestion
infections and fever
While cold pads and ice packs may seem familiar and tempting, especially for a swollen and tender vulva and birth canal, cold compresses are actually counterproductive for healing post-birth. If our blood (that is made up majorly of water) is akin to a flowing river, coldness causes the river to slow. The nourishment, oxygen, and intelligence that our blood carries to our tissues now takes longer to be received, and thus slows the healing process.
This is why traditional postpartum practices across cultures prescribes heat in all forms for all newly postpartum mommas.
warmth (bedrest with plenty of blankets, no open drafty windows, heavy socks, belly binding)
warm, nourishing, easily digested foods, teas, and plenty of warming digestive spices, nothing colder than room temperature should enter her body
heat therapies, such as “mother roasting”, hot herbal soaks, vaginal steaming, and warm oil womb massage
Quality circulation is crucial for repair and nourishment to our tissues that have just expanded to their limit to bring baby through. A warm womb is essential for the cleanse that is taking place post-birth, as the womb clears out all birth matter. Consistent blood flow is key for the prevention of scar tissue formation — which is really important for a comfortable, pain-free return to sex when we’re fully recovered and ready for it, and also a pain-free and balanced menstrual return when that time comes.
Looking at the big picture of a woman’s life, a cold womb left untended after birth can look like prolapse, painful sex, painful menstruation, painful menopausal transition, more. But these things often aren’t connected to inadequate healing post-birth, and then result in major surgerical intervention when there’s “nothing left to offer.”
And so, we offer warmth.
A belly full of warm, easily digestible foods to replenish her system and to allow for her body to produce easily digestible milk for her newborn — preventing colic, constipation, and gastrointestinal discomforts. Warmth at her breast, to prevent clogged ducts and mastitis.
A warm home, surrounded by warmhearted people, that she may rest knowing she and her baby are well resourced, taken care of, and free to settle into the next part of their journey together.
While cold drinks, foods, and practices may be what’s familiar to you, I encourage you to embrace warmth and see how this small shift may allow for accelerated, complete healing and recovery.
With love and warmth from my heart to yours,
G