Natural Health after Birth: The Complete Guide to Postpartum Wellness Paperback – January 1, 2002

This is a MUST read. Helped me get through the fourth trimester with more kindness and grace.

This book was a recommendation when my First PP. I read it on the second. It has all the details needed. What liked this time were some of the tea and herbal recipes. I guess this was the best pp book I've read. Easy.

I’ve become a big fan of Aviva Romm’s books. Both this and The Natural Pregnancy Book are not only full of helpful herbal recipes, but also delve into the psycho-social experiences of being pregnant and growing into parenthood. There seems to be a major lack of emotional support for pregnant and postpartum folks, as the focus is often on the baby, and I appreciate that she calls attention to this and offers options for support.As an experienced herbalist myself, my opinion is that her herbal preparations are formulated well (this can be hard to find as herbal remedies become more popular but many people make recommendations without studying the subject in depth).Finally, Aviva does a great job of sharing a combination of information that includes lots of alternative health options but is also informative in terms of solid research and more conventional care. Most books I’ve found either lean too heavily either in a medical (soulless, afraid of all non-allopathic suggestions) or super-crunch (lots of personal anecdotes but not enough research or more broadly applicable options for care). I truly appreciate that her view is more well rounded and informed on both sides. Her books, along with “Nurture” by Erica Chidi, have been the absolute best books I’ve read for pregnancy and postpartum care.

I highly recommend this book. It gives a realistic perspective on what goes on with the body, heart and mind after our babies are born. After the birth of my first baby, I was a shocked at how long it took my body to recover and most friends and family had very little to say me about what a new mom needs to do help the body balance. I was a little disappointed actually so I decided to do more research about how to take care of myself postpartum now that our second baby will be arrive this January. After reading this book, I feel like I can put together a better plan for rest and have found more ways to heal the achy bits after the baby is born. I think in the West, we have this feeling like we should be able to "do it all", even after giving birth. When first taking care of newborn son, I called my mother telling her how challenging it was to get rest and take care of the home. She said to me, "What's the big deal taking care of just one baby? I had four of you and no help!" But I remember, she was exhausted. This book suggests that we DO need help and time to rest after birth, whether or not you have one child or four children. I appreciate that.

This book is really just a wonderful book of wisdom for new mothers, whether it is your first or fifth baby. It is so reassuring, and Aviva truly GETS how you're feeling after this life-altering event, giving birth to a brand new human being. It is best read at the end of pregnancy, to help you get ready for post-partum, and then again for referral during the post-partum phase. There are nutritious recipes, herbal remedy recipes, a complete protocol to follow if you begin to display syptoms of mastitis, lots of wisdom worth understanding and even a note from her husband (for your husband). This book helped me to take the time I needed, to NOT try to jump back into life as I knew it, to NOT try to be supermom, and to just focus on what was really important after the births of both of my children. I give this book to every new mother I know, along with bath herbs from Earth Mama Angel Baby. Aviva's tone is so reassuring and soothing, just what a hormonal new mama needs to read.

I get tired of reading books that think yoga is so great...it is a Hindu exercises worshiping the sun and other gods. I do not like this. I will say the rest of the book is great resource for moms and doula. I just wish people would leave yoga in yoga books.

This book was a sacred text talking to me in real time after my first child was born, and in the weeks before as I planned for the postpartum period. The herbal remedies are easy to make and most use ingredients found easily at the local health food store, (for me that was Earth Fare). What I appreciated most was her call for a mother to draw in and respect the postpartum period as a time of healing, integration, and sanctuary. This was my instinct as a new mother, but most people around me found this strange. At the time there seemed to be no other books on the market encouraging a new mother to feel her feelings, take it slow, be honest about her desires, and ask for help after birth. This book has become a go-to gift for new mothers. I love all of Aviva's books and her practical advice.

Must read for all expectant mothers! So much great information and wisdom about caring for yourself once baby arrives.