‘THE FIRST FORTY DAYS - THE ESSENTIAL ART OF NOURISHING THE NEW MOTHER’ - BY HENG OU - A BOOK REVIEW

This book was recommended by many during my Doula training and was immediately added on my “Wishlist” on Booktopia. Both postpartum care and support are a passion of mine and the idea of reading a whole book dedicated to it gave me all the feels.

The transition into parenthood or post-birth healing is filled with a love like no other, joy, challenges, and adaptation. Preparing for postpartum beforehand can go a long way in those early weeks when sleep is lacking, your body is healing, and if you’re a brand new mama, doing everything for the very first time.

Planning for life after baby is so much more important than which stroller you purchase, the

crib you assemble or which colour you paint the nursery. We spend so much time and money preparing for pregnancy and labour, but hardly any time is devoted to preparing for the new life AFTER welcoming your baby earthside.

The First Forty Days - a gentle guide for postpartum healing and care is inspired by the Chinese Tradition of zuo yuezi. The literal translation means "doing the month". Traditionally, a woman remains at home during this period. During this time, her behaviour in relation to diet, activity and hygiene is determined by tradition, and the theory behind traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) underlies some of these beliefs and practices the practice of sitting for forty plus days post-birth. Zuo yuezi, and similar practices, occur within many different cultures and countries to support postpartum recovery and prepare for parenthood. While for some it may not be possible or ideal to completely shut the outside world out for this length of time, there is a lesson to be learned from this practice.

Society expects women to ‘bounce back’ but this overlooks a crucial period of healing and adjustment. The pressure to just ‘get on with it’ comes at a time when we typically have less support than ever - we no longer have the same family and community support that was available generations ago, our lives are ones of increasingly lost connection.

Using ‘the five insights’; retreat, warmth, support, rest, and ritual, Ou presents plenty of methods for self-care and recovery that are easy and range from creating a support team, preparing for parenthood to incorporating spiritual and emotional practice. Almost half of the book is dedicated to nutritional information, recipes and instructions designed to warm, rebuild, and nourish the mother - everything from bone broth to body scrub, from lactation tea to ginger fried-rice and my personal favourite, Hearty Sausage Stew. Some of the recipes won’t appeal to mainstream readers (the placenta smoothie recipes won’t do it for everyone) but the book is packed with wonderful advice, and it is presented in a gentle and supportive way.

The First Forty Days is a wonderful resource for expectant mothers (new and experienced), partners and birth workers. It acknowledges the experience one goes through in childbirth and why a period of recovery and being cared for is important to their overall health and wellness. I have learnt so much from this book and will be incorporating techniques not only in my birth work but my journey as a mother too.

I encourage everyone to read this book, and to reread it up often. I genuinely love it and hope you will too, I highly recommend it and will be lending it to all my future clients.

My name is Lucy Denny and I am and I am a birth & postpartum doula who trained with Doula Training Academy. I bring a wealth of knowledge, evidence-based information and skills that support and help you as you transition from maiden to mother.

With your best interest at heart, I aim to make your experience the best that it can be. For you to feel secure in all the choices you make and provide you with current evidence-based information throughout your preconception, pregnancy, labour, birth and postpartum period.

If you would like to connect, I invite you to follow the links below to see my website and social media. Feel free to reach out at any time.

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0413 217 766

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auraandsoul@gmail.com

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Website:

www.auraandsoul.com.au