“The first 42 days after birth set the stage
for the next 42 years.”
-Ysha Oaks
(founder of The Sacred Window: Ayurveda for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Care)
The Sacred Window
The postpartum period is revered and respectfully tended to in many cultures all over the world. According to Ayurveda, the 42 days following a birth are a pivotal time when a mother’s tissues and systems are fragile and malleable, creating an environment for transition and reset. When cared for properly, the birther can have a deep healing experience, restoring the body completely after the birth experience, and even transforming her body to be healthier than it was before pregnancy. If the support, quietude and nurturing are not present, there is opportunity for more imbalance to occur, leading to greater health complications down the line. Ysha Oaks, founder of The Sacred Window: Ayurveda for Pregnancy, Childbirth and Postpartum Care wisely says, “The first 42 days after birth set the stage for her next 42 years.”
Mothering the Mothers
“What does it take to help the expanded winter melon-sized uterus return to its normal pear-like size? The dramatic changes in the body of a new mother have to be nurtured slowly back to its prenatal form. If the new mother does not take care during this time, the roots of various ailments will establish themselves and lay dormant in her body, surfacing in her middle age… Proper postnatal care, rest and diet will rebuild a more mature, yet beautiful, body for the new mother.”
-NG Siong Mui, The Chinese Pregnancy & Confinement Cookbook
Benefits of Ayurvedic Postpartum Care
Alleviate common postpartum complications including: postpartum depression and mood disorders, digestive issues, hormonal imbalance, prolonged bleeding, anxiety, lactation issues, blocked milk ducts or mastitis, perineum healing, painful sexual intercourse, fever, bonding issues, etc.
Relieve colic and digestive issues for baby
Receive nourishing and delicious meals freshly prepared and catered to the specific constitutional needs of the birther, restoring digestive capabilities and offering optimum healing and restoration post birth
Attentive housework and tidying services to reduce stress on family, so the birther and baby’s needs come first
Improved relationship dynamics with family and co-parenting partnerships
Rejuvenating and balancing herbal support
Specifically designed Ayurvedic Postpartum Mother’s Massage Instruction
Gentle instruction for mom and partner on infant massage and general baby care
Lactation support
Extended and strengthened family bonding
Emotional support and grounding
Potential reversal and prevention of common ailments, setting the body and mind up for a future with fewer health complications and overall enhanced well-being
What is an ayurdoula?
An Ayurdoula is a postpartum and/or birth doula who is trained in Ayurvedic medicine (a 5,000-year-old medical system from India). Families hire an Ayurdoula to support a pregnancy, birth and/or give comprehensive care during the postpartum period. As a postpartum Ayurdoula, Sara offers nourishing and balanced food preparation, herbal support, specialized massage, Ayurvedic consultation, lactation counsel, light house work, emotional support and guidance for a new family in learning how to best care for mother and baby post birth.
Testimonials
“Sara was a godsend! The day before we met with her, we had gone to a class on postpartum depression and were worried and overwhelmed about the possibility of it. At our first meeting, Sara talked to us about the power of ayurvedic foods and massage in preventing this and wow was that true. I felt nourished and pampered and remember laying in bed after an oil massage and bath, reveling in the luxury of it. Sara helped make my postpartum experience so different from how I imagined it would be. My body healed quickly, my digestion was great, my stress levels were low and my milk supply was abundant! She came several mornings a week and would start with a consult and check in, then make me some delicious food, do an oil massage and a bath with herbs then leave us with some lunch. She also taught our families how to take care of me in terms of food and really encouraged me to let people take care of me while we were taking care of our little one.”
— Rachel G.
“Sara intuitively and attentively created a safe container for me to experience the transition into motherhood, heal, and bond with my baby. She assessed my needs each morning through a mini-Ayurvedic consultation in order to create the flow and food for the day. I honestly have never felt so cared for and nourished in my life. From the abhyanga mother and baby massage instruction, herbal and emotional support, nourishing and dosha-balancing meals to the help tidying and overall easing of household stress, what was the most impactful and impressive was Sara’s ability to navigate and attend to my and my family’s needs and energy during such a vulnerable and intense time.
Sara is an incredible person and healer.”
-Lexy A."
The Services
A Queen for a Day Package
One day of ayurvedic nourishment, massage + education.
This package is ideal if you have a lot of people to support you, but the supporters need some guidance as to how they can best help you. Sara will come into your home and give you a full day of services, while guiding caretaker(s) and educating on the most beneficial and nourishing mama/baby care. Recommended within the first three weeks postpartum.
Includes:
Full ayurvedic health and digestion assessment + helpful recommendations to keep you in balance during your sacred window
Ayurvedic meal preparation for two nourishing meals, one snack, a postpartum drink tonic and an herbal tea, while teaching supporter(s) ayurvedic cooking techniques (if desired)
Postpartum warm oil massage with instruction for mother (and baby if desired)
Healing herbal bath
Belly bind ceremony
Lactation and baby wearing support if needed
Recommended herbal support
This package also includes a “Sacred Window Goodie Basket” with a lactation tea, postpartum chai, sitz bath herbs, and organic ghee ($150 value!), as well as a resource list for support and a preparation pamphlet to help you prepare for the postpartum window.
(Prenatal visit + consultation NOT included, $35 travel fee if outside Boulder county)
The Daily Pamper Package
Beginning from day one and going through the length of your postpartum window, as needed. You choose how many days per week you will desire support and care (recommended 2-5 days a week). Each day consists of 4 hours of services and support. All services included, though it may rotate throughout the week, based on needs of mother and family.
Includes:
Daily Ayurvedic health and digestion assessment with guidance and recommendations
Daily Ayurvedic meal preparation for mother and supporters: at least two meals per day with snacks, teas and milk tonics (ingredients not included)
Regular postpartum warm oil massage with instruction for mother (and baby if desired)
Regular healing herbal baths
Regular belly binding for consistent healing
Lactation and baby wearing support if needed; newborn care education
Herbal support
Additional housekeeping duties as needed (laundry, cleaning, etc.)
Meal train support
Resource list for extra support from your local area.
(Herbal preparations + prenatal consultation visit NOT included. $35/day travel fee if outside Boulder county)
Individual services available
Ayurvedic Postpartum Consultation, Assessment + Education Session (supply + grocery preparation lists, resource packet included)
Nourishing Restorative Postpartum Cooking Services
Abhyanga Massage (with or without instruction) for Birther and/or Baby
Herbal Support Goodie Basket: Includes lactation herbal tea, postpartum chai mix, natural sitz bath, and herbal medicated or plain ghee
-Herbal products can be purchased individually as well.
The Products
Delicious medicines for new mamas. Can be purchased individually, or as a bundle in a beautiful basket. Now offering:
herbal lactation tea
postpartum chai mix
natural sitz bath
digestive spice mix
digestive post-meal herbal chewing mix
organic ghee
herbal medicated (panchakola) ghee
In Ayurveda, Rasa is defined as the Mother of all bodily tissues; that which nourishes Herself first, then all others.
It is of great importance to serve and respect Rasa, for it is She that gives birth to all life.
*A note about inclusion of every body: While the term “mother” is used throughout this page in feminine reference, Sara serves all gender identifying bodies and sexual orientations. This is a discrimination-free business.