Zoe Weston is a recognized leader in women's health, an anthropologist, and writer. Specializing in the childbearing year, postpartum recovery, and healthy home design, she offers diverse services including postpartum doula online training, childbirth education, and professional organization for healthy living spaces. She integrates diverse cultural practices to promote holistic well-being for women and families. She shares her expertise in this exclusive interview with Sofia Health.
We believe there needs to be more light shed on postpartum baby blues / postpartum depression. What can new moms do to take care of themselves? What signs and symptoms should they be watching out for? When is it time to call a doula or their care team for help?
The best thing mothers can do is to stay in bed as much as possible, eat a postpartum specific diet, and stay warm. There are many signs to look for, some include: feeling hopeless, having little pleasure in doing things, and trouble concentrating. All new mothers can benefit from having the help of a postpartum doula, especially one that focuses on mother-centric care.
What is postpartum depression? How can a doula help during this postpartum phase?
Postpartum depression can occur up to one year after a mother gives birth. It is often from a hormonal imbalance and can also occur in women with a history of depression. A doula can help guide her in proper nutrition, and special healing treatments, which help to balance hormones, heal the womb quicker and induce lactation.
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Prenatal yoga is great to help promote mental and physical relaxation, ease pregnancy symptoms, improve flexibility, and create positive mental patterns, do you have favorite poses for each trimester? When should expecting moms start prenatal yoga?
Expecting moms can start prenatal yoga anytime during their pregnancy. Some of the best poses are hip and pelvic openers such as butterfly and squats (can not be done after 36 weeks).
What is hypnobirthing? What is the philosophy behind this hypnosis technique?
This is a childbirth education philosophy that teaches women how to relax during labor so that their body works at its highest level of efficiency. In turn this helps to alleviate discomfort and have an easier labor.
Doulas bring a lot of tools and techniques to the birthing process. Based on your private sessions and workshops teaching yoga, dance, massage, acupressure, and hypnobirthing, do you have a favorite? Do most moms actually use all of these techniques or is there one that really stands out?
Most of my students tell me that they love and use all of the breathing techniques that I teach, and also many of the dance movements. The movements are used during pregnancy to stay strong and flexible and used during birth to help ease the baby out. The hypnosis is used to help mothers stay relaxed and calm. It is worth noting that some of the techniques I teach are for the mother’s birth partner to implement during labor, such as massage, acupressure and supportive language.
What questions should expecting moms ask a doula before hiring? What are the benefits of working with a doula during birth? How long does a doula work with the mom post-partum?
An expecting mother would want to ask a doula what specific services she offers, how many times will she visit pre and post- birth. There are many benefits of working with a doula, including: shorter labor times, less need for pain medication, less need for interventions like pitocin and cesarean delivery, and less postpartum depression. Most doulas offer 1 to 2 postpartum visits, unless hired specifically for postpartum care.
What essential advice would you offer to expecting moms? What are your top tips that you believe would benefit all birthing parents?
To expecting mothers I’d say remember that even women in comas can give birth, you do not have to think your baby out. Your body knows how to give birth whether you are conscious or not. So all you need to do during labor is relax and let nature take its course. Also remember to nurture yourself during pregnancy, eat well, exercise, receive spa treatments, massages, and laugh as much as you can. The consciousness of a mother goes directly into her child.
What are your most valuable tips for maintaining women's health?
Eat fresh organic food, move your body out in nature - walks, swim, bike, get sunshine daily (5-10 minutes), drink plenty of clean filtered water, join a mama’s circle, do a weekly healing bath, create a home sanctuary that feels clean, cozy and safe for your family.
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