Postpartum Support | Kara Crawford

Postpartum Support in Connecticut

After your baby arrives, I will remain present, offering tender care as you navigate the early weeks of motherhood. This time is important for you to rest and simply look into your baby’s eyes to get to know them, learn their cues, and listen to their little communications. From the physical changes to the emotional adjustments, I will provide a safe place for you to express your feelings, ask questions, and receive resources. Your comfort and well-being are always my top priorities.

Here is a brief insight into what I offer:

Providing several postpartum home visits to monitor mother and baby’s well-being.

Offering placenta encapsulation for hormonal regulation and nutrient replenishment post-birth, along with drying the umbilical cord as a keepsake.

Practicing belly binding for postpartum women aids in muscle recovery, promotes good posture, and encourages slowness.

Incorporating Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST), Reiki, and abdominal work into a postpartum healing package.

Offering herbal and homeopathic remedies for natural healing and recovery.

Receive Nourishing Postpartum Care

What is Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy (BCST)? BCST is one of the most nourishing options I offer. This practice has evolved from the work of early osteopaths who work with muscles, ligaments, tendons, the spine, and nervous system. It looks at the person as a whole, not separating the physical from the emotions. The belief is that the body knows how to find health. It wants to and we need to give it a safe space to facilitate that. It’s a long and gentle approach to creating a space to listen and be present with your body, and the movement your body needs. A session is held while you’re fully clothed on a massage table. I use gentle touch to facilitate the movements within the nervous system and bodily systems. Afterwards, a cup of tea and moments to sit and chat are offered.

What is Sacred Placenta Encapsulation? Around the world, the placenta is considered sacred by many cultures. It is buried as to tether the child to the earth, to help give the baby the sense of arriving, becoming grounded and having a connection to the earth. Some placentas and babies have a special song or prayer that only a specific family member knows and has a yearly ritual with. In the US, it is seen as biohazard, medical waste. I would love to see us find the sacredness in this organ and honor it. In whatever capacity a family sees fit for them. I invite you to ask questions and research your own ancestors' rituals. I would be happy to assist in that process. The placenta can be used as medicine and ritual. I am honored to be able to take care of placentas. It’s a miraculous organ, grown specifically for each and every mammal baby. It is the life force. Mothers who use their placentas as medicine report having: *Less postpartum depression *Increased milk supply *Increased energy *More balanced hormones Placenta Remedies and products are made in my home where I use the utmost care and attention to sanitation. No chemicals or other ingredients are EVER in contact with your placenta. Products include: *Capsules from dehydrated placenta *Tincture *Frozen pieces for smoothies Disclaimer: Despite a long history of safe placenta consumption, the information here has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. My information is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. People who choose to consume their placenta take full responsibility for researching and using the remedies.

What is Belly Binding? Belly Binding is a cross-cultural tradition of wrapping a woman’s abdomen after giving birth, from her pubic bone to just under the breasts. I use a long piece of cotton to wrap snuggly with a series of knots. This offering will help facilitate your healing. It honors that you recently gave birth, supports your posture for breastfeeding and the muscles that were activated to hold your uterus and baby. This helps make sure your organs also feel secure. Traditionally, this ritual is used in conjunction with a lying-in period after birth, when family and friends are coming by to help the mother feel nourished with warming foods, baths, yoni steaming, massage and deep listening ~ for around 40 days. Together, we can find nourishing support that feels right for you.

“I remember my postpartum period with my second child when I was taking my encapsulated placenta and thinking if I only knew to do this with my first I could have felt this same boost in energy and hint of libido that was ever so missing in my first postpartum period. I've saved about 20 pills to use as I transition through menopause. I remember being bummed when I was getting to the end of my supply of placenta pills since I really like how I felt taking them. As a pre and post natal physical therapist, I highly recommend placenta encapsulation to my patients, anything to ease the transition into motherhood.”