The transformation of a female, from a woman to Mother is the happiest lifetime event, but this happiness is gained only after undergoing tremendous physical exertion during labor; so old people used to term,’labor‘ as women’s rebirth. The woman becomes extremely debilitated physically and mentally, after the delivery. In addition she now has an extra responsibility of feeding and taking care of her baby, which is possible only if she is fit and strong. It is therefore very important to take utmost care of the newborn mother as well.

The mother who has just given birth to a baby is termed as ‘Sutika’ in Ayurveda, and the care is termed as ‘Sutika Paricharya’. Sutika phase lasts for 6 weeks, which means she should take the much needed rest, care, nutritious diet at least for 6 weeks and let her body regain all the lost energy and bring the imbalanced doshas to normalcy.During this period, the expanded uterus shrinks back to normal position. Ligaments, muscles and tendons associated with uterus starts gaining back the lost power. Mother also recovers back the mental strength, which is a bit low in the first week after delivery.

The first week after delivery is extremely important, as there is dramatic alteration in woman’s body. The process of labor is initiated and controlled by Vata, the fully stretched uterus is suddenly vacated after the delivery, thus filling the cavity with vata. There is lot of turbulence in activities of vata dosha throughout the body, which if left unattended can cause various vata ailments during sutika avastha or in near future.