The House Remains Dark Until the Mother Awakens: The Lived Experience of Using Natural Practices for Mental Health Healing in Postpartum Population

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the lived experience of six mothers who utilized natural practices for mental health healing in postpartum. As a response to Western psychology’s reliance on clinical practices that uphold the mind–body split, the purpose of this research was to gain insight into the lived experience of mothers who used natural practices for mental health healing in postpartum. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, six women who gave birth and used natural practices for mental health healing during the first 3 years postpartum were interviewed. The interviews revealed deeply meaningful and unique stories of suffering and its symptom expressions in postpartum. A vast array of highly individualized natural practices were utilized that incorporated time outdoors, herbs and plants, bodywork, solitude with baby, movement, nutrition, supplements, and support. The findings uncovered that the meaning the participants made from the practices were as impactful as the interventions themselves. Natural practices acted as a catalyst for multidirectional connection in five key areas: (a) body, (b) baby, (c) Earth, (d) stillness, and (e) intuition. Finally, the mothers discussed the imperative role of support in being able to engage in natural practices that allowed them to heal their suffering or elude it all together.