Grounding for Postpartum Recovery: Post-Pregnancy Reconnection
The weeks after childbirth (the postpartum period) are a time of significant healing and adjustment. New mothers often face exhaustion, hormonal swings, and physical recovery from delivery. Common issues include soreness, swelling (especially in the legs or after a C-section), and mood fluctuations such as the “baby blues.”
While rest, nutrition, and support are the cornerstones of postpartum recovery, some women are exploring grounding (earthing) as a supplementary wellness practice. Grounding means having direct physical contact with the Earth’s surface – for example, walking barefoot on grass or using a grounding bedsheet – to absorb the Earth’s natural electrons.
Proponents believe this can reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve mood. Could such a simple practice truly support postpartum healing?
Let’s look at what science suggests about grounding’s potential benefits for new mothers.
How Does Grounding Help Improve Postpartum Recovery?
After childbirth, a mother’s body is in a state of repair. There may be wound healing happening (like a C-section incision or perineal tear), and the immune system is active in recovering from the stresses of labour. Grounding has been shown to reduce inflammation, which is central to healing. In one peer-reviewed study, researchers found that connecting the body to the Earth significantly reduced redness, heat, swelling, and pain – the classic signs of inflammation – in injuries.
One clinical observation reported that an elderly patient with a chronic non-healing wound achieved rapid tissue repair and pain relief after two weeks of daily grounding. While a stubborn wound in an older adult is quite different from postpartum healing, the underlying principle is similar: earthing appears to enhance circulation and quell excessive inflammation.
For a new mother, this could mean potentially less swelling and faster healing of damaged tissues. Grounding may also help with general aches and pains. After delivery, it’s common to have back pain, neck stiffness (from breastfeeding posture), or uterine cramping as the body readjusts.
A study on grounding during sleep found that people who slept grounded reported less pain and stress than before. The influx of the Earth’s free electrons is thought to act as a natural antioxidant in the body, reducing tissue irritation. So, a brief barefoot walk in the garden or sitting with feet on the ground might provide a dose of natural pain relief to a tired new mom.
Also learn: How long and how often you should ground yourself
Restoring Balance: Sleep and Mood Support
| Study | Subjects | Grounding Method | Key Numerical Findings | What It Means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghaly & Teplitz (2004) | 12 adults with sleep, pain, and stress complaints | Grounded mattress pad during sleep for 8 weeks | Fell asleep faster, slept more deeply, woke more refreshed; cortisol levels more balanced overnight | Grounding improved sleep quality and reduced night-time stress, which could help postpartum mothers feel more rested |
| Chevalier (2015) | Adults in a mood assessment study | 1 hour of grounding with conductive patches | Significant mood improvements, including reduced anxiety and depression symptoms | Grounding provided a quick mood lift and reduced stress, potentially supporting emotional stability after childbirth |
Postpartum recovery isn’t just about healing physically; it’s also about regaining emotional and hormonal balance. Many new mothers struggle with sleep deprivation and mood swings. Intriguingly, grounding has been linked to improvements in sleep quality and mood stabilisation.
In a controlled study, individuals who slept grounded at night fell asleep faster, slept more deeply, and woke feeling more refreshed than those who slept ungrounded. The grounded sleepers also showed more balanced levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, indicating their bodies were less “on edge” overnight. For a postpartum mom, even a slight improvement in sleep (between baby’s feedings) can make a world of difference in daytime energy and emotional resilience.
Mood-wise, earthing might act as a natural stress reducer. New motherhood can be emotionally overwhelming – joy and love mixed with anxiety, and sometimes postpartum depression. Grounding techniques could help by calming the nervous system. One study found that just one hour of grounding the body led to significant improvements in mood, including reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms.
Participants reported feeling more content and less stressed. While this study wasn’t on postpartum women specifically, the results are encouraging for any context involving stress and mood swings. Lowering stress and anxiety levels can certainly benefit a new mom adjusting to the demands of caring for a newborn.
How to Incorporate Grounding After Childbirth
For new mothers, grounding can be easily integrated into daily life. Simply spending a few minutes with bare feet on the earth (for example, a calm moment on the lawn or a short stroll in the backyard) allows the body to discharge stress and soak up the Earth’s stabilising energy.
If going outside isn’t practical, grounding mats or bedsheets can be used indoors to simulate the same effect during rest or sleep.
Is Grounding Safe for Women Who Recently Gave Birth?
For most women, grounding is considered safe after childbirth, especially when done in gentle, low-impact ways. Simple activities like sitting with your feet on the grass, walking barefoot on clean, safe surfaces, or using an indoor grounding mat carry minimal risk. These methods don’t require strenuous movement and can be done while resting.
However, if you have stitches, open wounds, or are recovering from a C-section, it’s best to keep the area clean and avoid exposing it to dirt or unsanitary surfaces. In these cases, indoor grounding tools may be more practical until healing progresses.
If you have any medical concerns or complications, it’s always a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before starting new wellness practices.
Conclusion
Grounding is a simple practice that may offer new moms some extra help postpartum. By reducing inflammation and pain, earthing could support the body’s healing of childbirth-related injuries. Its known benefits for improving sleep and reducing stress are equally valuable as a mother navigates hormone changes and midnight feedings.
Studies have shown faster wound healing and improved mood from grounding. These findings align with the needs of women recovering from pregnancy and birth.
Of course, grounding is not a cure-all – it works best alongside proper medical care, rest, and nutrition. But as a low-cost, natural way to reconnect – both with the Earth and with one’s equilibrium – grounding offers a gentle boost to the postpartum healing journey. Sometimes the simplest comforts, like the ground beneath our feet, can be a source of real restoration.
References:
- Oschman, J. L., Chevalier, G., & Brown, R. (2015). The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Journal of Inflammation Research, 8, 83–96. DOI: 10.2147/JIR.S69656
- Chevalier, G. (2015). The effect of grounding the human body on mood. Psychological Reports, 116(2), 534–542. DOI: 10.2466/06.PR0.116k21w5
- Ghaly, M., & Teplitz, D. (2004). The biologic effects of grounding the human body during sleep as measured by cortisol levels and subjective reporting of sleep, pain, and stress. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 10(5), 767–776. DOI: 10.1089/acm.2004.10.767
