Traditionally, the post-natal or the postpartum period refers to a period of time….around 4 weeks, which starts immediately after you have given birth, and it is a time when you may be adjusting to breast feeding, getting used to your baby’s new schedule….or lack of, as your woken throughout the night by your little one, as well as recovering from your labour or birth experience, whether that was a natural or c-section. This period will also include a number of in clinic or at home visits from your post-natal midwife and health visitor team, to check on you and your newborn. They might check your stitches or scar if you have either, ask you some questions about your moods to assess your risk factors for developing post-natal depression, offer contraception advice, as well as make sure you are coping with breastfeeding.
That sounds like a lot to pack into 4 weeks and it does tend to be a bit of a blur, so it’s definitely not recommended as a time to increase your social activity, commitments and start renovating your home. Instead, taking time to rest as often as you can, whether that’s just taking lots of breaks or actually napping when your baby naps, eating nourishing foods, staying hydrated and staying connected with those friends and family who are genuinely happy to help in the ways you actually need. The post-natal period within natural and functional health practitioner circles, is also now being viewed within much wider parameters and some, including myself, view it as potentially lasting much longer than just the traditional 4 weeks post birth, with some women showing signs of post- natal depletion, as long as 8 years post birth, particularly if you have had multiple children. Post-natal depletion, is considered to be a syndrome, rather than a disease, therefore rarely acknowledged by western medicine, much like chronic fatigue. However, to anyone experiencing these symptoms it is all very real. Common symptoms of post-natal depletion can include bone aching exhaustion, brain fog, headaches, low mood and anxiety as well as frequent infections to name a few. Functional medicine practitioner, Dr Oscar Serrallach, describes post-natal depletion as “the understandable outcome of a series of events, leading to the depletion of a woman’s well-being at multiple levels”. He also explains that 3 key factors are at play including 1) The nutrients given over to making, incubating, birthing and breastfeeding. 2) Sleep deprivation and 3) Social isolation from the drastic change of the mother's new role. There are several overlaps between post-natal depletion and post-natal depression, so it’s important to correctly decipher between the two. I cover in more detail, how I work with my client to help them recover and heal from post-natal depletion in my blog
‘post-natal Health’ so head over there to learn more
https://www.everymothernutrition.co.uk/post/post-natal-health.
I will also be writing, a more I depth post on how diet and lifestyle can help support
‘Post-natal depression’ so keep checking in to access this info.
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