With vitamin and mineral deficiencies so common after birth – note, common not normal, how are you supposed to know what you need?

 

In this article we’ll look at what to look out for, what to eat and why taking supplements isn’t ideal. 

 

Disclaimer – I’m not a Dr or naturopath and this information is not intended to replace advice from your health care provider.  Always check with them and follow your own guidance and intuition.

 

Did you know women are often starting out with vitamin or mineral deficiencies before even becoming pregnant? 

And usually we turn to supplements (there’s a plethora out there) and I’ll explain why this isn’t a good thing soon.

 

Firstly, it’s no secret our soils have become majorly depleted. If you’re buying your fruit & veg from the major supermarkets, chances are they are not very nutrient rich.  If they aren’t nutrient rich, guess what?  You’ll be getting limited nutrition from them.

 

Then the pregnancy begins.  Morning sickness brings with it limited food choices as you normally can’t stomach much more than dry crackers or vegemite toast for a couple of months. 

 

There’s usually a big emphasis on having folate which is usually in supplements as a synthetic version called Folic acid, and that isn’t ideal.

 

that which requires loads of vitamins and minerals to have the baby growing well. Did you know iron is one that lowers as your baby grows?

 

and with the birth recovery (not to mention if you’ve had a cesarean), lack of sleep, and becoming so busy looking after another tiny human you’re just not in the space to think about cooking nourishing meals.

 

So by this time, with blood loss, lack of sleep, hormones shifting, not eating properly let alone regularly, a mothers body is needing loads more nutrients and just not getting them.  That is, if you are in the common situation of having little support and not knowing what your body actually needs after this massive journey.

 

for depletion, depression and other issues?  In fact,  postnatal depression can often be misdiagnosed when it can actually be a major iron deficiency.  This is a good thing to remember, and when you see your health care professional, have them check your iron levels first.

 

All supplements are not made equal and as mentioned before with folate, the synthetic versions are often in these supplements – folic acid.  Synthetic B12 is Cyanocobalamin. 

 

These aren’t easy to digest, and they don’t stay in the body for long.  Ever had B vitamins and then done a pee to find it very yellow and smelling like B vitamins?  That doesn’t happen when you get it in the food you’re eating.

 

Which brings me to this: 

your body changes a lot during pregnancy and after birthing, and your digestive system needs extra care and attention, your nervous system needs nourishing and your emotional system needs some support.

 

and keep them warm.  When you work with easy to digest, warm foods, it’s allowing your body to absorb the vitamins and minerals contained in the foods.  Things like organic bone broths, vegetable broths,  soups, good quality fats, and proteins too.

 

It’s something I didn’t know even after having my 5th baby 

and it was an easy birth at home. 

 

I was vegan at the time and because it was mid summer I was having green smoothies and fruits and before long I became quite depleted, lacked energy, and on top of that I hadn’t slept well in over 22 year.  I started having digestive issues, and though Doctor’s couldn’t find anything wrong, I knew something wasn’t right. 

 

I started resorting to drinking Apple Cider Vinegar with meals and having bi-carb in water before bed because I was not able to digest much fats.   even had a gall bladder attack twice – yet no gall stones.  I had no idea what was going on.

 

to heal postpartum health issues, even years after having your baby. 

 

Thanks to the certification training in postpartum nutrition I undertook, I learned sooo much about a women’s body after childbirth.  I  finally  found the answers I’d been looking for about my own health for the past 9+ years.

 

When you come back to eating these nutrient rich and easy to digest foods and give yourself the nourishment your body needs, it helps increase your vitamin and mineral absorption through whole foods. 

 

Can you imagine feeling so good again that you’ve got your energy back, and you’re feeling more capable rather than everything’s too hard?  You’re more tolerant rather than snappy and you’re  sleeping – even if you’re waking up to your little one during the night still, you can go back to sleep easily. 

 

 

the meals, so you know what to eat, the shopping list so you know what to buy, the prep & cooking and having things on hand for those sneak-up-on-you hangry moments.   I’ve been there before and it’s not much fun being all over the place. 

 

If you want to make a start in the right direction, download your  FREE Nourishing Recipes for a Mama’s Wellbeing recipe booklet.