Postnatal depletion - it's a thing

Yes it sure is….and if you’ve had a baby in the past few years (or even the past decade), and are asking yourself whether you will ever feel energised and vital again, you may well be suffering from this under-recognised syndrome.

Postnatal depletion is a collection of symptoms that encompass not only the physical, but also the psychological and emotional aspects of many new mothers. Prompted by the huge amounts of nutrients required to carry, birth and then potentially breastfeed a baby; then compounded by chronic sleep deprivation and the stress of motherhood, postnatal depletion can really take the joy out of being a mum if left unchecked.

With so much focus placed on the pregnancy and birth of the child, many mums feel that post-birth they are really left to struggle through on their own, often with minimal physical or emotional support. At a time when they have never felt like they needed more care and support, many mums are left to their own devices, trying to manage all the tasks they always did but now with the addition of extreme sleep deprivation, a new job they have no idea how to do, and ongoing demands on their physical and emotional resources. This can lead to a plethora of physical symptoms including brain fog, (often extreme) fatigue, heightened sensitivity to light/sound/smells, and other fun stuff like hair loss, dry skin and brittle nails, and receding gums.

Emotionally there are also big changes that take place. During pregnancy, a mothers’ brain physically changes to develop the areas that will make her more attuned to the needs of her child. This, combined with major hormonal changes, disrupted circadian rhythm, and the inevitable social and psychological pressures that come with being a new mum, can be a recipe for a barrage of unwanted emotional symptoms. These may include fear and hypervigilance, anxiety, anger, guilt, overwhelm, feelings of isolation and insignificance, and loss of libido.

These symptoms may persist for years, and with the birth of subsequent children may even continue to worsen. Hence the importance of starting to rectify some of the areas that have been affected in order to work back toward good health sooner rather than later. Many mothers are lacking in key micronutrients such as iron and zinc and these deficiencies need to be identified through blood testing and treated accordingly before other areas can be addressed.

Macronutrients need to be rebuilt as well and this involves implementing a wholefood diet with appropriate levels of fats, protein and carbohydrates. Whilst this may seem like mission impossible for a fatigued and time-poor mother, it is highly achievable with the correct guidance and support. Similarly, the hormone depletion present in postnatal depletion can be addressed through appropriate diet and lifestyle changes which ARE possible with the right guidance. The addition of herbal medicine is a major component here, with a wide range of herbs available to support the restoration and revitalisation of the body and mind.

Postnatal depletion can feel like wading through cement, however, the upshot is that you CAN return to your pre-baby levels of energy and vitality, and feel once again that you are on top of things and can fully enjoy the experience of motherhood. You just need the right support!