Postpartum Depression: Natural Treatment

Postpartum Depression: Natural Treatment
While giving birth is one among the most wonderful and beautiful events in life and evolution, some new mothers face a challenge. Mothers can feel sad or angry after giving birth. It is common for these feelings to occur within 2 days. Pregnancy hormones may suddenly drop and the mother realizes that she has a newborn baby who needs constant attention. A majority of mothers experiencing a mood drop after giving birth are called “postpartumblues”. 13% of new mothers experience major depression in the weeks following childbirth, which is known as postpartum depressive episode (Wisner et. al., 2002). While hormones and fatigue may be the main driving factors for some women, it is important to realize that many mothers feel ashamed of these symptoms. As many as 200,000 women experience postpartum Depression each year in the United States, so if you’re a new mother, you are not alone. Wisner et.al., 2002. Risk factors that increase the likelihood of depression include conflict with the father and stressful life events. An ancient Chinese healing art called acupuncture is being sought by more women to provide a drug-free option for their pregnancy-related issues. It can also support the mother’s lifestyle and help ease the transition into motherhood.
Women postpartum are the best time to seek regular preventative care from a Chinese postpartum doctor. Acupuncturists have the ability to reverse years of unhealthy lifestyles and stress during the first few weeks of motherhood. They also can detect irregularities in lochialflow and fix them. To counteract depressionchinese postpartum after birth, Acupuncture uses acupuncture to stimulate the normal healing process of a woman. Acupuncture can be used after delivery to reduce anxiety and stress, as well as restoring energy levels and alleviating depression.As new mothers enter this phase of life, it is important for them to have some options that will help with postpartum issues.
Nutrition
After a baby is born, it is easy for the mother to become so concerned about the health of her newborn that she forgets the importance of eating well. Remember that breast milk gives the baby the nutrients that the mother receives. A mother’s diet should be rich in fruits, vegetables, and low in sugar or caffeine. Some babies won’t like breastmilk or may be allergic to it.
Certain foods can have an impact on the child’s digestive system. Even if a mom isn’t breastfeeding, her diet may help to reduce mood swings. Her body is strong and is rich in nutrients.
Exercise
Who has the time to exercise? In our clinic, we hear this a lot. Exercise for a new mom can be as simple and easy as taking your baby on a daily walk in a stroller. Movement and fresh air have a remarkable ability to regulate your mood. There are many other ways to exercise with a newborn, including push ups, yoga poses, and stomach crunches. These can be done at 30-second intervals throughout your day. This will save you from the need to find time to do them. The total time it takes to hold a pose, do 20 push-ups, or do 25 stomach crunches in a single day is 7 minutes and 30 secs. It can help with postpartum depression.
Supplements/Herbal therapy
To calm the mind and improve mood, you can take supplements or herbal treatments. Though some herbs may alter the taste and texture of breast milk, a skilled herbalist should be capable of creating a formula that is both beneficial to the mother and the baby. These are some important supplements to take into consideration:
– Multivitamin – A high quality vitamin is crucial
B-Complex B vitamins: B vitamins are essential to boost mood. However, they are assimilated in a complex form by the body so that one B vitamin is not effective.
– Flax Oil: Babies don’t like the taste and texture of their mother’s breast milk. Fish oil pills can cause nausea in babies so it is worth substituting flax for borage or flax.
– 5-HTP – A common supplement for depression. This is converted to serotonin through the use of B vitamins
Acupuncture/Massage
These therapies are extremely nurturing and supportive of a mother’s overall lifestyle. It is crucial for new parents that they make time to engage in supportive lifestyle activities, which can bridge the gap between difficult periods. Acupuncture balances the Heart and Liver deficiencies that can develop after childbirth and the unique constitutional pattern of the mother.
Rest/Time spent with your partner
To recover from birth, mothers need sleep. This can be more difficult with a newborn, who requires you to feed her every 2 hours. Consider your support group, and don’t be afraid to leave your baby alone for some time. Families, friends and doulas might be able to provide time for the new mother, such as time to spend with her partner, to rest, or to replenish for a few hour.