End Fatigue

Postpartum Depression

BACKGROUND

Causes

Some women get profoundly depressed after a baby is born. Two main factors contribute to this:

Fish oil

During pregnancy, the baby takes fish oil from the mother’s brain to make its own brain (brain is made mostly of fish oil). If you eat enough fish oil during pregnancy your risk of getting postpartum depression drops by half. (See Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy.)

Low progesterone hormone

Delivery can trigger low thyroid and low progesterone hormone levels.

You may have other contributing nutritional deficiencies from the pregnancy.

TREATMENT

Recommended Supplements

Fish oil

1-2 teaspoons a day of fish oil during pregnancy and 1 tablespoon a day after till depression lifts.

Bioidentical progesterone

Bioidentical progesterone (from a holistic physician). Use Bioidentical progesterone (prometrium 100-200 mg at night from a regular pharmacy or compounded creams 30-100+ mg at bedtime). Do NOT use synthetics like Provera.

Multi-nutrient powder

Take a good multi-nutrient powder (see Energy Revitalization System).

Medications

Armour thyroid

Optimize thyroid hormone with prescription Armour thyroid — even if blood levels are "normal."

Exercise

Walk in the sun

Walk at least 30 minutes a day outside in the sun.

Other Therapies & Advice

See Depression for more information — and to learn about an excellent mix of natural depression helping herbs and nutrients.

Related Information

How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy — Naturally

Postpartum Depression — Treat and Prevent with Fish Oil

American Board of Holistic Medicine (find a holistic physician)