7 Mistakes We Make With Postpartum Anxiety
Don’t know where to start when you’re struggling with postpartum panic, racing thoughts, and insomnia?
Today, I’m sharing the 7 mistakes we make with postpartum anxiety, so you can start healing your body naturally.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear path to your next steps for healing postpartum anxiety.
How long does postpartum anxiety last?
It depends on what you consider postpartum.
We typically call it anxiety after a certain period. Every woman has a different definition of what postpartum is.
How to calm postpartum anxiety naturally
Here are seven mistakes we typically make when struggling with anxiety after birth.
#1- Not knowing we have the MTHFR gene
- I’ve helped 100s of women reduce medications, and the one common theme we all have is that most of us have the MTHFR gene.
Gary Breka from 10x Health states the MTHFR gene is what’s contributing to postpartum anxiety and depression.
The MTHFR gene contains instructions for making an enzyme that’s important for metabolizing folate (also called folic acid or vitamin B9). MTHFR also helps our cells recycle homocysteine, a chemical in the blood, into methionine, a building block for proteins.
When the MTHFR gene has either of these two variants, the resulting MTHFR enzyme is slightly less active, and this can lead to decreased levels of folate and increased levels of homocysteine in the blood.
By taking the right supplements and reducing FOLIC acid, we can start to heal our sleep and methylation processes.
Learn more about the MTHFR gene here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/postpartum-recovery-how-the-mthfr-gene-affects-your-health
#2 - Blood Sugar dysregulation
If you’re surviving on coffee, wine, and energy drinks, we need to change this fast!
Stress, lack of sleep, and cortisol can affect your blood sugar
When you’re struggling with anxiety and/or depression, you’ll want to consume high-quality protein to help balance your blood sugar and decrease heart palpitations.
#3 Postpartum Diet
To maintain our blood sugar levels, we want to combine fat, fiber, and protein.
Consider these diet combinations:
Egg, coconut oil, and spinach + flaxseed
Overnight oats with yogurt, chia, and flaxseeds
chicken + olive oil and peas
Salmon + olive oil + quinoa
#4 We don't take the right supplements or any at all
It’s important to replenish your body with high-quality supplements
In the video above, I go over a popular postpartum vitamin and some ingredients that it’s lacking.
High-quality supplements are key to filling our postpartum nutrient gap.
You can read more about it here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/11-postpartum-vitamin-supplements-every-new-mom-should-have
#5 We’re afraid to take herbs
Most moms just wait, thinking the insomnia and heart palpitations will go away.
I hate to tell you, it probably won’t.
You want to take Adaptogens + Nervines + Amino Acids to heal anxiety.
#6 We don’t take sleep disruption seriously
As a mom of twins, my sleep was disrupted for years.
I would get anxious to go to sleep.. knowing I would be woken up hours later.
When this happens, it affects your heart rate, increases blood sugar, and puts you at risk for anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and depression
Asking for help and addressing your child’s sleep issues can be beneficial.
Here are my favorite herbs for babies and toddlers: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/9-simple-shortcuts-to-help-your-child-sleep
#7 We don’t realize “postpartum” is ANYTIME after a pregnancy
Anxiety 4 Months Postpartum
Around four months after birth, and up to six and seven months or more, mothers begin to notice how the sleeplessness is affecting them. Months of not sleeping, breastfeeding, and maybe eating poorly due to lack of time and resources has an enormous effect on your mental health, your gut health, and your nervous system. This article also states how moms who have close pregnancies can suffer from “reduced reserves,”; meaning your body needs deep nourishment between each and every pregnancy.
As your hormones readjust, you may notice you have lower progesterone and struggle with heart palpitations, insomnia, rage, and even blood clots as your cycle returns.
In The Present Momma, I address your nutrition depletion needs, regulating your hormones and bringing you back to calm again.
Conclusion
Healing postpartum anxiety takes a comprehensive approach. Feeling safe in your body, in your home, and then addressing any nutrient gaps you may be experiencing, along with healing your nervous system again.
It’s important you address your sleep first and then diet, supplements, and herbal remedies.
Your body has a great capacity to heal. I’d love to help you.
xo Tara
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