Everything You Need To Know About Postpartum Depression

Natural Remedies for Postpartum Anxiety & Depression
Written By Tara J. Gregorio

Updated: June 4th, 2025

It's frustrating when you're not feeling like yourself.

What if we could break through postpartum depression without medications?

Just imagine.. sleeping through the night, not yelling and crying so much. 

Feeling joy again.

The truth? It takes more than herbal medicine to help you heal from depression. We need deep nourishment.

----

In this post, I'll share my experience with Postpartum depression, your most frequently asked questions, and 8 tips to begin healing your body and feel joy again.

How does Postpartum Depression happen?

The cause of Postpartum Depression remains unknown, but some suggested reasons are...

  • The rapid changes in hormones during the postpartum period and the inability to flush them out postpartum i.e. low progesterone/high estrogen

  • Thyroid insufficiency (The thyroid can go from Hyperthyroid to Hypothyroidism 2-5 months after birth)

  • A rapid drop in insulin levels

  • Inadequate vitamins & minerals

  • Mother-child separation and negative birth experience/trauma

  • Lack of social and emotional support

  • Sleep deprivation

  • Your gut health and dysbiosis

  • The MTHFR gene and your ability to process folic acid and methylate properly>> Learn more here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/postpartum-recovery-how-the-mthfr-gene-affects-your-health

“You don’t need more medication for postpartum depression, you need deep nourishment. ”
— Tara Gregorio

When does Postpartum Depression start?

  • Postpartum Depression can begin 2-3 weeks postpartum and can last up to a year or longer.

  • Symptoms include agitation, anxiety, and panic attacks, confusion, despair, guilt, hopelessness, loneliness, nightmares, and thoughts of hurting oneself or the baby (known as intrusive thoughts).

  • There are no punctuations of happiness or elation.

Is it Postpartum Depression or the Baby Blues?

  • There is a difference between Baby blues and postpartum depression.

  • Baby blues are considered "normal" postnatal hormonal adjustments.

  • It begins on days 3-4 and lasts up to 14 days. Symptoms include crying, irritability, fatigue, and anxiety.

The key difference between baby blues and postpartum depression?

Baby blues are punctuated with periods of elation or happiness and postpartum depression is not.

Watch this video to discover the signs of healing depression and what to look for.

Postpartum Depression Natural Treatment

8 Tips To Prevent Postpartum Depression

#1 Ask for help!

  • You’re not meant to do this alone.

  • Ask your friends and family for help– they want to help you.

#2 Talk about Postpartum depression with everyone

  • Tell friends you're struggling.

  • Write about your birth.

Postpartum Depression Workbook

#3 Get adequate rest

  • Sleep deprivation is real – especially if you're a mom of multiples!

  • Ask someone to watch the kids, sleep, and rest.

  • The house will be a mess; let it be.

  • You need to restore your health.

#4 Optimize nutrition

  • It has been suggested that women are lacking valuable nutrients during the postpartum period.

  • When I opened my eyes after childbirth, it looked like a war zone! So much blood.

  • With that amount of blood loss, I had to restore my body with valuable vitamins.

The 6 Must-Have Postpartum Supplements to Decrease Depression

  • Folate, not Folic acid- Dr. Ben Lynch teaches about this. Folic acid is synthetic; the body cannot recognize it and provide the nutrients your body needs. Look for vitamins with folate.

  • Essential Fatty Acids - important for a healthy nervous system.  It is recommended to supplement with 1-3 g/day of fish oil with DHA and EPA to reduce depression.

    1. B vitamins - needed for the growth of red blood cells, energy levels, and proper nerve function

    2. Zinc - known to boost immunity, reduce viral illnesses, and support gut health - add Zinc to your diet to restore your overall well-being.

    3. Iron - A mineral vital to the proper function of hemoglobin, a protein needed to transport oxygen in the blood. Liver and red meat are the #1 sources of iron. 

    4. Probiotics - If you've had a C-section or digestive issues, adding a probiotic 2-3 months after birth can help your body AND also reduce allergies in your child's health. I like Klair probiotics. 

    5. Magnesium - to soothe anxiety and reduce constipation

#5 Eat often to prevent insulin drops

  • Low blood sugar can have a dramatic effect on your mood.  Add healthy fat and protein with each meal.

#6 Incorporate botanicals to soothe anxiety

  • Your anxiety & depression matter, and it's not going away anytime soon!

  • Learn how to use herbs when you're breastfeeding, to make life easier.

    • Look for Class 1 botanicals to use if you're breastfeeding to soothe anxiety and boost your energy.  {Pin the image!}

    • A cup of Chamomile and Lemon Balm tea with a tincture of motherwort can do wonders for your stress.

#7 Add in nervines, adaptogens, and mood lifters to ease your symptoms

#8 Progesterone, NOT Progestin

Often, you’ll go to your doctor, and they’ll suggest birth control. This is progestin, a synthetic form of the hormone. But bioidentical progesterone is different. You apply this cream to your skin from days 14-28 of your cycle. It increases progesterone, lowers histamines (which are causing insomnia), and supports excessive estrogen. Game changer!

==Read this post to learn more about bioidentical progesterone.

{Please contact an emergency hotline if you are having suicidal thoughts for yourself or your children}

  • They note:" You can also contact our warmline directly and speak to a volunteer who will provide support, information, and resources where you live.

  • Leave a message on our warmline 1.800.944.4773, and one of our volunteers will call you back asap.

  • Calls are returned within 24 hours, and typically within a few hours of your request. If you are in crisis or need more immediate help…please call 911 or call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255."

Conclusion

There are root causes of your postpartum depression that our healthcare team is missing. New information points to the MTHFR gene, folic acid, and depletion of vital minerals and vitamins like Vitamin D, B, and Iron, and LOW progesterone.

Healing is possible.

xo Tara 

References:

Other posts to explore

Join the present momma here
Tara J. Gregorio

I’m an expert on postpartum recovery and herbs for women’s health - I love teaching others how to use herbal and homeopathic remedies, so they feel confident they will work fast enough.

Previous

5 Ways Primal Trust Changed My Life
Next

10 Tips for Balancing Postpartum Hormones to Heal Postpartum Anxiety