Postpartum Adrenal Fatigue; How to fix it with Herbal Medicine
Are you feeling exhausted and not sure why? You may have something called postpartum adrenal fatigue.
What is postpartum adrenal fatigue?
It's complete and utter exhaustion after childbirth, AND it's not a real thing. What I mean is that your doctor would never give you this diagnosis.
But hold on, just because your doctor does not recognize your extreme fatigue, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
By the end of this post, I will share the nine symptoms of postpartum adrenal fatigue and the steps you can take to get your energy back fast.
So, is adrenal fatigue real?
Your adrenals don’t get fatigued unless you have a medical diagnosis, where your adrenals stop producing cortisol.
Your labs may come back fine
You’re still feeling exhausted
But, it’s not measurable
It’s an alternative medical term to describe the symptoms you are experiencing, and at the root of it is inflammation in the body. I first heard of this term from my teacher. Dr. Aviva Romm wrote the book Adrenal Thyroid Revolution.
11 Adrenal Fatigue Symptoms
Fatigue
Sleep problems
Irritability, anxiety, feeling blue
Sugar/carbs, fat, caffeine, or salt cravings
Tiredness around 3-4 most afternoons
Weight gain, especially around your middle
Getting sick more often than you used to
Hormonal problems
Brain fog, forgetfulness
Digestive problems
Hashimoto's symptoms or another autoimmune condition
Plus, if you’re breastfeeding and sleep-deprived. Your body is being challenged every single day. So what do we do about it?
We get to the root cause of your exhaustion.
Adrenal Fatigue After Pregnancy
9 Simple steps to heal postpartum adrenal fatigue
#1 Eat whole foods
Integrate greens at each meal, fruit, nuts, seeds, and proteins
Grass-fed meats and wild-caught fish
If your thyroid is acting up, try going gluten and dairy-free to reduce inflammation
Reduce coffee and eliminate alcohol until you feel healed
Drink water with minerals
Eat meals within an hour of waking and eat regular meals to reduce sugar spikes
Add coconut oil to your coffee
Include protein in your diet for valuable nutrients like iodine, iron, zinc, vitamins (especially B12), and essential fatty acids
#2 Add vitamins to your diet
B vitamins help boost your energy
Magnesium can soothe your nervous system
Learn about your vitamins here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/11-postpartum-vitamin-supplements-every-new-mom-should-have
#3 Integrate adaptogens
Adaptogens can prevent burnout and pull you out of fight or flight and help ease the daily stress of motherhood.
For example, Ashwagandha can help you sleep better, and Reishi can reduce illnesses.
Read this post to learn more:https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/8-must-have-adaptogens-for-breastfeeding-moms
#4 Restore your gut health.
Dysbiosis or leaky gut syndrome is very common after childbirth due to the use of medications, stress, and the poor American diet
Healing your gut is key!
The 5R approach is...
Remove foods causing inflammation
Replace digestive bitters
Reinoculate with probiotics
Repair with herbs
Rebalance your lifestyle
Additionally, opening your drainage pathways is the key to your health. Learn more here: https://www.taragregorio.com/blog/5-ways-to-open-your-drainage-pathways-to-reduce-perimenopausal-symptoms
#5 Improve your sleep
Restore your sleep with herbs and homeopathic medicine can help calm your nervous system and help you heal
Eliminate caffeine and alcohol if you're not sleeping
Take herbs during the day, like The ONE daily tea blend, to support you
#6 Uncover any trauma you may have had with therapy
Explore EMDR, brain retraining, meditations, vagus nerve exercises, and ART therapy for healing
#7 Move your body every day
Move, but not too much!
High-impact exercise and pushing yourself too much are other stressors on your body.
Consider yoga, pilates, or light cardio.
#8 Permission to pause…Restore your nervous system
Rather than pushing thought... build rest and pause into your day.
Journal, take magnesium baths, and find something fun to do!
As moms, we forget to do "fun" things for us - not the kids!
#9 Be kind to yourself…
What you're saying about your body matters. Your body has changed and it's ok!
Learn to love this new body with all the cushions, wrinkles, and new lines you may have.
You've birthed a baby!!
Watch what words you're saying to yourself.. because as your children grow.. they hear your words and start repeating them.
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Postpartum Chronic Fatigue
I remember I couldn’t even sit up to meditate after having my twins - I was so exhausted.
I believe the reason for this is what Dr. Ben Lynch calls “Dirty Genes”. After birth, your body needs to flush out the excessive toxins, hormones, and potentially folic acid from your prenatal vitamins - especially if you have the MTHFR gene.
Improving methylation, and balancing your hormones can help boost your energy fast after birth.
Conclusion
Postpartum adrenal fatigue is the body's way of showing you something is off.
Your diet, nutrient gap, or your nervous system needs support.
Your body needs deep nourishment, warm cooked foods, herbal teas, and digestive healing; along with positive thinking to support your transition into motherhood.
Are you experiencing postpartum adrenal fatigue? I'd love to help.
Within The Present Momma, we heal your exhaustion with diet, supplements, herbal remedies, and nervous system regulation. Join today!
xoTara
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