The Secret to Healing Postpartum for Good without Medications- Gut Health
Last week, we talked about why SSRIs are no longer working for moms and the real reasons behind it. If you haven’t seen that video yet, be sure to watch it after this one!
Today, we’re diving into something even more important: how to truly heal postpartum anxiety, depression, and insomnia for life. Not only for yourself, but so you don’t pass these struggles down to your children.
The Gut-Mental Health Connection
We’ve talked about how serotonin is made in the gut, up to 80% of it! which means your digestion plays a direct role in your mood and mental health.
Many moms assume, “Oh, I eat well, so my gut must be fine.”
But here’s what most people don’t realize: your digestion changes as you stop breastfeeding, and again as you get older due to hormonal fluctuations. And if you’re struggling with postpartum symptoms, there are deeper gut health issues at play that your doctor isn’t screening for.
What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About Your Gut Health
Women with postpartum depression tend to have four times the amount of copper in their bodies. This imbalance can directly contribute to anxiety, depression, and overwhelm.
Most doctors won’t test for this, but I’ll link below to a test I used to uncover heavy metals in my own body. Inside The Present Mama, I walk you through how to detox heavy metals naturally.
Mold Toxicity
Mold exposure is one of the most overlooked root causes of chronic bloating, constipation, anxiety, random body pain, and urinary discomfort.
If you’ve struggled with digestion issues your entire life, mold may be the hidden culprit, and flushing it out is key to healing.
The 5R Approach to Gut Healing (Dr. Mark Hyman’s Method)
Once you’ve addressed environmental toxins like heavy metals and mold, it’s time to heal your gut with the 5R approach:
1. Remove (The Inflammatory Triggers)
To calm inflammation, you need to remove the biggest gut disruptors:
Wheat
Dairy
Eggs
Soy
Processed foods (especially red food dyes and artificial additives)
This isn’t forever; it’s a temporary phase to let your body reset and heal.
2. Replace (Support Digestion)
Your gut needs enzymes to properly break down food and absorb nutrients. We do this by:
Taking digestive enzymes before meals
Using bitter herbs to stimulate digestion
Drinking apple cider vinegar with water before meals
If you’ve had long-term digestive issues or autoimmune conditions, this phase may last 3 months to a year, or even be a lifetime practice for maintaining gut health.
3. Re-inoculate (Restore Good Bacteria)
Next, we rebuild your gut microbiome by adding beneficial bacteria:
A high-quality probiotic (I love Seed right now!)
Fermented foods like coconut yogurt, sauerkraut, or kimchi (if tolerated)
When your gut bacteria are balanced, your mood stabilizes, digestion improves, and your immune system strengthens.
4. Repair (Heal & Seal the Gut Lining)
A damaged gut lining leads to a leaky gut, which can trigger:
Anxiety & depression
Food sensitivities
Chronic bloating & fatigue
We repair the gut lining using:
Slippery elm – Soothes and coats the gut
DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice) – Calms inflammation
Collagen or bone broth – Helps rebuild gut integrity
This step is key to feeling lasting relief from digestive and mental health struggles.
5. Reintroduce (Test & Personalize Your Diet)
Once your gut is healed, you can slowly reintroduce foods one at a time to see what your body truly tolerates.
Some foods may work for you again, while others may still trigger inflammation. This step is about listening to your body and customizing your diet for long-term wellness.
The Next Step in Your Healing Journey
By healing your gut, you’re naturally increasing serotonin and balancing your nervous system, without medication. But gut healing is just one piece of the puzzle.
