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 DHA (a key omega 3 in fish oils)  from the mother’s brain to make its own brain (the brain is made mostly of DHA). 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.

Treatments

Recommended Supplements

Omega 3 fish oil support

Eat at least 4 servings of salmon or tuna weekly, or take a pure omega 3 supplement both during and after pregnancy. The latter is better if still pregnant or nursing, as it is mercury free.

Add bioidentical progesterone

If you get depressed after pregnancy, ask your holistic physician to prescribe a dose of 10-50 mg of natural progesterone cream, which you then apply to your skin twice daily. Alternatively, you can take the medication Prometrium 100 mg 2x day by mouth. This is also bioidentical progesterone, but is more likely to be covered by insurance. These can be taken daily, or just for the 10-15 days before your menses.

More Information Online

How To Have A Healthy Pregnancy — Naturally

Postpartum Depression — Treat and Prevent with Fish Oil

Institute for Functional Medicine (find a holistic physician)