A Holistic Discussion About Postnatal Depression and Postnatal Depletion

By Shonelle Siegmann | Naturopath and Herbalist

Postnatal depression has again been in the spotlight as Covid19 restrictions left new parents and birthing people without their usual support systems.

Hospitals everywhere have restricted access to birth companions and visitors, forcing mothers to labour and even birth alone, some allowing just one companion for support in the final stages of transition. 

Parents and babies have even been separated following a positive Covid19 diagnosis, interrupting the mother-baby dyad in their all-important Golden Hour and disrupting their breastfeeding journey. 

Like any intervention in birth, these disruptions can have lasting negative effects on a person’s birthing and postpartum experience. 

Australia’s perinatal anxiety and depression support services PANDA and Gidget have confirmed up to a 50% increase in calls for help in the wake of the pandemic.

This is alarming, given prior to the coronavirus outbreak, one in five mothers and one in 10 fathers were experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety.

A new perspective 

I strongly advocate for women and birthing people to have access to any and all support of their choice in pregnancy, birth, and for the days, weeks and months of the sacred postpartum time. 

And we know new parents who have welcomed a new baby during the Covid19 lockdowns are grieving for the experience they had imagined.

But I also hope parents are discovering the benefits of bonding with their new baby privately at home, enjoying more beneficial skin to skin contact, and establishing breastfeeding, without the distractions and stressors of visitors, mother’s groups, and an exhausting string of social outings.

Already we’ve seen a rise in people empowered to take back control of their choices in birth, with independent midwives and doulas reporting a sharp increase in people choosing homebirth during the Covid19 lockdowns.

The familiar surrounds of home, continuity of care, and the support of a known and respectful birth team - as well as the ability to have partners and family present, could potentially provide greater outcomes and reduce exposure to some of the factors that may contribute to birth trauma and postpartum depression following a hospital birth. 

Whether people birth at home, a hospital or birth centre, I hope they’re getting less unsolicited advice from strangers in the street, and instead of connecting with their closest family, friends and trusted practitioners to support their postpartum and breastfeeding journey.

Alone and unsupported, or nourished and rested

As a result of the lockdowns, I’ve read of new parents who haven’t left home with their babies until their six week check-up, sometimes longer.

For the first time in a long time, first-time parents in the western world have had the opportunity to slow down, tap into instinct, and act on intuition.

And it reminds me of the many postpartum confinement traditions from throughout the world, which honour 30 to 40 days of rest and nourishment at home following childbirth.

Popular books like The First Forty Days, Mother Food, The Fourth Trimester and The Postnatal Depletion Cure have helped introduce these concepts to western parents, but Covid19 has made staying in a necessity.

All of these books focus on the need for good nutrition, rest and both physical and emotional support to counter the exertion of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. 

The Postnatal Depletion Cure in particular, which describes postnatal depletion as a “constellation of symptoms affecting all spheres of a mother’s life”, discusses the potential for this combination of care to prevent postpartum depletion, depression and anxiety.

Food for thought: The gut-brain axis and maternal microbiome

Mothers are often sleep-deprived and might be too busy and lack the support needed to prepare and cook healthy meals - not only in the immediate postpartum but for months and even years to come.  

Instead of enjoying nutrient-rich, healing, slow foods, many new parents find themselves eating on the run. The image of a tired mum eating dry toast and a cold cup of tea comes to mind.

At the same time, there are significant hormonal shifts and the maternal microbiome is undergoing radical change. It is because of this some women will find they’re suddenly intolerant to foods they’ve always enjoyed, or they may complain of stomach aches and bloating.

As a result of the inflammation, they may be unable to adequately absorb nutrients from food, which creates a vicious cycle because nutritional deficiencies can contribute to postnatal depression.

But support is available to correct these imbalances and restore harmony to the mind and body.

  • Probiotics are one proven way of supporting and restoring gut health in pregnancy and postpartum. This study discusses the benefits of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus HN001 in minimising postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms. 

  • Fatty acids like those found in foods known for their healthy fats like fish, seafood, algae, flax, seeds, walnuts, avocado and olive oil not only nourish the mother, support moods, soothe the gut and support breastmilk production but also support brain development, learning and memory in the infant. 

  • Vitamin D from sunlight exposure and supplementation has been found to reduce postpartum depression risk. Getting baby outside for a daily walk is a perfect way to combine gentle activity with your daily dose of Vitamin D.

  • Warming wholefoods are recommended in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, helping restore heat and energy to the post-partum body. Slow-cooked nutrient-dense real foods rich in amino acids, protein, iron, zinc, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, iodine and choline can support postpartum healing and enrich breastmilk. 

  • Continuity of care from a trusted maternal health practitioner or birth worker such as a midwife, doula or postpartum naturopath could also help increase feelings of confidence, wellbeing and support among new mothers, potentially lowering the risks of postpartum depression and postnatal depletion. 

For postpartum nutrition and naturopathy support, book an appointment with Shonelle.

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