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Answer by thinkpink
hey

i hear that you have been through so much in a short period of time, so it is natural for you to be feeling this way. Your doctor is right and prescribing something can be harmful to the baby.

however, there are some things that you can do that could be helpful. First up, small amount of exercise each day will help you feel a bit better about yourself and in general. nothing strenuous, a short walk around the block or to the shops and back is all. get yourself involved in some activity that takes up some of your time, as you have gone from working full-time to not working in a short amount of time. make sure that you also take the time to do something nice for yourself, whenever you can, reward yourself.

and most important of all, do not be so hard on yourself.

good luck

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Answer by Lanie
Yes it can affect bonding with the child among many other things. If her mother has a history of depression she may be at more risk for getting the postpartum depression, but it doesn’t mean that she will get it for sure. Usually if a woman gets postpartum depression, it hits by now. Usually the baby blues you get after birth of a child just don’t go away and it stadily gets worse. If that sounds like her, offer to get her some help.

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Answer by Yummy Mummy
Sounds about right.

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Answer by .
When you name your baby shiiit like “tyler” or “robin”

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Answer by natalia
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/pregnancy/ppd/general/379.html

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Answer by shadowtalker1
The signs of PPD can range from non-stop crying to a total lack of emotion. It can also show up as a resentment toward the child and/or spouse or a feeling of being completely overwhelmed, angry, detached, etc. It really is a complex thing and goes far beyond just feeling really “weepy” every now and again.

Essentially, if you think you have PPD, please talk to your ob/gyn about it. They’re trained to handle it and trust me – you are not the first woman they’ve helped.

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Answer by Christine
Always go by what the most credible and most cited source defines a term as. In this case, you should look it up on the mayo clinic website or the World Health Organization website.

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Causes of disability can be classified as Perinatal (infections, premature infants, drugs during delivery and labor and oxygen deprivation), Prenatal (environmental causes such as alcohol, drugs, external agents, infections and maternal nutrition; maternal stress, Rh factor, genes, mother’s age, maternal diseases and chromosomal) and childhood (childhood diseases, injuries, environmental causes and Rh factor). The known reasons for disabilities include environmental, socio cultural, constitutional, or biomedical factors.

Depression can be caused due to sudden death of a loved one, loss of job and divorce. People return to normal life after some days. If these conditions are prolonged, it may lead to clinical depression. The persons suffering from depression will not be able to perform their daily tasks. Clinical depression includes dysthymia, seasonal depression, major depression, and bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of depression include insomnia, loss of libido, suicidal thoughts, forgetfulness or loss of concentration, lack of stamina, weight loss, tiredness, lack of energy, reduction in appetite, irritability, tension and anxiety, low self esteem, helplessness and guilt, unresponsive to current events, tearfulness and low mood. People suffering from depression show low appetite towards food. Some persons, who suffer from depression, eat lot of food to get relief from stress. Such persons gain more weight. Eating disorder is one of the symptoms of depression.

Complications of major depression include substance abuse, suicidal behavior, and lower self-respect. It can lead to mental illness. Sleep disorders and weight fluctuations come under physical depression. Mental complications include suicidal behavior, lower self-respect, loneliness and self injury. Among these depression complications, suicidal behavior is the most dangerous one. It is serious form of self-injury and cannot be reversed. It is necessary to carefully identify persons suffering from depression and treat them.

People suffering from depression in Canada can approach Canadian Disability Corporation (CDC) to file for disability tax credits. The professionals at CDC examine the symptoms and reasons carefully and recommend for disability tax credits to the eligible persons. It helps persons suffering from depression to pay at least part of their treatment bills.

According to scientific studies, a huge percentage of women experience postpartum depression after giving birth. Research has also proved that this psychological condition is more than just baby blues, instead it is a real illness that could affect a mother’s physiological and psychological functioning.

The body of women goes through immense hormonal changes after pregnancy and child birth and this is one of the biggest reasons behind postpartum depression. Other reason behind postpartum depression in a new mother is lack of proper sleep, as the baby is always crying and hence requires non-stop attention.

There are two types of postpartum depression: basic postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis. Some of the symptoms are insomnia, weepiness and sadness that lasts all day, and anxiety. There can be the loss of interest in activities, changes in your appetite, mood swings, and panic attacks. There are also invasive thoughts of harming your infant or yourself.

Although there is not a surefire cure for postpartum depression, there is a lot that you can do to make the new mom feel as comfortable as possible. Support and encouragement are invaluable. Encourage her to consider support groups.

Postpartum depression (PPD) also called postnatal depression is a form of clinical depression that affects some women after they have delivered a child. The exact cause of this condition is not known however some research says that since the hormone levels change during and after pregnancy.

Postpartum depression is also known as the baby blues and one in ten new mothers suffer from this to one degree or another. In addition to the drastic changes in hormone levels, the presence of a new baby in the house is also a major factor in postpartum depression.

The message has been sent that feeling detached at birth is a good thing which, by human nature, is not a normal emotion when a baby is brought into this world. We want moms and babies to bond…but in this case it isn’t what the Intended Parents want to have happen unless it’s them doing the bonding! Add on top of this the fact that the Surrogate has become very attached to her Intended Parents.

There is reason to believe that the cause of the condition, particularly when no depressive disorders were present prior to the pregnancy, may actually be inadequate nutritional intake. Hormonal changes have been blamed for the “baby blues” for many years. But, inadequate nutrient intake will also have a negative effect on hormones.

Postpartum depression is suggested to be caused with hormonal changes in the woman’s body soon after blessed event. The fact is that fathers may also experience the postpartum depression. This form of depression may be as foudroyant so lengthy. It may last from a few hours to several days, sometimes weeks and gain momentum with lifestyle changes and a discomfort coming from it.

The problem with some descriptions can be called the maternity blues, but it is not so, that is not the same thing as postpartum depression. When the maternity blues is a mild case of the problem, the postpartum depression is suggested to be a kind of psychosis. As a rule, the postpartum depression lasts from some hours to 21 days and declines with getting adequate amounts of sleep.

Symptoms of this depression can come into being anytime in the first year, not only right after the childbirth. The symptoms of frequent occurrence are:
- tearfulness;
- hopelessness;
- irritability;
- hypochondriasis;
- sleeplessness;
- guilt;
- impairment of concentration;
- sleep and eating disturbances;
- feeling of total discomfort;
- headache;
- exhaustion;
- blank;
- anhedonia;
- being inadequate in taking care of the baby;
- sexual activity lowering. There are some risk factors for postnatal depression, those increase 2-folds the problem probability:
- artificial feeding;
- childcare stress; prenatal or depression;
- other stresses;
- instable marital relationship or unwed mother;
- unwanted pregnancy;
- baby’s health problems (gripes, for example);
- sleep time deficiency.

In point of fact, special attention should be given to women whose families have a history of mental illnesses and disorders such as bipolar, schizophrenia and autism, and the above-average rates of drug addiction or alcoholism. Risk of postpartum depression developing is rather more for them.

If the postpartum depression symptoms occur, the woman should be treated with the specialist. Diet and necessary supplementation may help to improve the situation. The following things are important as to treat so to prevent the depression:
- omega-3 fatty acids,
- necessary protein dosage,
- hydration,
- vitamin supplement (especially B vitamins).

From the other side, partners, friends and elder children may lend effective help to postpartum mother being attentive and warm-hearted. Knowing that the depression is treatable with a variety of methods is important on its own account.

In postnatal syndrome, the feeling of any unwanted happening or negative thoughts surrounds the woman which keeps her uneasy. These situations develops a negative though or feeling for her own baby who has nothing to do with these thoughts. But, the syndrome makes the woman feel that the baby is responsible for these thoughts which creates a gap between the mother and the child. This is a kind of depression which is needs care and cure to get rid of it. In such cases, the major symptoms of depression are hatred towards the child and uneasiness.

The treatment for this syndrome is not a difficult thing. It can be cured with the help of medication. Apart from it, emotional support is also necessary as it helps in relaxing the mind and gaining self confidence. You need to have the support of your family while dealing with depression. This is the best supplement which you should have with your medicines. Also, you need to feel the motherhood for your child which will help in developing an emotional bond between both of you. Expert doctors, who are treating such cases, can help you with medication so that you may get a proper treatment and get well soon from postnatal syndrome. Don’t forget, it is essential to have emotional support with medication to get out of the effects of postnatal syndrome.

A recent study by researchers A.Daley, K.Jolly and C.MacArthur Oxford University 2009 have found that exercise along with social support can help ward off postnatal depression.  Post natal depression symptoms include sadness, fatigue, changes in sleeping and eating patterns, reduced libido, crying episodes, anxiety, and irritability.

The likely cause of postpartum depression is a number of factors. The most significant is changes in a woman’s hormones during pregnancy. Couple this with exhaustion following labor and the emotional journey of becoming a parent.  

Current treatments for post natal depression has included hormone treatment, however this has been shown to not be an effective treatment. Other therapies also include use of social support groups and counseling along with anti-depressant drugs.

Exercise has been known to reduce mild forms of depression in normal populations. It has shown to be more affective for mild forms of depression than anti depressant drugs. Recent research has shown that this may also be the case for women suffering from post natal depression.

Exercise as simple as pram walking within the first 3 months following birth, can reduce the risk of postnatal depression by fifty percent. Daily physical exercise can boost mood by increasing the levels of “happy feeling” neurotransmitters in the brain.

These neurotransmitters are called Endorphins they create feelings of well being, calmness and relaxation. They are released during exercise as well as during meaningful conversations.

Regular exercise that increases your heart rate for 30min at least twice a week can help regulate mood better than low dose anti depressant drugs. This occurs without nasty unwanted side effects that anti-depressant drugs may induce.

The only side effect exercise induces are positive. The added benefits of exercise are strengthening lower pelvic floor muscles, increasing bone density, aiding with weight loss and improved heart and lung function. All of which will boost energy and capacity to keep up with the children.

One important factor to take note when starting to exercise in particular after birth is to introduce exercise gradually and slowly. Start with simply being more active around the house and short bursts of walking around the neighbourhood. Later this can be improved with a structured exercise program that includes strengthening and higher intensity aerobic workouts. Higher intensity aerobic and strength workouts could be as simple as joining a ZUMBA class or following a structured weights program.

It is important to seek professional advice if you are not accustomed to exercise. Exercise if done incorrectly can increase risk of injury and cause muscular imbalances further on down the track.

In addition to exercise, support from professionals, family and friends are also crucial to recovery. Mothers with postnatal depression need emotional support from people close to them. Often people who suffer from depression tend to withdraw from social situations, but this often compounds feelings of sadness and isolation. It causes small insignificant issues to become large and over whelming.

Joining mothers groups, inviting friends over, having parents close at hand will help build a strong social network. Not only can they provide physical help with caring for the new born, by also provide a platform for meaningful conversations. Psychologists and counsellors can also provide structured sessions to over some thought processes that may be hindering your recovery.

Post natal depression is a common mental illness that occurs within our community. It is nothing to be ashamed of and should be considered as an acute mental illness. Eating Nutritious food, exercising regularly and having a strong social support network all aid in reducing the risk of post natal depression. In addition it can be used as a suitable and safe treatment for those who are already suffering from post partum depression.

Exercise has many add on benefits and so does having people around you all the time. Not only will it make you feel great, but it can make life feel easier and more for filling. Get out there and enjoy a workout today- start changing your life!

Pregnant women who take DHA fish oil capsules during pregnancy do not reduce their risk of developing post-natal depression, nor do the supplements have any effect on the baby’s cognitive and language development during early childhood, researchers from the Women’s and Children’s Health Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia, reported in an article published in the medical journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). Dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is often recommended to pregnant women as a way of enhancing their offspring’s intelligence as well as protecting from subsequent post-natal depression (postpartum depression). In fact, previous studies have suggested so.

The authors wrote:

“Epidemiological investigations from the United States and Europe demonstrate that higher intakes of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) from fish and seafood during pregnancy are associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms in the postnatal period, as well as improved developmental outcomes in the offspring. However, n-3 LCPUFA intervention trials in human pregnancy have reported mixed results and have not been conclusive largely because of methodological limitations”

Apparently, previous trials which looked at cognitive and language development outcomes in children were small and had high drop-out rates.

The investigators add:

“Despite the paucity of evidence, recommendations exist to increase intake of DHA in pregnancy, and the nutritional supplement industry successfully markets prenatal supplements with DHA to optimize brain function of mother and infant. Before DHA supplementation in pregnancy becomes widespread, it is important to know not only if there are benefits, but also of any risks for either the mother or child.”

Maria Makrides, B.Sc., B.N.D., Ph.D. and team carried out a randomized, multi-center trial to determine whether DHA fish oil supplements during the latter half of pregnancy had any effect on the risk of developing postpartum depression, as well as enhancing cognitive development of the baby during their first years. 2,399 females less than 21-weeks pregnant were recruited at 5 maternity hospitals in Australia between October 2005 and January 2008. By the end of December 2009 a total of 726 children were followed-up. The pregnant women had received 800 mg/d of DHA fish oil capsules or equivalent vegetable oil capsules with no DHA up to the day of childbirth. 96.7% of the women completed the course of capsules.

The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to gauge levels of maternal depression, and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development were utilized to measure cognitive and language development of the offspring.

9.67% of the DHA group and 11.19% of the control (vegetable non DHA capsules) group reported high levels of depressive symptoms – not a significant difference. There was no significant difference between either group regarding a new medical diagnosis for depression during the trial, or diagnosis requiring treatment (while taking the capsules).

The children’s cognitive scores were the same in both groups as were language development scores. Measurements of motor development and social-emotional behavior were similar in both groups.

The researchers wrote:

“Current recommendations suggest that pregnant women increase their dietary DHA to improve their health outcomes as well as those of their children. Such recommendations are increasingly being adopted with women taking prenatal supplements with DHA. However, the results of [this trial] do not support routine DHA supplementation for pregnant women to reduce depressive symptoms or to improve cognitive or language outcomes in early childhood.”

“Our results are at odds with the results of some large-scale epidemiological studies. It may be that even well-conducted epidemiological studies overestimate effect size and do not adequately deal with residual confounding, or that other nutrients in fish and seafood, beyond DHA, contribute to the observations from epidemiological studies. Further studies are required to determine whether there are specific benefits of DHA supplementation for women with a previous history of depression and for women at risk of preterm birth.”

“Effect of DHA Supplementation During Pregnancy on Maternal Depression and Neurodevelopment of Young Children- A Randomized Controlled Trial”

Postnatal depression is a common depressive illness and occurs in 1 to 7 to 10 mothers; it is common for women after giving birth to a child to experience feeling low. Nobody knows what causes postnatal depression but it has been concluded  although there is no actual explanation for PND that the illness may arise due to the hormone change after childbirth also the stress of looking after a new baby and the disrupt to a mothers sleep can effect susceptible people.

Symptoms of PND;

Feeling low
Being unable to enjoy yourself
Irritability
Finding it hard to go to sleep
Constantly exhausted
Anxiety
Feeling worthless, hopeless
(Maybe) Appetite
Feeling there’s no way out of their (family) problems

PND is treatable; it is treated in the same way as ordinary depression. Talking about the problem to somebody such as a health professional like the mother’s health visitor or doctor will help the mother get additional help and support they may need with looking after a baby and getting treatment with depression. The most important thing to remember is to get better as soon as possible for the sake of mother and baby.

Baby blues

Baby blue’s the commonest and mildest form of  PND following childbirth, it is normal for baby blues to occur, it consists of the mother experiencing spells of irritability, feeling down and upset or a crying for  a few days. It is more common for first time mothers and who have experienced problems with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS or PMT). It is known to probably be caused by the rapid female hormone changes the mother has been going through since giving birth to her, baby blues tends to sort and normally doesn’t require and other treatment than reassurance from others such as professionals, family and friends, that what they are experiencing is completely normal.

Postnatal Psychosis

Is a very rare complication of depression after childbirth, it affects 1 in every 500 women or so, mainly it occurs in mothers that have had previous medical history of serious mental illness or has a strong family history of mental illness, the symptoms felt by a person with postnatal psychosis is depression, other symptoms include false ideas, delusions, hearing voices and hallucinating. These symptoms appear from couple of days after childbirth or can even start up to a few weeks after a mother giving birth.

This type of PND requires treatment and which treatment the mother needs depend on the symptoms the mother is having or feeling, this will normally involve a psychiatrist and it is imperative for the mother to get help and treatment as soon as possible.

The things he has mentioned sound somewhat like typical PND thoughts:
Severe anxiety about the wellbeing of our daughter…
Worrying about something happening to him, me or Lucy.
and others things

Has anyone’s partner (or yourself for the Dad’s on here), been diagnosed with PND, and how was it treated?

Any other info/thoughts on this situation would be great… please keep it nice, I can handle people talking down about me, but my hubby and my daughter are off limits.
There is a condition known as male post natal depression:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-male-post-natal-depression.htm

I really dont know what to do, im only 16 and have no knowledge of babies or anything but ive heard that some of these things are signs of post natal depression. I dont want to tell the babies dad in case im just over reacting but i also dont want to not do anything in case it just keeps getting worse.

If left unmanaged, stress may cause different health problems. And, one of these problems is depression. Women may either develop prenatal depression or post partum depression.

Prenatal depression is a type of depression that women develop during their pregnancy, while post partum depression is a type of depression that happens after giving birth to a child. Post and prenatal depression have similar symptoms. These symptoms are classified into two groups that include emotional symptoms and physical symptoms.

Among the emotional symptoms of postnatal and prenatal depression include anxiety, irritation, sadness and hopelessness. A woman suffering from depression may also tend to isolate herself from other people including her newborn baby or husband.

Post partum and prenatal depression also have physical symptoms, which include lack of focus and chronic fatigue. A woman who develops depression during pregnancy and after giving birth may also develop sleeping and eating disorder. When depressed, a woman may either lose her appetite or eat more than she used to. She may also have trouble going to sleep or she may tend to oversleep.

Now, there are a lot of things that you can do to avoid depression during and after pregnancy. First of all, you need to have an ideal diet. This means that you need to have a balanced meal, which also means that you need to eat vegetables, seafood and meat. You must also stay away from coffee while you’re pregnant and after giving birth. During your pregnancy, you may drink tea as an alternative to coffee.

Another way to avoid or deal with depression is by exercising. Many studies proved that by exercising, a person’s body produces dopamine and serotonin, which can help you feel good. It can also help regulate the flow of blood and oxygen that helps in absorbing and distributing nutrition to the whole body.

Now, there are still other ways to deal with depression and one such way is by learning how to meditate. This activity is very ideal because not only can it regulate your sleeping and eating habits, it can also help you bring harmony and balance to your mind, body and soul. To learn more about meditation, you can visit www.meditate.com.au/members or www.meditate.com.au/blog.

The symptoms that usually start within the first to twelfth postpartum months vary widely among mothers. A few of the most common are despondency and despair, chronic fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiousness, lack of confidence, loss of sex drive and passion, muscle and joint pains, unhealthy skin, hair and nails, digestive disturbances, bladder problems, heart disease, trouble breathing, and a host of troubling emotions and moods swings. A woman can be puzzled, frustrated, even embarrassed when she reveals symptoms that have plagued her for years. She may have shared her self–observations with doctors only to find that they were not worthy of an acknowledgment or comforting comment from her physician. Any attempt on her part to connect the birth of one of her children with those symptoms may have been met with skepticism or passed over. Yet, she can’t shake the feeling that something about that particular birth began her health decline.

Her observations do have validity and merit. What most mainstream medical practitioners don’t fully take into consideration is that a baby’s body is formed and made entirely of nutrients donated by the mother’s body. Her child’s brain, eyes, muscles, bones, organs, glands, nerves, skin, tissues and fluids are entirely make from the nutrients taken from its mother’s bloodstream via the placenta.

If there is a lack of vital nutrients, the mother’s body is the first one that is deprived because her developing baby is Mother Nature’s priority. All mothers need to consciously replenish their lost nutritional and energetic reserves during the postpartum period. If this isn’t done, they might end up spending the rest of their lives wondering why they “just haven’t felt the same since the baby was born.”

The energy demands of caring for a newborn can further drain and deplete the mother’s nutrient reserves, especially if she is breastfeeding and sleep–deprived. If a woman has lost a great deal of blood while birthing her baby, the need for replenishing the nutritional components of blood is even more critical. Women who undergo Cesarean section also need to restore nutrient reserves; not only have they become mothers, they have had to have major surgery in the process. Women who lose a good deal of blood during the birth process and who don’t replenish key nutrients might experience light–headedness and throbbing headaches, along with extreme fatigue, sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression.

A new mother is also faced with the stress of integrating the intense needs of a new baby into her lifestyle while tending to her mate and perhaps other children and returning to work. All of these responsibilities that women – and those who are cared for by them – have taken for granted for millennia demand high–quality nutrients. Our food supply presently contains only half the nutrients that food contained in the 1940s due to the nutrient depletions in our soil. This fact makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for a mother to fully replenish the nutrient reserves her body donated to make her baby’s body solely from the food she eats. Eating highly refined and processed “junk” foods further depletes vital nutrients, which deepens the need to replenish postnatal nutrients even more.

Every physiologic process in the human body depends upon nutrients. The most important time to consciously replenish postpartum nutrient reserves begins immediately after giving birth and extends to 24 months postpartum. The failure to do this often sets the stage for chronic health problems that may last for decades.

There was a time that women throughout the globe would be given their placenta in some edible form to consume directly postpartum, much like dogs and cats do instinctively. The placenta contains highly concentrated amounts of the nutrients that the mother has lost through giving birth. The fact that eating one’s placenta is now culturally distasteful further supports the need to make a concerted effort to consume the appropriate nutrients and nourishing foods necessary for rebuilding and replenishing the new mother’s donated nutrient reserves. A high potency postnatal nutrient program is now essential to help a postpartum woman replenish her nutrient reserves.

Presently, about 30 million Americans take anti–depressant and anti–anxiety drugs. The majority of these are postpartum women! Women comprise 79% of U.S. citizens on antidepressant drugs. Many doctors prescribe Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Celexa, and a host of other anti–depressant drugs before considering whether the mother’s depression, anxiety, fatigue, or lethargy might be caused by postpartum nutrient depletion. All the major brain neurotransmitter chemicals (like serotonin, norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine and GABA) that effect mood, energy, and many other physiological process are formed entirely from nutrients! Postpartum nutritional depletion can cause a physiological depression that is far too often misdiagnosed as a mental disease. This is a medical short–sightedness that needs to change. A postnatal nutrient recovery program should be the very first thing a doctor thinks of and prescribes for postpartum women presenting these symptoms; especially with women who have no history of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, insomnia, or fatigue prior to giving birth. Continuing to take a high quality, comprehensive postnatal nutrient program can also help determine if there is truly a need for pharmaceutical antidepressant support or if replenishing nutrients are sufficient.

If one does need and benefits from the assistance of antidepressant drugs, it is still very important to note that these drugs contain no nutrients, so the need to replenish postpartum nutrient reserves still exists and should be addressed. This can also aid and prevent other postpartum health problems. The need for high potency postnatal nutrients is greater now than ever before because the pace of life keeps getting faster, more complex and stressful.

Omega–3 oils are robbed from the mother’s body at a very high rate via the placenta to help form her baby’s brain, eyes, nerves, and cellular membranes. Breast-feeding robs even more Omega 3 oils from a postpartum woman’s body because it is removed from her body to form the milk her body is producing. Many studies show the importance of Omega 3 fish oils to relieve depression, dry skin, thin hair and nails, fatigue and prevent heart disease in postpartum women. Omega 3 oils are an essential ingredient in a good postnatal nutrient program to assist a mother to replenish her nutrient reserves. It is vitally important that the Omega 3 fish oils taken be certified free of heavy metals and PCBs and also contain at least 3 different antioxidants (Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and rosemary oil are best) to prevent these oils from going rancid. Flax oil does not easily convert into DHA and EPA found in fish oils.

All the major nutrients are taken from mother’s body to help form baby’s body. Alpha Lipoic Acid and Coenzyme Q 10 are essential for the body to make energy. Without enough of these two essential nutrients, the energy producing mitochondria in our cells will often make only 2 units of ATP (cellular energy) instead of 38 units of ATP per cycle. These two deficiencies are major causes of postpartum depression, fatigue and mood swings. These two nutrients along with B vitamins, minerals including calcium and magnesium, and the Omega 3 oils are essential nutrients to help a mother replenish her postpartum nutrient reserves and should be included in a good postnatal nutrient formula. Prenatal vitamins do not adequately supply all of the nutrients that new mothers require after bringing new life into this world.

A high quality postnatal nutrient program should be an integral part of the pregnancy recovery program required for all postpartum women to fully replenish their nutrient reserves. This can assist new mothers to not only regain their health and prevent later health problems, but also to allow her the best chance of happily raising her family and having other healthy pregnancies and healthy children if desired.

Dr. Dean Raffelock is the lead author of A NATURAL GUIDE TO PREGNANCY AND POSTPARTUM HEALTH published by Avery in 2003. He is a holistic doctor who has been in private since 1977 and practices in Boulder, Colorado. He has earned four board certifications including clinical nutrition, acupuncture, chiropractic, and applied kinesiology and continues to teach research–based clinical nutrition for numerous medical organizations. Dr. Raffelock is Vice President of Research and Development for Soundformulas.com the makers of After Baby Boost™- the first and only clinically tested comprehensive postnatal nutrient system and Before Baby Boost™ the first and only comprehensive 3 bottle prenatal nutrient system. He is also President of Sound Formulations, LLC a consulting company that formulates and manufactures premium quality nutritional products for nutriceutical companies. He may be reached at DrDeanR@Soundformulas.com