What supplements should I take in postpartum period?

Dear Running on Empty,

Your body definitely deserves to be nourished postpartum. During pregnancy, your placenta draws on “iron, zinc, vitamin B12, vitamin B9, iodine, and selenium stores—along with omega 3 fats like DHA and specific amino acids from proteins.” This means that all those vitamin and nutrient stores you’ve work so diligently to build over the years, get pulled and prioritized towards growing a baby. It’s a system that works beautifully, but has the potential to leave you feeling a little worn out postpartum. Let’s not forget that lactating continues to draw from your nutrient stores and prioritize baby. And let’s not forget how sleep deprivation plays a role!

I keep hearing about the pelvic floor. What am I supposed to be doing or not doing?

Dear Pelvic Floor-ishing,

The pelvic floor is a glorious support system that holds us up, holds us in and allows us to maintain digestive and sexual function. It energetically anchors us while also acting as a thoroughfare, allowing waste out and sexual health in. We use the pelvic floor everyday, all day and it deserves some praise! Unfortunately, historically in the US medical system, we only start to talk about the pelvic floor when it becomes attached to the word dysfunction. In good midwifery fashion, let’s take a moment to talk about how to honor this muscle system, promote it’s healing, and also prevent dysfunction down the road.