Foto: BB.LV
Family doctor Oscar Serrallach notes that even long after childbirth, postpartum exhaustion can manifest in women. Unfortunately, up to 50% of mothers face this issue. In his article, he describes the symptoms and causes of this condition, as well as suggests ways to recover. The physics and lyricism of motherhood It may seem surprising, but the placenta daily transfers about 7 g of fats from the mother's body to the baby, as well as "sucks out" iron, zinc, vitamins B12 and B9, iodine and selenium, as well as omega-3 fats and specific amino acids. During the prenatal period, the future mother's brain loses 5% of its functionality to support the growth of the child and adapt to motherhood. This can lead to a condition I call "postpartum exhaustion," which often hinders a woman from fully recovering after the baby is born. The first time I encountered postpartum exhaustion was when Susan, a mother of five children, came to me on the brink of exhaustion. Tests showed serious deviations, and I prescribed her a special diet and psychological consultations. She barely made it to the end of the visit, jumped up, and ran away. The next time I saw her, she was already in the emergency room with pneumonia, which required intravenous antibiotics. Postpartum exhaustion can manifest even several years after childbirth: a woman constantly cares for her family and children, forgetting about herself. This is extremely dangerous and can have serious consequences. Once the baby is born, all attention is focused on them, and no one thinks that mothers also need time to rest and recover. Symptoms The symptoms of postpartum exhaustion include: a widespread feeling of fatigue and burnout, low concentration, poor memory, and emotional instability. A woman may feel lonely, vulnerable, and not good enough as a mother. This is not just ordinary depression, but biochemical changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth. Symptoms can manifest in mothers with children of different ages, from a few weeks to 7 years: a feeling of fatigue and burnout; quick fatigue; falling asleep "on the go"; constant worry about the children; a feeling of shame/guilt; a sense of "not coping"; poor concentration; loss of libido. Causes In modern society, many women live in chronic stress, which negatively affects their health. Lack of sleep has become the norm, and the role of family in supporting young mothers has significantly decreased. Nutrition also leaves much to be desired, and environmental factors exacerbate the situation. Many mothers consider their condition normal and do not seek help. How to recover I believe that four "pillars" are important for health recovery: sleep, meaning, activity, and nutrition. To recover, one must go through three stages. Recovery Tests for postpartum exhaustion show low levels of iron, zinc, vitamins B12, C, D, magnesium, and copper. This needs to be corrected first. Add fish and seaweed to your diet to support the brain and nervous system with omega-3 fatty acids. Identify food intolerances and allergies that may arise or worsen during pregnancy. Eliminate harmful carbohydrates and include healthy foods. Don’t forget about support: hiring a nanny may be a more sensible solution than divorce. Consider yoga and acupuncture. If there are hormonal issues, corrective therapy may be needed. Choose: psychologist, psychotherapist, or life coach. Increase time for sleep and physical activity. Optimization Many mothers are so exhausted that they cannot sleep properly. To improve sleep, start preparing for it an hour before bedtime. The lighting in the room should be soft and warm, listen to calm music. Treat your bedroom as a "temple": let it be the cleanest and coziest. Ensure complete darkness and coolness, turn off the TV and phone. If necessary, perform relaxation exercises. Physical exercises are better done in the company of other women — this also promotes socialization and new acquaintances, which is part of recovery! Awareness It is important to understand that being a mother is not a sentence, but just a part of your life journey. Realizing this will be the final stage of your recovery. Some may say that no one used to complain about depression and exhaustion. However, it is worth noting that in the past there was support from family and community, which helped mothers recover faster after childbirth. There were traditions and rituals that facilitated recovery. For example, in traditional China, mothers did not leave the house for 30 days after childbirth, receiving all the necessary help and care. In the modern world, mothers find it harder, but self-care is an important step towards recovery. Based on materials from: www.womo.ua
