How I Helped a New Mama Go From Mom Rage & Just Surviving to Feeling In Control & Thriving at 6-Months Postpartum
When this client began working with me, she was 6-months postpartum and feeling really overwhelmed and out of control of her health.
She felt desperate for answers to her symptoms like:
Feeling more reactive, anxious, and irritable (i.e. experiencing “mom rage” daily)
Fatigue (along with a new reliance on sugar and caffeine she wanted to break)
Feeling physically weak and depleted
She wanted to step into the healthiest version of herself as a mom.
Within a few months of working with me inside my Nourished Postpartum program, she now:
Feels in control of her mood and more proactive- recognizing connections between her nutrition and mental health.
Has more energy each day.
Has a more positive outlook.
Feels well-equipped to tackle motherhood and the demands she’s under.
(Please note that this article is just sharing one client’s experience working with me and is not personal medical advice.)
How exactly did we make this happen for her? Here’s what we did:
1) We focused on more intentional nourishment:
She recognized she wasn’t paying enough attention to herself, including not eating enough food. This was causing a trickle-down effect into other areas, including her mental health.
So our top goal was getting her the nourishment she needed as a new mom.
We focused first on simple foundations + specific foods to help support her metabolism, blood sugar, and nutrient stores as well as provide enough fuel for breastfeeding and her goal of returning to exercise.
We also talked about “hacks” to make eating happen despite being busy with an active baby.
2) We tested her minerals and created a personalized plan:
We knew that pregnancy, birth, and postpartum had impacted her mineral stores, plus her symptoms clued us in to likely imbalances.
We ran an HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis)- the most accurate way to assess the body’s mineral stores- which confirmed she was out of balance and under stress.
Some relevant findings from her HTMA included:
Slow 2 metabolic type: This showed her body was releasing energy slowly but her adrenal glands were overactive.
Increased magnesium “burn rate”: Elevated magnesium shows that her body is using it up more quickly because she’s more stressed. This is also a sign of blood sugar imbalance.
Very high Ca/P or “nervous system” ratio: This showed her body was in protection mode, slowing down to conserve energy. It was also confirmation that she wasn’t eating enough.
Very high Na/K or “stress” ratio: This showed her body was under acute stress and this finding often correlates with irritability, anger, and rage.
This test provided answers she was looking for. It helped to explain why she was experiencing symptoms plus see exactly “on paper” exactly how her body was handling stress.
Plus, the results allowed me to able to develop a more individualized protocol for her so she could focus on what was most important to heal.
3) We implemented targeted supplementation:
At the time, this client wasn’t taking any supplements but she was open to it so we used this an an opportunity.
We prioritized supplemental support based on her HTMA results to bridge the gaps in her healing and help her feel better faster.
Some things we added in:
Soothing herbs like milky oats and skullcap to help lower stress and aid her adrenals and nervous system
Magnesium, a very calming mineral she needed especially for stress-handling
Digestive bitters to help her break down food more efficiently
4) We ensured she felt supported, validated, and empowered:
It’s so common to really isolated and alone, even like you’re broken as a new mom, especially when you’re experiencing new symptoms you’re not used to feeling.
Learning more about postpartum and the normal changes experienced in the process of becoming a mom along with seeing her HTMA and having a plan gave her a newfound respect for her body and hope for moving forward.
Approaching healing from a more positive and less stressed place rather than focusing only on everything that’s “wrong” makes a world of difference.
If this client’s story sounds familiar and you’re ready to get answers and feel better ASAP too, apply to work with me below!
As a functional nutritionist specializing in women’s health through motherhood, I have a variety of highly customized services to help you find and finally address the root causes of your symptoms so you can stop just surviving and start thriving.