Stress: The New Post Partum Diet Plan

Well, I'd say that I've had enough stress that one new mother can handle.

You know, I truly am thankful that Noah's condition is manageable, because there are so many other parents with much sicker children. I was telling this to one of the nurses and she said that I couldn't allow myself to think like that because each situation is unique and no matter what the emergency, it's still scary to go through it.

Although I saw her point, I still feel very blessed.

The first few days and weeks home with Noah after "the incident", were stressful. I was obsessed with checking his heart rate with the stethescope they gave us at the hospital, and was religious in writing down every single count in the little diary I'd created. I'd check him when he slept too long. I'd check him when he didn't seem that hungry. I'd check him when he coughed, when he twitched and when he sneezed. I was slowly driving myself crazy.

Balancing the demands of a healthy newborn with the demands of a sick newborn started taking its' toll. I found it very taxing to keep an eye on the clock to ensure he got his medicine and heart checks on time.

I started feeling very detached from everything that was going on around me. I was wrapped up in this little world of fear and love for my helpless little baby. I knew it was time to get some help when my husband, my son, and I went to an outdoor old car show and I was walking around with my hands in my pockets staring blankly ahead. I was oblivious to what was going on around me.

I think the key factor in avoiding post partum depression is being keenly aware of your mental state at all times. When I was pregnant, I ensured I ate well, got plenty of fluids and rest and remembered to take my pre-natal vitamins daily. So, when I was pregnant, I was the healthiest I'd ever been in my life.

All new mothers suffer from sleep deprivation and poor nutrtition in the first few weeks and months after the birth of a child. You can literally go a whole day before you realize you haven't eaten a thing. This is why it's so important to take care of youself in the weeks following your delivery. Your body still needs those nutrients to keep itself going.

So, sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, stress of a newborn with added stress of sick newborn, makes for a lethal combination. I decided to ask my local pharmacist what were some natural alternatives I could try to battle this stress, depression, and anxiety. He suggested a B-Vitamin Complex and if that didn't work, to come back and purchase St. John's Wort.

I wasn't going to be a martyr...if the two options he gave me didn't work, I would have talked to my doctor to get myself properly taken care of, but I had nothing to lose to at least try the vitamins.

I took one that evening, and by the time Noah woke up around 3 a.m. for his feeding, I couldn't believe the difference. I had energy, I felt happy, I felt at peace. I had no feelings one way or the other as to whether or not the vitamins were going to work, so I genuinely believe they helped me bounce back. Our bodies are amazing little mysteries. It makes sense that my body was lacking nutrients therefore making me suffer emotionally.

By the time my 6 week check-up rolled around, I felt like myself again. I still have my moments, but I am much more content and at peace.

I don't own a scale, so I was looking forward to seeing how much I'd lost. My pre-pregnancy weight was 134, and by the time I went in to deliver Noah, I was just over 170 lbs.

I stepped on the scale and was scared to look. I heard the nurse say, 141.

"141? SERIOUSLY?? That's all??? YIPPEE!"

Turns out all that stress and anxiety was good for something.