by: Kate, new NutriChem Mom

 

 

[This is Part 3 of the series called From Bump to Baby, and Everything in Between! that outlines a NutriChem Mom's guide to the best products at each step of her pregnancy journey.]

 

By the end of the series, you'll have learned about:

[Part 1]  The Belly! (The 8 Products That Will Revolutionize Your Pregnancy)

[Part 2]  The Bag! (Pack a Delivery Room Bag That New Moms Everywhere Will Wish They’d Packed)

[Part 3]  The Body! (Post-Pregnancy “Fun” Times: Help for Breastfeeding, Scarring, and GI Issues)

[Part 4]  The Baby! (The 11 Products for Baby that You Won’t Want To Leave Home Without)

 

 

My name is Kate, and I am a proud new Mom of a healthy, almost 1-year old girl. This blog series started so that I could share the information from my own journey with other expectant or new parents. My hope is that reading it will help you in your own journey “from belly to baby”. As always, please consult your health care provider or baby’s health care provider before using any of these supplements or products. I checked with my OBGYN and my ND for myself: you should too!

 

I felt really good throughout most of my pregnancy, so I wasn’t prepared for the toll that birth and post-pregnancy would have on my body. I’m still trying to get my poor digestive system back to its former glory, and am hoping that I’ll get there soon. I chose to breastfeed my daughter, but like a lot of women have had a few roadblocks with sore, cracked nipples and low milk supply.

 

As a new Mom, you dedicate all your energy and efforts on your new baby – and rightfully so! But if I could go back and do it all over again, I would carve out a few extra minutes to take more care of my post-birth recovery. No matter what your birth experience, be it a vaginal delivery, a C-section or a combination of both, your body has been through a lot.

 

Two days after birth, when I started to feel really sore and had increased pain, I noticed that I was close to running a fever (which is a sign of infection). My doctor recommended that I do 3 sitz baths a day with baking soda, and although this was time away from the baby, I never did end up with an infection or fever and my stitches healed very well. The first two weeks at home with a new baby was a blur of sleepless nights, breastfeeding trial and errors, and wearing the biggest menstrual pads I have ever worn in my life. (Try explaining to your husband to “buy maxi pads with like 10 filled-in raindrops”!!!)

 

 

Kate’s Fave Seven: Don’t forget to take care of YOU!

 

With all that I went through (and I know women who’ve been through more), I wanted to help other women who are going through new motherhood and might be having a rough time. Here is a list of a few items that helped me as I eased my way through the first year – and especially the first few months – as a new mom.

 

 

Earth Mama / Angel Baby Organic Milkmaid Tea

I took this when I got home from the hospital and seemed to have no issue with my milk coming in after 3 days. It’s a great organic herbal tea for breastfeeding mamas that I took throughout breastfeeding my daughter.

 

NutriChem Fade Away Gel

I had heard a lot of great feedback from customers using this gel for scars and stretch marks, but had been fortunate that I did not have to use it (humble brag). After giving birth however, I noticed some stretch marks on my stomach and used this once a day. After a couple or months, I noticed that the purple stretch marks had faded quite dramatically. *Consult a pharmacist to see if right for you.

 

Motherlove More Milk Plus

This is a proprietary supplement blend of extracts from certified organic fenugreek seek, blessed thistle, stinging nettle and sweet fennel. When I went back to work, my milk supply dramatically changed. Almost immediately after taking this product, I noticed results. I did eventually have to go up to the full dose to increase my milk supply, but there is also a liquid available if you need a higher concentration.

 

Boiron Avenoc Hemorrhoids Suppositories

I had never in my life experienced hemorrhoids, but post-pregnancy was a whole different ball game. These homeopathic suppositories helped alleviate a lot of discomfort I was experiencing. Hemorrhoids may be indicative of excessive straining and constipation. In the case of constipation, you need to also address the digestive system issue. Make sure you are drinking plenty of liquids, especially water (glass of warm water with lemon first thing in the morning is good), and eating foods that will help ease the constipation (like prunes or prune juice tonic, linseed/flaxseed, fruits, etc.).

 

 

Thayers Unscented Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel with Aloe Vera

Witch hazel is a great natural remedy to assist with relieving hemorrhoid irritation and inflammation; the aloe in this formula is also especially soothing. This was great to ensure that I kept my poor post-pregnancy stitches clean and free of infection. Bonus: it works great as a facial toner too!

 

Pure-le Natural Fiberific

To carry on with the glamorous life of a new mom, I was severely constipated: even eating bowls of oatmeal was not helping. I used this vegan, 100% natural fiber from chicory root to help keep me “regular.” This dietary fibre supplement dissolves completely in beverages and foods, is taste-free, leaves no aftertaste and no grit, and doesn't thicken what it's mixed with. 

 

NutriChem Radiance Cream

My skin was glowing during my pregnancy: it was the best it’s ever been, and I was riding on a high that made me think it would be like that forever! At 5 weeks post-pregnancy my hormones went crazy and my skin dried out and broke out really badly. Radiance helped to keep my skin nice and moisturized without making it break out. The essential fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) helps to hydrate the skin and has anti-inflammatory effects.

 

 

Choose to / Have to Formula Feed Your Baby? Here are some brands that we recommend!

 

Hipp Organic First Infant Milk

 

Dairy Free – Nanny Care First Infant Milk (Goat Milk Based)

 

For severe allergies & intolerances, there's Mineral Matrix (Pure Dehydrated Goat Whey) that's soy-free, gluten-free, and hypoallergenic.

 

Nothing on market that works for you or your little one? Under the care of pediatrician and/or your baby’s physician, you could ask if making your own homemade baby formula would work for your family.

 

 

My one year post-pregnancy-body update

 

My daughter recently turned ONE (where does the time go?!), meaning that my body also has had a year to recover from pregnancy. Here's where I stand now, one-year post-delivery.

 

Breastfeeding: I am currently only breastfeeding my daughter at night. She has been avidly eating all the healthy food we make her the rest of the time, including this chia seed breakfast pudding. I had issues with breastmilk supply at the 9-month mark, and used the products mentioned above to help with that. I also had on-and-off issues with cracked nipples and have been using the nipple salve I mentioned in part two of this blog series. My chest size has also drastically reduced… not sure if I will ever fit into my pre-pregnancy bras again (silver lining = shopping for new ones!).

 

Click here for a NutriChem recipe for Gluten-Free Almond and Chocolate Chip Lactation Cookies. They help maintain milk production in most women, and even to increase production in others!

 

 

 

Gastrointestinal Issues: I struggled for a long time post-pregnancy (about 9 months post-pregnancy) and have finally kept hemorrhoids and constipation away for the last couple of months. I have done this by taking Mega Mag (magnesium glyncinate) consistently every night. GI issues have probably been my most frustrating post-pregnancy problem, and I wish I’d eaten more fibre, drank more water, and taken better action at the early signs of serious GI issues. Please don’t make the same mistake I made! I also continue to take my Nutridophilus Essentials probiotic in the morning to set my GI system up for success throughout the day.

 

Eczema & Skin: My eczema came back with a vengeance post-pregnancy. I did the food sensitivity testing through NutriChem’s clinic and found out I was off the charts with intolerances to diary, gluten and about 33 other foods. In May, I plan on eating according to the Whole30 diet to really clean up my skin, as it has been very inflamed and irritated.

 

Weight: There is a fabulous quote that actress Olivia Wilde said: “I believe in a world where mothers are not expected to shed any physical evidence of their child-bearing experience. In that same world, I believe there is space for exercise to be as much a gift to your brain as it is your body.” I am currently less than 10 pounds (give or take) away from my pre-pregnancy weight, and plan to healthily continue to shed a few more pounds in my own time. This spring and summer I plan on really eating clean and doing more outdoor actives like running and cycling. However, I find that post-pregnancy me doesn’t care that much that my stomach isn’t flat or that my body hasn’t gone back to its pre-pregnancy shape. Feeling healthy and energetic is what I’m striving for!

 

source: Beauty Redefined

 

 

Energy Levels: By continuing to take my Custom Vitamin I hadn’t had any energy issues until I got my period last month. When breastfeeding, your period (aka menses) stays away for the most part. When my menses finally arrived, I was exhausted, and then once it was finished my energy levels went back up. I suspect that my iron levels are low as I’ve had issues with that in the past, so I’m going to get my iron re-tested to see if I need to adjust my Custom Vitamin formula. You can read more about the journey to getting a custom vitamin formula in the blog series My BCB Journey.

 

 

I hope you found this post useful in your own pregnancy journey! Make sure to tune in every week in April to read another instalment. As a reminder, I consulted my health care practitioners before I used any of these products. Please consult with your health care provider or baby’s health care provider to see if any of these supplements or products are right and safe for you!

 

 

Coming up next week

 

In Part 4, I will share my favourite products for Baby, based on my experience with my own little one!

 

If you have any questions about any of these supplements, products or services, please leave me a comment below, or call the fantastic staff at NutriChem!

 

 

Missed a post in this series? Catch up here!

 

[Part 1]  The Belly! (The 8 Products That Will Revolutionize Your Pregnancy)

[Part 2]  The Bag! (Pack a Delivery Room Bag That New Moms Everywhere Will Wish They’d Packed)

[Part 3]  The Body! (Post-Pregnancy “Fun” Times: Help for Breastfeeding, Scarring, and GI Issues)

[Part 4]  The Baby! (The 11 Products for Baby that You Won’t Want To Leave Home Without)

 

 

 

Contest Alert!!!

 

 

YOU COULD WIN THESE PRODUCTS! (1 gift basket, over $200 value)
~Products for pregnancy, new parenthood, and baby~

 

These products are featured in our “From Bump to Baby” blog series throughout the month of April!

 

Here’s how to enter: