Do you think that all women could benefit from supplementation?
I struggle to answer this question because we are all so different! To be very general, I think most women can benefit from a quality magnesium supplement, beef liver capsules and a fish oil high in DHA. Magnesium can help with hormones, sleep quality, and mood regulation. Beef liver is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet, unfortunately not many of us consume it in our diet so having it in capsule form is a nice daily nutrient boost. Omega-3’s found in fish oil are important for hormonal health, pregnancy & breastfeeding. 90% of Australian women don’t meet DHA requirements for pregnancy and lactation so supplementation is often necessary.
Are prenatal/pregnant/postpartum women able to adequately nourish their bodies through food alone?
The demands of pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are huge, and I find it rare that women can thrive in this stage of life without support from supplements or herbal medicine. In the perfect world we would be getting all our nutrients from food but in this modern day it just isn’t realistic for most women.
How can a postpartum woman speed up her recovery process?
Recovering from childbirth can be supported by nourishing foods, quality supplements, and specific herbal remedies. Nutrient-rich foods such as bone broth, slow-cooked meats, eggs, soups, oily fish, fruits, and vegetables can aid in the healing process. I find raspberry leaf (whether in tea or tincture form) particularly beneficial in the immediate postpartum period, as it can help reduce bleeding and promote breast milk production.
It's crucial to emphasise the importance of rest. While herbs and supplements can be supportive, they cannot replace the necessity of adequate rest. Rest allows your organs to return to their original size and position and supports your body in producing the necessary hormones for breastfeeding.