Mineral & Vitamin Levels
If you’re feeling exhausted and a little shaky a few weeks after you deliver your baby, don’t worry. It’s perfectly normal. But did you know that these symptoms have been linked to low levels of iron? New moms have a higher risk of developing iron deficiency after giving birth because of the loss of blood they experience during delivery according to Sarah O’Hara, a registered dietitian in Calgary who specializes in post- and prenatal care. She advises women to keep taking prenatal multivitamins with iron during the time they’re breastfeeding. If they’re not breastfeeding the vitamins should be taken during the duration of their post-delivery bleeding episodes. Make sure you eat foods rich in iron too, such as leafy greens, lentils, beans, products with fortified whole grains, and red meat. Within a few weeks, you should start to feel better. There are some deficiencies that your doctor should have a look at right away including cravings to eat ice cubes instead of food, cold feet or hands, a swollen tongue, dizziness, pale skin, and shortness of breath. A simple blood test can check the levels of iron you have in your blood.
When you breastfeed, you need minerals, zinc, selenium, iodine, copper, chromium, choline, and vitamins A, E, B, and C complex. The best way to get these vitamins is to eat healthy foods along with some protein and complex carbohydrates, including whole grains, lentils and beans, vegetables, and fruits. Studies have even shown that vitamin D deficiency can lead to an increased risk of mood disorders related to postpartum depression, but the results aren’t conclusive. Before you start taking supplements, talk to your doctor first.
