As some of you know, I am completely fed up with the anxiety I experience postpartum. I’ve dealt with postpartum anxiety after every pregnancy, and it always seems to kick in around the 10-month mark. The only tried-and-true “cure” I’ve found has been—drumroll, please—pregnancy! For some reason, getting pregnant again halts the turmoil in my brain (we will research why that is at a later date). So, here we are, exploring why that happens, why some of us experience postpartum anxiety and depression, and what might be causing it. Today, the road we’re traveling down is called Postnatal Depletion.
What is Postnatal Depletion? Postnatal depletion refers to the severely depleted state of a new mom caused by nutrient loss during pregnancy and/or breastfeeding.
When you find out you’re pregnant, your doctor often delivers the good news along with a list of do’s and don’ts:
Don’t eat lunch meat or drink alcohol.
Do drink lots of water and start taking a daily prenatal multivitamin.
If you’re like me, remembering to drink water is already a struggle, let alone taking a daily prenatal. I always start off super intentional, but if I’m honest, I’ve missed more doses than I’ve taken. When a strong, healthy baby arrives, I used to assume those vitamins weren’t really necessary. With each subsequent pregnancy, I’d take them less and less. Now, I realize how wrong I was.
Prenatals aren’t just for making a healthy baby—they’re also for you. While your body can often sustain a healthy pregnancy, that perfect little bundle of joy is literally sucking you dry.
Nutrient Depletion During Pregnancy
During those nine months, your baby is drawing from your body’s reserves, depleting critical nutrients like:
Folate: Helps your body make new cells, DNA, and other genetic material.
Iron: Supports hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) and myoglobin (for muscle oxygenation).
Calcium: Essential for strong bones and teeth, muscle function, and heart health.
Vitamin D: Vital for bone health, muscle movement, nerve communication, and immune function.
Iodine: Needed for thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism.
Choline: Supports memory, mood, and muscle control.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Promote cellular function and overall system health.
Here’s the kicker: the symptoms of deficiency in these nutrients often mimic postpartum anxiety and depression. For example:
Folate: Fatigue.
Iron: Dizziness, fatigue, palpitations, brittle nails, shortness of breath.
Calcium: Muscle cramps, weakness, fatigue, irritability.
Vitamin D: Muscle pain, fatigue.
Iodine: Fatigue, sensitivity to cold, difficulty thinking clearly.
Choline: Mood changes, memory issues, nerve damage.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Dry skin, brain fog, depression, joint pain.
But Wait—Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Harmful
It’s tempting to start supplementing immediately, but excessive intake can also cause problems.
Symptoms of over-supplementation include:
Folate: Nausea, bloating, irritability, difficulty sleeping.
Iron: Nausea, liver damage, irregular heartbeat.
Calcium: Constipation, confusion, kidney stones.
Vitamin D: Appetite loss, disorientation, frequent urination.
Iodine: Stomach upset, goiter, irregular heartbeat.
Choline: Fishy body odor, low blood pressure, dizziness.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Nausea, high blood sugar, insomnia.
The Solution: Bloodwork
The first step to addressing these potential deficiencies is getting bloodwork done. This can feel daunting, but it’s worth it. Here’s a breakdown of the tests and panels you might need:
Thyroid Disorder Nutrient Deficiency Test Panel: Vitamin D, Iodine, Ferritin, Iron, Selenium ($149).
Vitamin B12 & Folate Test: ($82).
Calcium Test: ($52).
Omega-3 & Omega-6 Ratio Test: ($79).
Total Cost: $362
If you have a doctor you trust, ask them to run these tests. However, many doctors may brush off your concerns and suggest antidepressants instead. While antidepressants have their place, they often don’t address the root cause. If you’ve had enough of being dismissed, you can order these tests yourself through Quest Diagnostics or similar labs—no doctor’s order needed. Just be aware of the cost and whether your insurance might cover it (calling your insurance and asking is easier than you may think!).
My Plan
This is a journey for me too. In the next two weeks, I’ll have my bloodwork done and share my results. I’m treating this like a scientific experiment:
Ask a Question: Does pregnancy and breastfeeding deplete my nutrient levels enough to cause anxiety?
Do Background Research: Evidence shows postnatal depletion can last anywhere from six months to 10 years.
Construct a Hypothesis: My anxiety is the result of deficiencies caused by pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Test with an Experiment: Bloodwork is step one.
I know anxiety and depression take a toll, and postpartum is no joke. I hope this information helps you. Please share in the comments if you have tips or experiences that could help another mom. At the end of the day, we know our bodies best. Let’s advocate for ourselves, ask questions, and demand answers—even if it means navigating frustrating medical systems. This is just the first step in untangling the complexities of postpartum, and I’ll do my best to share everything I’ve learned in the hope that it helps another mom who’s struggling, just like I am.
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