The body of a pregnant woman undergoes great changes within 9 months. After all, during all this time it is necessary to ensure not only the normal life of your own, but also the proper development of the unborn baby. Thus, it is generally accepted that the body of a pregnant woman works for two. After a certain period, the happy time of the birth of the baby comes. There is a birth process, which also requires certain efforts, physical and psychological costs of the body. In general, it turns out that almost during the year the body undergoes various changes, especially at the hormonal level. Naturally, after such a load, it requires recovery.
How to restore the body? What vitamins to take after childbirth, we will consider in the article.
What happens to the body after childbirth?
After a long nine months of bearing a child, the body will not immediately return to normal and return to its previous state. A woman needs some time to regain strength and fully return to her previous way of life. Breastfeeding also imposes certain restrictions. Especially ifthe baby suddenly has an allergic reaction to certain foods.
At least the recovery process will take 2-3 months, and in the case of breastfeeding, even more. During this time, the work of the organs of the reproductive system is normalized.
Pay attention to the recovery process. Sometimes it happens that after childbirth, chronic ailments appear that you did not know about before. For example, diabetes, pyelonephritis, arthritis, hormonal disorders.
Especially often exacerbations occur after the second and subsequent births. If the recovery process takes a long time, a comprehensive examination is needed. This will avoid many problems in the future.
The birth process also gives positive results. So, under the influence of the development of the placenta, the body produces progesterone, estrogen, cortisol. These hormones prolong youth. Thanks to them, menopause comes later.
Another point is that eggs are not produced for 9 months, therefore, the reproductive function of a woman is preserved longer.
Why do we need vitamins after childbirth?
The body after childbirth is very weakened. In addition to the fact that the woman's body has experienced some stress, in the postpartum period, the load does not decrease at all. After all, you need to feed the baby with breast milk, vital microelements will come from the body of the mother of the child. Therefore, you need to take vitamins after childbirth to restore strength and enrich breast milk with the necessary elements. Useful substances are also necessary for the mother's body.
The most essential postpartum vitamins
Let's figure out what vitamins are needed after childbirth unambiguously. If you took iron during pregnancy, you will most likely be given iron supplements again in the postpartum period. For what reason? No matter how you gave birth (naturally or by caesarean section), your body loses a lot of blood. A few days after giving birth, a complete blood count is performed, if the tests show low hemoglobin, then you will most likely be prescribed iron.
The most commonly prescribed iron supplements are:
- "Sorbifer Durules".
- "Aktiferrin".
- "M altofer".
In "Sorbifer" and "Aktiferrin" iron, as a microelement, is in its pure form, and in "M altofer" folic acid is added to iron. This component of the drug is necessary for iron to be well absorbed into the blood.
The next important postpartum vitamins are the B vitamins. The most well-known symptom of a lack of these substances is postpartum depression. Vitamins B6, B12 and others are contained in the Angiovit preparation.
During pregnancy, bones, teeth, hair, nails are exposed. Here, vitamin A is the first assistant. In the postpartum period, this component is necessary not only for the mother, but also for the baby.
Vitamin D is responsible for bones and teeth. It should also be drunk after childbirth.
Well, everyoneknown ascorbic acid. With the help of it, bones, blood vessels are restored, immunity is strengthened. In general, all foods containing vitamin C are contraindicated for those who are breastfeeding. After all, they can cause an allergic reaction in the baby. Therefore, vitamin C after childbirth must be taken.
Vitamin content in foods
Nutrition in the postpartum period plays an important role not only in the recovery of a woman after childbirth, but also in the general condition of her and the child. Let's figure out which foods contain certain vitamins needed after childbirth.
Butter, fish oil, egg yolk and liver are rich in vitamin A. Green vegetables and broccoli are rich in vitamin C. This vitamin is also abundant in citrus fruits, especially lemons and oranges. But citrus fruits are not recommended for use in the first months of breastfeeding, as they can cause allergies in the baby.
Sour-milk products and seafood contain vitamin B12. Carrots, cabbage, bananas, liver contain B6. Vitamin B2 predominates in milk and dairy products, eggs, lamb. Prunes, black currants, cereals, nuts in the composition have B1. Liver, cod, cheese, cottage cheese, sea fish are rich in vitamin D.
Live Vitamins
From May you can eat cherries, even when breastfeeding. Currant is suitable for both mother and child from 5 months. Figs will effectively increase immunity. Persimmon will provide iodine and increase hemoglobin. Pomegranate helps to defeat viruses. This fruit alsoincrease hemoglobin. Just be sure to pay attention to the quality of the fruit.
Why can't vitamin deficiencies be filled with proper nutrition?
There are some peculiarities in taking vitamins. Therefore, not all nutrients are absorbed with food:
- some vitamins are absorbed only in combination with others;
- cooking, heat treatment sometimes just destroys vitamins;
- to understand if you took the right amount of vitamins, you should do the calculations;
- due to the characteristics of the body or the presence of diseases, some foods containing vitamins have to be excluded from the diet.
Signs of vitamin deficiency
The following signs indicate the lack of trace elements in the body:
- peeling of the skin of the face and hands;
- skin rashes (acne and pimples);
- thin, brittle nail plates;
- hair loss.
Also, a lack of vitamins can cause hormonal imbalances, most often resulting in excess weight and sometimes thyroid disorders.
Anemia is a common occurrence after childbirth, which is also a consequence of a lack of nutrients. Deterioration of digestion and disturbances in the functioning of the liver is also a frequent occurrence with a lack of vitamins after childbirth.
In order to replenish the reserves of nutrients, first of all, you need to properly think over your diet. It should be useful for both mom and baby. But onlyThis is not enough. Why?
Here's the thing. For example, to meet the daily requirement for vitamin B, you need to eat half a kilogram of beef and add a loaf of rye bread. A woman's body needs all the vitamins after childbirth. Therefore, if you replenish your vitamin supply with only food, you need to eat a huge amount of food.
The best postpartum vitamins. Overview
From the foregoing, it is clear that it is better to take vitamins as a complex, since after childbirth the body needs various substances, not all of which can be obtained from food. Before you start taking, be sure to consult with a specialist. And it's better with the one who led your pregnancy to determine which vitamins to drink after childbirth. The doctor will tell you the right complex.
Pharmacy offers a large number of different postpartum vitamins separately and in combination. Each drug has its own characteristics:
- "Alphabet". Vitamin complex should be taken 3 times a day. This technique ensures maximum absorption of the drug in the body of a woman. But there is not enough folic acid in this remedy. You may be given a separate appointment.
- "Mam. Elevit". One of the most popular complexes. Many pregnant women with any disorders are recommended to take these vitamins. The complex contains a large amount of magnesium. But this preparation lacks iodine.
- "Complivit". They take such vitamins even for the prevention of micronutrient deficiencies. Oftenthey are prescribed for pregnant women.
- "Vitrum". Contains vitamins for postpartum recovery. This is a universal drug for pregnant and lactating.
- "Femibion". Contains all the necessary supplements and minerals for postpartum recovery.
What will help recovery after childbirth?
In addition to proper nutrition and taking vitamins, exercise will help restore the body after childbirth. After three months, you can pump the muscles of the press, it is better - from a prone position, in which case there is less load on the spine. Very useful long walking at an accelerated pace, gentle stretching of the muscles.
Caution in taking vitamins
Pay attention to the most important factor in taking complexes - they must be prescribed by a doctor. What vitamins to drink after childbirth can only be reliably told by a specialist. The wrong choice of drug can cause hypervitaminosis or negatively affect your baby if you are breastfeeding.
You can not buy vitamins after childbirth, according to friends or advertising. So if you take a large amount of ascorbic acid, you may have a migraine, and if you overdose on retinol, your hair may fall out. It is worth refusing to take a complex of vitamins, if you have a lack of 1-2 elements, then you can drink them separately.
If the baby has an allergy, this is the reason for refusing to take vitamins. A similar reaction happens not to the vitamins themselves, but to the dyes in them.composition. Reviews about taking vitamins after childbirth are very different. It all depends on the characteristics of the body and the characteristics of the course of pregnancy and childbirth. Now you know what postpartum vitamins are needed.