Balancing Postpartum hormones- skin issues

[PapayaMom]

This is a bit premature as baby isn't due until july but it has been a big concern of mine since becoming pregnant.

The backstory is that with all three pregnancies I have gotten extremely sick for most of the pregnancy. Because of this coupled with my postpartum response I have a feeling that my body doesn't respond well to hormonal fluxes.

My skin after having my last daughter was horrible about a week after giving birth I broke out so badly it was really difficult to deal with it took months and months to get the acne under control but it never went away fully. when my cycle returned I was breaking out around ovulation and then again around my period. Now that I am into this pregnancy my skin has evened out and is the best it has been in years.

So I am trying to research what I can take after giving birth that will help my body rid itself of the pregnancy hormones in a way that isn't so destructive. Vitex, milk thistle are some ideas I have. But I have to be mindful of breastfeeding. I have always had a way oversupply of milk so I am not worried about drying up completely and the babies have always had a tough time with my ample supply so a little less would be fine by me. I just want to walk this line very carefully.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I am really worried about my skin and am still dealing with the scarring that occurred after having dd#2 I really don't want to go through it again. I let my vanity get the best of me and have next to no pictures of dd#2 and I when she was teeny.

[mom61508]

Originally Posted by PapayaMom

This is a bit premature as baby isn't due until july but it has been a big concern of mine since becoming pregnant.

The backstory is that with all three pregnancies I have gotten extremely sick for most of the pregnancy. Because of this coupled with my postpartum response I have a feeling that my body doesn't respond well to hormonal fluxes.

My skin after having my last daughter was horrible about a week after giving birth I broke out so badly it was really difficult to deal with it took months and months to get the acne under control but it never went away fully. when my cycle returned I was breaking out around ovulation and then again around my period. Now that I am into this pregnancy my skin has evened out and is the best it has been in years.

So I am trying to research what I can take after giving birth that will help my body rid itself of the pregnancy hormones in a way that isn't so destructive. Vitex, milk thistle are some ideas I have. But I have to be mindful of breastfeeding. I have always had a way oversupply of milk so I am not worried about drying up completely and the babies have always had a tough time with my ample supply so a little less would be fine by me. I just want to walk this line very carefully.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I am really worried about my skin and am still dealing with the scarring that occurred after having dd#2 I really don't want to go through it again. I let my vanity get the best of me and have next to no pictures of dd#2 and I when she was teeny.

Wish I could help but maybe see an herbalist for some ideas? The hard thing is being so limited on what you can take while pregnant/nursing. I had terrible skin while pregnant with DD...I mean terrible. I have since seen an ND and she says skin issues is almost always related to liver. I'm working on putting together some cleanses now. But I'm no longer nursing DD so it's easier for me now. I feel your pain though. I hope you can figure something out

[mbravebird]

Consuming some of your placenta after giving birth should really help you. Consuming placenta supposedly really helps with skin issues -- in the mother and the baby, as well as depression, milk regulation, etc. It helps with so many things. There are a few books out about it.

When I did it, I froze it, cut off little pill-sized pieces, and swallowed them like pills a few times a day for about a week after giving birth. Some moms think using it fresh is more potent, some moms make a smoothie, other folks dry it and powder it. Supposedly, dried and powdered placenta lasts a long long time and can be made into ointments, famously good for skin. They even make commercial placenta products, from animals' placentas, as acne creams.

Magnesium supplements -- in addition to whatever cal/mag supps you have -- should help you reduce your oversupply and OALD. NaturalCalm is a good choice, and you can get it more affordably at iherb or vitacost.

ETA: here's a link to a great book that gives more info about it: http://www.midwiferytoday.com/books/placenta.asp