is it normal to feel terrible postpartum?

Just chatting, not giving medical advice in any kind of official or authoritative capacity 😊
Steps I’ve taken to heal underlying autoimmunity that flares up postpartum:
Remember, you cant supplement your way out of a harmful diet thats causing or exacerbating gut dysbiosis which is the root cause for your autoimmunity.
1) Avoid antibiotics at all costs. Say no to all vaccines. Try to avoid living a high stress lifestyle and sleep deprivation.
2)Remove problem foods to allow healing. Start by removing all grains and added sugars from your diet and replace them with quality animal products. Get at least 1 gram of protein per ideal lb body weight in your diet every day. If/when you do reincorporate grains, use only ancient grain like einkorn or emmer and long ferment it with sourdough starter. Long fermented grain should be a very small part of the diet, meat and animal products should be the bulk.
3) Reintroduce vital strains of bacteria into your gut to heal dysbiosis. Learn to make sauerkraut, milk kefir, and L. reuteri “yogurt”. Learn to ferment veggies. Eat these things daily. Making your own probiotics this way is MUCH more effective and far cheaper than the best probiotic on the market.
This isn’t an exhaustive healing plan, just 3 simple tips to get you started and see MAJOR improvement. I am a big believer in supplementation but don’t even think about investing in supplements before doing these 3 steps because if you have gut dysbiosis or are consuming lots of modern grain or added sugar then that’s binding to your supplements and preventing you from absorbing minerals so it’s essentially all coming out in the wash and you are wasting your $$$
If you have some $$$ to invest in your health, buy a deep freezer and half a beef or buy raw milk and fresh eggs from a local farm. Quality animal products will go so much further in improving health than supplements! But please don’t skip the grain elimination step. If you are eating grass fed beef, fresh eggs, and raw milk but also consuming modern wheat (yes even the organic stuff is bad) then you’re still going to have problems.
Dont limit good animal fats! Limit carbs instead. Animal fats arent causing heart disease or making you insulin resistant and overweight, too many carbs from grains and sugars are doing that.
Since I know I’ll get questions about supplements - this is what I take and have taken for a long time:
Beef Liver or Multi Organs
Mushroom Blend
Magnesium
MCT oil in coffee every morning
Vitamin K2-7
A scoop of grass fed collagen in my water or coffee
This is what I take daily all the time whether im pregnant, breastfeeding, or both, or neither. I have other stuff i take occasionally too but these are my daily essentials. I get everything from perfect supplements because they offer capsule and powdered forms, they are a small family owned business, and all products are grass fed and finished, they are just the best quality that I have found and they offer discounts when you buy in bulk, which makes it easy for me to buy supplements for my large family. Use code HOPEWELLHEIGHTS10 for 10% off your order and you can stack that on top of any other discounts they offer.
PERFECT SUPPLEMENTS: www.perfectsup...

[@elenap-ot4gh]

Please never stop making these long talks, especially about babies, health and medicine, a lot of us don't have a smart common sense woman with a ton of experience and are just grasping for any shred of that. God bless you🙏❤

[@trinitybell945]

Agree!

[@bethanyreimer]

100% agree!!!

[@Ellisfam2023]

1000% agree

[@amsolutions9719]

❤ I agree❤

[@SkySilver777]

This topic practically brought tears to my eyes. I’m 5 weeks PP with baby number 5 (my oldest child is 6) and not one single woman in my family has so much as half-heartedly offered to come help me- something as simple as bringing a coffee over. Nevermind *actual help.* My birth went smooth but this PP period has been my hardest by far. The only solace I take in this is telling myself my daughters or daughter in laws won’t go through this if they’ll let me help them. I almost never want to forget how hard it’s been to heal so that I don’t let it happen to any women in my own circle. I just wish the same consideration was given for me.

[@HopewellHeights]

This is all too common and it has had disastrous effects on mothers, babies, and therefor society 😔

[@magen2271]

I’m sorry mama. I am currently pregnant with my 5th but I miscarried my 4th in April. I had phenomenal support from my husband with our third but without him I had almost no help from family. Not a meal, not a call, not a hey do you need a bath. I have the same view as you. Even though it’s been hard for me I will use that experience as a learning lesson to not allow my children to experience what I did (if allowed). I want my kids to have support and knowledge to know how to care for their bodies and children and the love and support of family to go with. We will break those cycles.

[@brandischroeder267]

I had no idea how common this was... I'm so sorry you had to go through this too. I thought it was my fault for not trying to build relationships more or something.

[@SkySilver777]

@@brandischroeder267 I had that thought as well. "maybe if I were closer to people they'd offer help" but tbh how much closer can you be to your own mother, or sister? we shouldn't be "blaming ourselves" when were in a position of needing help- especially if people feel close enough to us to expect to be invited over to hold a cute newborn- but not close enough to wash a dish or drop off a meal? I can show up to every party WITH having kids & tons of responsibilities for friends for YEARS but they can't show up for me when I need help most? unfortunately I think people these days are just incredibly selfish and dont see a "benefit" for them to go out of their way for someone else.

[@SkySilver777]

@@magen2271 I completely empathize with you

[@briannapeters4936]

Ok can we get a part 2? 😂 I just feel like im totally on board with what you said and I want to heal my gut. But I legit feel like a 5 year old that can’t understand what to do without flour. Like… I’m pretty sure I use flour almost every single day multiple times a day in meals. Or rice. Or pasta. How do I get away from it? What do meals even look like without it lol.. talk to me like a 1st grader please. Or maybe you could show us a what you eat in a week? Thanks for the video and great info! ❤

[@HopewellHeights]

I keep it pretty basic with my daily diet because it’s just easier for me to maintain when I more or less eat the same things every day while I am healing but yes I will cover it in more detail and share what I’m eating specifically!

[@crystalgibson8058]

Yes, I have the same question. I'm also in postpartum and I'm starting to feel the symptoms that I've dealt with before after my last baby. I want to heal and would love to learn more about what you actually eat and do you still feed your family grains even though you are not eating them?

[@martinritawhyle887]

I'm 67 with nine grandchildren under eight. I'm super active and easily have five of them overnight or longer. My husband and I are cherished by our family and we all love big gatherings. We have been very very intentional with this. We choose to have quality and quantity relationships with our grandchildren. When little ones stayed over with mum and dad, we were the bed they jumped on in the early mornings and we had stories, giggles and rough and tumble before breakfast. Their parents had a sleep in and went off duty. I often tell my children that I'm still their mother and as such I can be a good listening ear as well as a strong arm. My husband and I have looked after our health all our adult years. We took no pharmaceuticals at all unless it was super serious. We have excellent health. Our children were raised this way. We ate food from scratch and baked our own bread. Processed food was not part of our diet. However we ate joyfully all food in hospitality situations. i have in the last decade discovered sourdough, kefir, sauerkraut and have passed these skills onto the family. I say all this because it wasn't possible to have this when i was raising our our children. I also say this because we have made a decision to be significant and present to our family. Just to keep this real, we have a big life ourselves with friends, hiking, praying, gardening and keeping up with the times we are in.

[@HopewellHeights]

Bless you!!! This is so encouraging, this is the way! 👏🏽

[@kathleengallagher2659]

I'm 73 and love your channel. In 2005 I had cancer and had 4 rounds of chemo and 35 days of radiation to my gut. I was told by my Radiation Oncologist at the time that it would damage my colon and I'd probably never have normal bowel movements. Well..my colon is a mess and become worse as I age. My gut is so damaged. I try eliminating certain foods...it's so difficult...I'm a mess. Also, for the last 3 years I've been plagued with UTIs!!! The only way to get RID of them is antibiotics! I'm pretty discouraged!

[@sabrina.marion]

This is beautiful!❤

[@tdfulton1]

Will keep you in prayer sister!​@@kathleengallagher2659

[@PoetriiseStanzafyah]

Love this comment! So motivating, thank you for sharing 🤍

[@Heartforheaven]

I don’t have a mother or a sister, I need these talks, please don’t stop

[@elenap-ot4gh]

same

[@Tori-to9jm]

I don’t see a lot of women in the homebirth community talking about their health issues while in them either so I’m very grateful for this content.

[@annauzun1648]

I would love to see “what I eat in a day/week whatever you feel like doing with explanations as to why you are eating what you are eating, and why you’re not eating certain foods

[@saintamerican6105]

Yes bready foods was a huge part of her meal prep videos so im so curious too!!!

[@edenelston7668]

I have to thank you- I'm 3 months postpartum with baby 6, and for the first time in 6 births, I have not had a single inkling of PPD/anxiety 🥰 I followed the same prenatal regimen you did throughout my pregnancy and am continuing to eat well and supplement - I've had excellent milk supply, no mood swings, my skin has been amazingly clear, and there's no excessive fatigue or brain fog. It truly IS NOT NORMAL to feel miserable postpartum - we as a culture are just ignorant as to what it actually requires to nourish a mother and baby. Thank you tremendously for your "older sister" style of guidance throughout the pregnancy and birthing process.

[@HopewellHeights]

Praise the Lord for a wonderful postpartum!! 🙌🏽

[@saintamerican6105]

God is good! You really must know what you’re doing, hallelujah!!!

[@kathryncurry8728]

I had a very rare auto immune disease that doctors could not figure out. Did my own research & started a carnivore diet. It took awhile, but I was able to heal completely & begin to slowly reintroduce other foods into my diet. I can still tell when I eat certain foods, my body says NO! That’s why I try my best to continue a whole foods diet now. It’s amazing to me that doctors are not given proper training in gut health. EVERYTHING stems from your microbiome & gut flora. They just want to give you a pill, that causes us even more problems. Thank you for sharing your wisdom!

[@hannahschrock4626]

As a pretty well educated person on this topic, here is what I share with my friends and family when they have a new baby. Milk supply and a good nursing relationship are both regulated by hormones and the hormones work best when they well fed, and well rested. Postpartum is a honeymoon to get to know your new little love. Congratulations on a new little life! A few bits of advice from me: please don't let our culture make you feel like you need to hurry up and get well. You just came though the birth of you baby. You need to only heal and take it easy until you actually feel like doing more. Here's how I prepare and plan ahead for postpartum. I have 5 children. For bleeding: •1 pack Adult diapers for the first few days •1 pack overnight pads •1 pack liners •1 peribottle •Cheap salt (I keep the last two near my toilet, and add about a teaspoon to a full peribottle of warm water, and rinse off my vagina after each toilet trip, to speed healing, keep cleaner and more comfortable.) •Cayenne tincture in case of sudden hemorrhage •Comfortable panties, one size up from what was worn before pregnancy •Comfy clothes that are cute, but make you feel put together while your belly is very large and saggy •About 7 Sitz baths worth of herbal mix with salt (I prefer taking the actual bath in a tub, to absorb more herbs, and have someone care for baby while I soak. This really speeds healing!!) Supplements: •After Ease Tincture, take up to every 15 minutes •Red Raspberry leaf tea (I have my 6 year old add a few handfuls to a gallon of water, and I drink it about a quart at a time, sweetened, and with lemon!) •Vitamins (I'm trying a new kind so I don't have a great one to recommend, but you need to keep taking vitamins the whole time you're breastfeeding, and preferably all your life lol. I often skip this and feel less strong, and more depleted later in breastfeeding, so don't do like me! I got teeth issues, probably from not supporting myself. 😐) •Probiotics (keeps away many issues, and nice to have on hand, if needed.) Food: •Sliced turkey meat (quick snack, great for milk supply, promotes rest) •Other healthy no prep snacks (cheese, yogurt, granola bars, crackers, pickles, raw veggies) •Soup: (I like to make a large pot of some and have small portions either canned or frozen so I can heat it up in 5 minutes for a nutritionally packed meal. Use beef or chicken stock for extra good quality! So handy, and healthy. In China they pretty much only eat soup for a month, after birth. Warm broth is SO good for overall health.) •Some freezer meals made and ready to go •Something to do while you rest that is enjoyable. Handiwork, books, etc. (have several books in case one is too boring lol, don't let yourself get bored) Milk supply and a good relationship with your child are both regulated by hormones and the hormones work best when they well fed, thoughts are biblically aligned, and Mama is well rested. And make it enjoyable. You need to plan ahead to rest a lot, and be able to eat and drink whenever you want it. Make it yummy food and nice drinks, so you'll be able to get them down easier. If someone you like offers to help with housework or cooking, ALLOW THEM. Don't allow people over if you don't want them. Don't stress yourself. Now is not the time to except extra pressure. My husband hires a helper girl for a week or two each time I have a baby, and I clock out. It is my vacation, and I am pretty sure that's why I've healed well, had good success nursing, and never had PPD. Homones on a roller coaster need good food, rest and a snuggly baby. Warm-hearted, people I trust around to chat with, and care for my normal responsibilities are so nice. So if you have someone who fits the bill, and you can afford to hire help, or some kind soul offers to do it for free, TAKE THEM UP ON IT!!! Try to avoid stressful thoughts. Enjoying the beauty and sweetness of your new baby is very healthy. Being annoyed with circumstances beyond your control is very unhealthy. It is often tempting to overthink issues while on a hormonal Rollercoaster. My personal experience is it is best to let God handle it. Give it to him in prayer. And stop thinking about it. You are able to control all your thoughts. 🥰Postpartum is a honeymoon to get to know your new little love!!🥰

[@Thinking0-u9s]

Wow this reminds me of when I visited Yemen. When a mother gives birth, her family make for her a pretty and comfortable bed/shrine where she sits in for 40 days in the living room. Her baby is with her but tended to for both of their needs, all she has to do is sit and feed, rest and eat. Her body is also wrapped. She wears white and the community visit her with gifts and sing lovely poems. I had saw nothing like it in my life before 🌸

[@HopewellHeights]

Amazing! It’s incredible that cultures around the world with no contact with each other have these 40 day practices for new mothers and baby

[@sherryshelton199]

Wow I would just stay pregnant 😂

[@apace903]

That's lovely. True support from extended family, friends, community. We all care for your and wish you well.😅

[@vivianzuniga8814]

I just heard a Dr explain that postpartum severity in the USA is caused by folic acid in supplements. And then not taking them after delivery causes women to descend in depression and illness?

[@HopewellHeights]

I can see how folic acid would definitely have negative effects, especially on people with MTHFR!

[@rachelcathy1]

Having to get back to housework so quickly after my homebirth was the biggest shock to me! There was so much laundry

[@HopewellHeights]

It’s a LOT running a household with no relief after baby! 😬

[@carolinenorthenor3634]

Can you please be my friend! lol, I’m so glad that I stumbled upon your channel. I love your raw, honest, and straight forward attitude. I too have 5 kids and although I didn’t struggle with any serious health issues pp, I still encourage new moms to ignore what modern society has tried to ingrain in us….REST! With baby #5 I knew he was our last, at age 43, so I opted to not only rest but stay home and mainly in my room. We kept the lights low and soaked in all the newborn goodness for weeks, almost the entire 4th trimester. It’s not for everyone, but it was by far my best pp, listening to your body is so very important! Bring on menopause!

[@littlerockymtns]

Please start a podcast 👏

[@JillianMarez]

Wow! This is exactly how my postpartum experience was and is going. I almost cried when I realized that mine is a common experience. The gaslighting that goes on in the healthcare system is so demoralizing. Thanks for your testimony and explanation of why I feel this way. I know what I need to do, now, and your story gives me the confidence to go against the grain. I send many prayers of thanks and encouragement for your help and the healing that is to come.

[@HopewellHeights]

Oh yes the gaslighting is SO real!! “It’s ok this is normal and it will pass, go easy on yourself you just had a baby”

[@kayleenchenette7180]

I know some people don't like "what I eat in a day" videos because everyone is different but I honestly think it would be helpful to see how you incorporate these principles in your day-to-day diet. I have been feeling very "off" since giving birth my first baby just over nine months ago. I want to eat better/be healthier. I just feel so crappy. It's kind of hard to put a finger on why I feel poorly. I just do. I'm tired of it. I want to feel better, especially since I want to have more babies!

[@NikkiPhillippi]

This was amazing. THANK YOU🙏🏻☺️🫶🏻

[@evenyberg]

So many women have had to go through PP working or running the home with no help, so they don't have much sympathy if i say i would like help so i can heal properly and learn baby, they think i'm just a whimp (they wont say that word though). I was taking care of my home, homestead-like amount of work in the kitchen, and my 16mo old all of my PP. She is 4 months now, and i just tore my shoulder again, so that is fun being the sole caregiver all day with my shoulder basically loose... my MIL is awesome to help when she can but she is very busy.

[@elenap-ot4gh]

i've been trying this diet for a couple of days, it's somewhat paleo i guess - no grains/beans, main focus of the dish is meat, i eat chicken since it's affordable. i never ate processed food much, i made all my meals from scratch. i feel better even after 3 days, there were some cravings mostly for bread, be sure to eat some sweet potatoes and carbs to not have headaches and load up on protein. i feel more clear headed, with more energy. my husband wakes up on time, usually he snoozes the alarm for half hour, and his eyes look more clear in the morning. i think i feel less hungry in the morning. im 30 weeks pregnant, so im doing this for stronger blood since i'll be doing unassisted birth, and for better microbiome for when baby is born, since they pass through the birth canal and inherit all your flora - this realization hit me hard when i watched this video, i did know it works like that but it just hit close to home. be sure to eat enough carbs if you're pregnant, you need more than usual, dont starve yourself. i will give an update in a couple of weeks. WE NEED A PART 2!!

[@ElaNovember]

I have been following you for a few months, I live in Germany. I was born and raised in an Eastern European country, where I had my son in 2015. How nice it would have been to have access to all this information then! I haven't had another baby since then, because the post-partum period was absolutely horrible, awful! I'm so glad I discovered your vlogs, you offer such precious and clearly explained information!

[@crv_sycamore]

Thank you so much for this video. So many are uneducated, not by their fault, and have no idea how much falls under leaky gut. So many just think adult acne is normal. When you start eating clean suddenly you realize those cute cafe shops have nothing you can eat, and your grocery store trips are shorter because what you can buy clean is minimal, BUT it is truly a LABOR of love for your family in cooking and making EVERYTHING from scratch. My sister just dropped off a box of donuts 😅, and as temping as they look, the sick feeling that lasts for days for me is just not worth it. So thank you because this video was a wonderful reminder of that ❤🎉

[@pichuponcho]

Thank you for sharing these things. I am from Japan and after I gave birth my mom came to help. Usually in Japan's culture, you go to your parents house to give birth. You stay there for however long you need to, before going back to your home. The husband usually comes to see the baby on his days off work. But in my case since she lived abroad, my mom came to me. So, when I had the baby she told me to stay in bed as much as I could for the duration of 40 days. She even told me not to wash my hair for 40 days! I couldn't do that cause the smell of my scalp was stressing me out😂 But I am glad I was able to take it easy postpartum. Grateful for that.

[@PriskaJordan]

This information is extremely helpful! I'm 7 months pregnant, and I have autoimmunity, too. But I've never heard anyone give their personal story of postpartum nutrition for health. I'm also glad you're not a "certified approved official" person... 😆 I prefer hearing your genuine experience. Thank you for sharing this with us!! I'm going to avoid grains and added sugars in my 4th trimester.

[@paigeb9542]

I am two months pp with #4. This is going to change my life. Thank you for sharing. Praying for protection over you and your family as you continue to be a vessel for our Lord.

[@GinxHorne]

@Hopewell heights This saddens me so much. I wish I had known this 30+ years ago when I had my children. Boy! Would I have made seriously other choices. Thank you for this information. God bless you and yours, from South Africa.

[@ashleyjones6888]

I was so hoping you would do this exact video! Thank you so much for sharing 😊

[@bethngugi9787]

Its easier to be 'normal' but it sucks to feel drained and unhealthy. relatable in society but i also say change should be made for everyone, kids, men and women. gut health is for everyone. what we feed our kids. the foods we choose. we prime their gut health very early.

[@DinnerattheMcGills]

I have always been really fortunate that my postpartum have been really nice, but I hold very true to the 1 week in bed, 1 week on the bed and 1 week beside the bed. Fingers crossed #5 looks the same.

[@HopewellHeights]

So awesome that you’re able to do that, it’s SO important!

[@bloomthyself]

The fact that you went on here, being real - vulnerable - and powerful, inspiring other mamas to be better, while sharing your story, backup fundamental information and also how to do it? You just keep getting better and better!!!! Honestly! Only KZbin channel I watch because there's nothing else out there that can be as real as you! Homebirthing, homemaking have a side to it so thank you for sharing this!!! Also, thanks for speaking about vaccines!

[@joslyn2435]

Wow! I had my 5th baby shortly after you had yours and I have been having a flare up as well. I don’t normally comment on KZbin videos, but I wanted to let you know how grateful I am that you shared this ‘woman to woman’ information. I need to get my eating act together. Thank you.💛

[@snowcm135]

I developed Hashimoto's syndrome with my second child. I am 63 and have had autoimmune problems my whole life. The worst was in 2021 when I got two COVID vaccines. My body went into a hyperimmune state and I developed Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria. This lasted for 2 1/2 years. If you experience autoimmune or hyperimmune states, it's important to keep your life calm and regulated to avoid the "flare ups." It's very hard to get out of these flare ups once they start. My daughter is due with her third baby in the next few weeks and I plan to be there for her. Thanks for this information packed video.

[@HopewellHeights]

Yes flare ups make life incredibly difficult!! Glad you are feeling better and congratulations on a new grandbaby!

[@LeighVanRooyen]

I had my 4th baby 2 years ago as I approached my 40s. It nearly killed me. I aste badly during pregnancy, I never got rest at all. I worked til the night before I delivered and was back at work post cesearean 10 days post birth working 6 days a week and doing all the night shift myself. Well...... I went instantly grey, aged overnight, lost clumps of hair, my while skins texture changed completely, never lost all the weight, and have aches and pains and chronic fatigue that I never had before. 2 yrs later I literally talk myself into putting one foot infront of the other and doing a days work and mom duties and home duties in a state of sheer exhaustion and I have no idea if I'll ever fully recover.

[@cadillac0516]

Thankyou for such an informative video! Would you be willing to do a what I eat in a day/week video to show what you’re actually eating on your nutrient dense diet? I feel like it will be so helpful for many of us that have similar symptoms..

[@HopewellHeights]

Yes I’ll add it to my list!

[@amberbalkom6944]

Thank you for all this insight! Please please please consider doing a vaccine video soon! Candace Owens first opened my eyes to vaccines & I would love your intake!

[@retrorenegade1967]

Taking notes ✍️ just gave birth to our first baby 11 days ago

[@theoddpath]

Midway through and im curious as a nurse if you took the V**ci*e? Some people noticed a change in health after as well and I know nurses were encouraged to get the jab

[@HopewellHeights]

Nope! I haven’t had any vaccines or antibiotics for over a decade!

[@sierrahurd2517]

It’s crazy how any woman with this experience gets told “it’s normal” but no one really connects the dots. With my first pregnancy I got super sick with preeclampsia then postpartum sepsis, lost 20 pounds then gained 40, and had AWFUL ppd. With my second I was in a better place mentally and physically. Not completely where I want to be but growing a lot of our own food and way more active and I had zero complications with my second. I’m so glad you talked about this!

[@Danae-uz8nt]

Thank you for sharing. I am a momma of 3 and stay at home mom as well. I just found your channel at the beginning of this year and it has been such a blessing to me. We also choose not to inject things into our children or ourselves. It’s been very eye opening how hateful others can be about this. But your channel and openness helps me continue that journey and helps with the isolation that comes with this lifestyle as a mom. Please never stop sharing.

[@saintamerican6105]

Much needed and I completely relate! Also, theres so many autoimmune healing & deliverance testimonies. Gluttony definitely opens the door to sickness. Stay prayed up Ladies and may God keep all sickness away

[@magen2271]

I needed this as my wake-up call to quit the grains for a time and when I start back to use ancient. I buy organic white ap flour plus organic old fashioned oats. I eat oatmeal almost every morning, make my own granola and top it on the oatmeal. I make sourdough bread and ferment my oatmeal. Before this new pregnancy I overall felt great but my weight loss from my last baby started to halt even before I found out I was pregnant with this baby. Now I am pregnant in my first trimester and I feel exhausted. I just need to make the big change and stop the wheat. I guess I’m afraid of changing things for my family too even though I know it’s potentially best for them. They love the oatmeal, breads, and homemade desserts. But just like they loved box cakes and I got them off that I can do this too. I just have to commit to the change. Thank you for sharing this.

[@HopewellHeights]

Right there with you!! My sister and I have been talking about this a lot lately, how when you make everything from scratch and use organic ingredients it’s really difficult to admit that that’s not good enough and can still be problematic!

[@meschouxpetits]

Right here with you, sis.

[@victoriafinley2360]

Love all your videos!! So informative. Could you please recommend books or research articles on the negative effects of vaccines. Trying to do more research and give my family hard facts about the negative effects…

[@Rsr994]

Oh my goodness! I love this. I have Sjogren’s and I’m working toward a diagnosis of RA - it’s miserable figuring out this stuff while juggling 4 kids + one on the way, which I know you know. I greatly appreciate that you’ve put in so much work researching this for us moms who aren’t quite as efficient with our time and dedicated to our health 🤣 I always love pregnancy because I lose most of my autoimmune symptoms. My skin normally breaks out in hives from UV, I get bursitis everywhere, cysts, ulcers, dry eye so bad it alters my vision, etc during a flare. Almost none of these things happen during pregnancy. I will absolutely be taking tips from this video. Thank you so much!

[@JessJ13]

Hi Steph, the antibiotics for group b strep positive mum's only being in usa is untrue. They give them here in the UK also, I was positive with my first and forced into have iv antibiotics it was Terrible and spiraled that birth and postpartum. I've had sibo when vegan 🥺 Thank you for this video, I've been eating much more flippantly than I use to. Also I have an 8 month old I free birthed,I was back out of bed 2 days pp and on my own 7 days pp looking after all four kids. We don't get the help or rest we need ok this world at all.xx

[@HopewellHeights]

So sad that abx are pushed on moms!

[@tinawall8360]

I believe the group b strep antibiotics are the cause of my hives. I got them 5 weeks pp and still have them bad every day 19 mo later. I have tried changing my diet and household products. Nothing has helped. I went through another pregnancy this time but didn't go into remission. I had an unassisted home birth. I am so thankful for no interventions. But I still get hives every day.

[@HopewellHeights]

Oh no!! Check out Dr. William Davis book Super Gut - you may need to reintroduce beneficial bacteria!

[@rosepistilli223]

I had a friend who struggled with chronic hives- they resolved after she cut out gluten entirely (even gluten contaminated foods)

[@kinseyjohnson4341]

During my second pregnancy and postpartum I realized something was really wrong with me. I went toy OB and the nurse brushed off my symptoms as it being summer, pregnant and taking care of a toddler. I didnt feel like myself physically or mentally. Thankfully my chiropractor suggested I go to a naturopath when her treatments weren't helping me. I had no idea that my heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, losing my eyelashes and eyebrows, weakness, body aches, stiffness and so much more were all related to having Lyme disease and the parasite called babesia from ticks. I found out that I had a current active infection as well as an old infection that I never had treated. I had no idea that my memory loss, difficulty concentrating, air hunger, barely being able to go up the stairs, as well as what I thought was postpartum depression but now I believe was neurological and psychological issues caused by my illness and so much more were all related to having Lyme disease and babesia. I have been treating it through my naturopath for 7 months and am not healed yet but much better. This is such an important topic to talk about. So many women go under the radar sick and unwell. Thank you for sharing your story and what normal should be!

[@Kelsiemarieanderson406]

I wish i had this video to refference before having 4 babies, i struggled so bad each time and had a week at the most to recover after each baby. I actually had no rest this last time my baby was preme in nicu via c section and i was still walking through the hospital every day to visit her, taking care of 3 kids with the help of my hubby but still alot of work. Showering and cleaning each day, idk why at this point. I had planned to rest because i knew a little of this information. No wonder why i struggle so bad post partum. No midwife or dr has ever even mentioned these to me and i hate that they try and jam antibitoics down our throats every time. Im proud to say though, that i have refused to vaccinate and can tell there is a clear difference. What is your opinion on detoxing heavy metals using zeolites and using the proper detox diet and protocals? Btw i am still struggling and she is 2 years old in sept! Managing what i eat isnt enough and i have all the signs of have high cirtisol levels. Btw you are so based, i love these when you share. ❤

[@LibertyHope95]

This is so helpful! I knew some of these things, but for the most part, my mind is blown! Haha we have cleaned up our diet as best we can with our current budget but we eat so many grains 😅 would love your meal ideas with less/no grains!

[@deirdrehyland229]

We just had a mom of a 4 month take her baby out in a boat in AZ. The baby died- 😢😢Women are so far removed from this natural process!! Keep these post coming!! ❤🙏🏻💪🏻

[@onyasonja1]

Thank you for this video 🙏🙏 this is the kind of information we need and that western medicine won’t tell us because medical schools have forgotten what health is

[@serenitymattingly]

I've been praying over my upcoming postpartum time and trying to prep as much as possible for the best possible outcome. I was asking Heavenly Father what my priorities should be and I keep getting back that my personal health should be my 1st priority and that it will fall into the other areas of my life. This was exactly what I needed to watch. Thank you!

[@ketovorecagles]

I would like a crash course of cloth diapering! There's so much out there that makes this so overwhelming and more steps than needed..?? I'm personally looking into cloth diapering and would love your chat on how to start, best ones, washing, stripping, etc! Thank you for being real! Im a nurse that's a stay home momma as well! 😊

[@caitlinmenger8716]

A fountain on information and passionate research. Well done. Love your channel so much!

[@unicornXvendetta]

Okay, but what if this all happens while you’re pregnant? I’ve had fibromyalgia since I was 19, which I treat really successfully holistically, and usually it get better when I’m pregnant. I’m currently pregnant with baby #4, still doing everything I can to stay healthy, and I’m MISERABLE. I haven’t flared this bad since before my first was born. But all my labs are normal. I just can barely function with the exhaustion and brain fog and joint pain right now. ETA: I’m also an RN that let my license lapse after my first was born during Covid. I haven’t gone back, I’m just starting home raising my babies.

[@caseypie]

Thank you for this video! Could you share a what you eat in a week video or maybe write a meal plan? 6 weeks pp and would like to know how to eat this way without having to worry about negatively affecting supply

[@HopewellHeights]

I’m eating pretty much the same things every day bc that’s super manageable for me, and honestly that’s how I lived for years and it worked. Every week I slow roast a couple of roasts and a whole chicken then I make broths with the carcasses and bones and use the meats to make brothy soups loaded with onion, garlic, carrots, leeks, and peas (these are the veggies that I do well with). I use lots of good salt and herbs so the soups are very flavorful. I also eat lots of berries, melons, and pitted fruits which I can handle well. I do kraut and L. Reuteri yogurt daily. I can handle coffee currently so I have a bulletproof coffee every morning. When I can tolerate eggs again and ll add those back into my diet.

[@madisonscroggins3549]

I’ve had tremendous results and success on the carnivore diet. I use to be able to eat anything and everything and not have any issues(so I thought)… my husband actually had horrible gut issues, brain fog, fatigue, joint pains, cystic acne, and so on… I started trying to figure out what was causing his flare ups. I was more.. extreme.. we did beef, salt(for taste and electrolytes), and water for 30/40days.. then slowing added other meats in(nothing processed or that would have seasonings).. then did individual seasonings and we gave days sometimes weeks before trying or adding in a new food once we got to plant stuff.. I learned that I can have as much pepper on my eggs as I want.. my husband was a different story lol. If you dusted the cap off on his eggs he would have heart burn from the little amount. Broccoli.. I can’t do it no matter how I cook it, I always have bloat.. we figured out what we can and cannot have and now we eat more “keto-vore” keto carnivore. I went through a stressful time which caused my health to decline with lymes flare up.. I went back to strict carnivore and put my lymes in remission and then after a few months was able to reincorporate foods my body is more tolerable of. We are all going to die someday so I’m not dogmatic with things.. I like a cookie or ice cream but in moderation and I know when I’ve had too much. Also.. sometimes things are spiritual.. God says we ARE healed.. so sometimes we have spiritually opened a door to things that cause our health or life to decline. Dr. Henry Wright talks about this and Andrew wommack.. Dan Mohler..

[@edwardpalmer8732]

I dont like carbs but after baby number 4 i could not rest and started eating carbs and drinking tea or coffee. Its a year later and im trying to eat mostly meat, dairy and veggies i grow. Ive ditched the tea for flavored water and cut down on coffee which i make with just some milk. The kids are adjusting just fine

[@GridIronHillFarm]

My husband and I do periods of eating meat-based/carnivore throughout the year. It’s such a fantastic reset to help us get away from grains and sugars.

[@ssnure111]

Love these types of videos. Feels like sitting down chatting with a like-minded woman! Thanks for taking the time to put this together.

[@MJM194]

I really really appreciate you sharing your experiences and opinions on your channel! I would really love to see how you make that specific yogurt. I would also love to hear more about the vitamin k shot and vaccines etc. I’m having my first baby soon and it’s hard to find information on controversial topics like this online.

[@thebacas865]

Thank you for making this video! I needed this 2 years ago. I’m currently on an extreme elimination diet (carnivore) to help with the inflammation. Please share a day in the life of what you are eating during this time that you have cut back on a number of ingredients. It would also be helpful to address how to make that yogurt you spoke about in the video as well as the eikorn starter.

[@shelbywood8259]

My 2nd is 18 months old and I’m still feeling the pain of a stressful postpartum, the brain fog is horrible and losing weight has been so difficult this time around, the fatigue is a lot as well, just like you said forcing myself to put one foot in front of the other! Saw the doctor last week and my thyroid labs… completely normal, I almost cried. So no farther options at this time, just follow up if you’re still feeling bad! I’m going to work harder on my diet! I try very hard to diet and exercise but could cut out some more processed foods for sure! Thank you so much for your video!!

[@beans4853]

Go to a functional health Dr or someone who will look at your entire body, not just thyroid labs. See if you can find someone in your area, they can really help find the underlying cause which standard Dr's don't really care about

[@amyclausen8344]

Praying for your healing! I'm in horrible shape 9mths PP. You had me in tears because I have every symptom you mentioned plus more. It's awful and doctors aren't helping. "It's normal" or "keep exercising". I'm going to have to heal myself. Would love a part two on your diet and supplements ect! I have a question for the vaccination video! Lol I'm really considering discontinuing vaccinations for my 4yr old and 9mth old. I'm just scared. I'm scared of vaccinating and not vaccinating. What if there were an outbreak of whatever we vaccinate against? I don't want to vaccinate to be clear. I promise im not attacking. I just need help to understand and feel better about making that call. I adore you and I'm so thankful for everything I have learned from you! From finally mastering sourdough starter and making yummy things with it and all the other meals and now to my health! You have taught me so much and it's always consistently wonderful. Thank you!

[@trinitybell945]

I agree with the comment about loving these sit down videos, I have no wise council from women who chose similar paths as you & I and truly feel like your a big sis to me! -trinity bell gainesville fl

[@HopewellHeights]

Aww I’m so glad you’re enjoying these, they are actually my favorite kind of video to film!

[@RNmamaP]

Hi Steph! Do John and your children eat the same things that you do now that you’ve altered your diet?? Or do you make different things? Picky toddler and husband here, not sure how I’d ever get them to go for this. Especially the toddler!! Got sick from raw milk (unfortunately) a few months back and it did a number on my gut health. I know this diet would heal it but trying to navigate how I would do it practically!

[@jannie271]

i love love love how you adressed al the important topics so truthfully! Also about de the food, inflamination and auto imuum part! I thought, maybe you can tell uss what things you have implemented in this last or latst post partum periods that have helped you? Who did you ask from, who gave you meals? How to handle toddler tantrums when pregnant, post partum when you are very tired etc. You have had allot experience and different age kids! Love youre vlogs, keep up the good work and greets from Germany!

[@WoochiRanch]

Can’t wait to see your recipes for this diet change! Let’s do it!

[@HopewellHeights]

I’m excited to round out my blog with these kinds of recipes!

[@lizaguy307]

What a GREAT video!! So informative and just in time !! THANK YOU !! I need to learn how to make that yogurt ❤

[@juliaroos8507]

Thank you so much for this video. Do you think legumes are problematic for gut health? For example: black beans, split green peas, chickpeas, lentils. Thank you!

[@patriciakoester1580]

Love all your content!! Hoping you feel grest soon 🙏♥️🙏 Patricia

[@HopewellHeights]

Thank you! ❤️

[@AdoptedDaughterofJesus]

Jesus is God Jehovah manifest in the flesh they arent 2 seperate beings. Its one God not 3. We made in His image, Body soul Spirit

[@marshawager5989]

Please continue your talks and your everything! I want this way for myself so badly! My three boys are all grown up with my youngest being 20. But, I believe this must be so important no matter the stage of life. Thankyou

[@havenssportandag]

Exactly what I needed to hear. I knew all of this but why is it so hard to make the changes 😅

[@HopewellHeights]

It is so hard to make the mental shift and take the first steps in getting serious about dietary changes! 😬

[@Kt11.1]

Please post your gbs on your website. I don’t have instagram

[@ebonyrivera11]

Thank you for making this video. I have been making so many changes since starting sourdough back in November and everything you explained I was feeling and I was feeling like I was crazy! I felt horrible horrible horrible so exhausted and brain fog so bad I could honestly cry. Recently implemented some changes and supplements that have helped significantly but you’re completely right about the grains. It’s super hard to ditch them for myself and my family but I can at least start with myself and then make changes to the family. I remember after having my first son it was a smack of reality in post partum. I said so many times how have women been doing this all these years and no one has ever talked about this. I felt so alone in post partum.

[@katebriguglio3825]

I would love to see what you eat in a day using these guidelines. I appreciate this video so much!

[@maritzamendoza4317]

Love this video. So many points hit home. I did way too much postpartum and it caught up. Physically I was able but it’s such a sacred time with baby and mom and people forget how much mom is going through during these times.

[@beans4853]

If I do too much, my stitches start throbbing and my uterus starts cramping and though it's uncomfortable, I'm thankful to my body for telling me to slow down

[@Bearthowlemew]

Adding sugar to coffee- what about mappe syrup or honey?

[@ambercaldwell1500]

Can I ask couple questions ……I been trying in ways to switch over to fresh fruit and veggies, fresh beef a while now, fresh eggs, I need to check out raw milk and raw cheese……I make kraut but I may try the other stuff too! Thank you for the video I’ve struggled for years……my one question…..I like creamy and little sweet coffee…..what would you recommend me use? All Grains would be breads, rice, tortillas, pasta??? Can you link videos if you have them of Homemade yogurt and keifer And even kraut (just curious)

[@happyhealthyhavenlyhome]

My favorite coffee recipe is raw milk with a scoop of mt capra hot cocoa collagen powder. The collagen and extra minerals has helped me so much postpartum! You could always use organic heavy cream if you haven't found a good raw dairy yet. Coconut cream with maple syrup is also super yummy!

[@HopewellHeights]

Yes to this! Things like heavy cream, egg yolk, a bit of honey or maple syrup, and collagen powder are so great in coffee!

[@ambercaldwell1500]

Thank you both!

[@Speakup117]

I love the angle you recorded at too, sometimes when the frame is too close to faces I feel like I can't pull away from the screen 😅❤

[@HopewellHeights]

Haha yes I’m getting better at this, I need to set my office up for recording!

[@beckyjudd4844]

What about canned vegetables? Like carrots and beets? They technically have a label but are just in light salt water?

[@katieyungen1647]

Oh this makes so much sense, explains what has happened to me after every birth!!

[@TaraRauen]

*Thank you for sharing. Any tips on finding an indoor type gym to exercise with a baby? I do not want to put my baby in child care, and find it so hard and not very enjoyable working out at home. Really miss the gym during fall-spring months. Everywhere I look is 12-14yrs old and older...*

[@HopewellHeights]

Some CrossFit gyms have open play areas for little ones. I also don’t care for home workouts but I will do them if that’s all I’ve got. Fortunately we have a local gym we go to that has had the same lady running their childcare area for over 10 years! My kids all adore her and I’m beyond grateful to be able to trust them with her for an hour while I get a workout it! It’s also a semi-open play area tho - so they are never behind closed doors with anyone but me - I’m pretty strict about that!

[@TaraRauen]

Thank you! Never behind closed doors is also important to me. I will call around to the crossfit gyms. @@HopewellHeights

[@TaneshaSunflower]

I learned so much in the video 🥹

[@ThisMamasFaith]

I was doing laundry the DAY I gave birth with my 4th 🤦🏻‍♀️ I do think you will have your chance at 40 days of rest! Your daughter is getting older and will be a fabulous help. I am soooo thankful God blessed me with two daughters as my oldests

[@daughterofthemosthigh6869]

Please give us advice on gallstones and thoughts of gallbladder removal. 11 weeks pregnant with our 7th baby and having a lot of pain in my upper right side of my abdomen and it’s going around to my back. I’m worried about having a surgery to remove a necessary organ but the pain at times is so much.

[@priscillaharmsen6457]

Hello, you may want to check out Chanca Piedra “stone breaker.” It’s plant medicine. My mother has used it to help get rid of kidney stones as well as family friends for both gallbladder and kidney ailments. Also look into risks and benefits of using during pregnancy. Hope this helps in some way. Much love

[@AussieAngeS]

I have 2 kids, one is 20 and the other is 4 and I remember being a mess with my hormones crying for nothing and about everything after I had my 2nd child. Hormones are no joke and mum guilt consumes postpartum over the smallest little things..it did for me anyway. You look beautiful by the way 3.5 months postpartum 🥰

[@HopewellHeights]

Yep those pp hormonal shifts are not to be underestimated!

[@mjkiohtrd1234z]

Great video! Has this way of eating impacted your milk supply at all? 9 weeks postpartum and concerned about this. Thanks!!

[@HopewellHeights]

Not a bit!! I’m not restricting calories tho - taking in about 2250 a day!

[@ronb4305]

Wow, thank you! The postpartum health decline information was very informative to me I have been very strict with grains since late 2018, especially wheat. I found that wheat causes very dark thoughts for me, amongst other issues. And I’m excited that you are making L. Reuteri yogurt. I happened to start a batch this morning. For anyone who might be interested in Sibo and Sifo, or just learn more about healing the gut, maybe search for Dr William Davis here on KZbin. There’s plenty of interviews. He’s also got book called Supergut. And there’s lots of videos on how to make the L. Reuteri yogurt. Good health, everyone

[@HopewellHeights]

Yess love Dr. Davis!!

[@Fawn62312]

This was great! I love learning how the body works.

[@maryclairetosques7551]

Love these woman to woman chats! Thank you.

[@KathleenBottrell]

I am absolutely loving your most recent videos, especially those that are long form. I am a Mum of two and I have just started to feel rather full 1 year postpartum. I am very aware of all the information you just shared, but as you also experienced, I haven’t been following these guidelines for good health. I know that I need to do a strict cleanse, just meat, eggs and butter for a short time. I have done it before and I felt great, but it does take a lot of will power. Thank you for sharing this video, I have found it extremely motivating and it has served as a helpful reminder 🤍 Thank you 🙏🏽

[@HopewellHeights]

The willpower piece can be so tough when you’re in the thick of a trying postpartum or have a couple of little ones needing attention! Grains, modern wheat in particular - actually bind to the opiate receptors in the brain and give a temporary high and stress/pain relief that way. But like opiates, they are also addicting and can cloud judgement to make us incapable of recognizing the addiction for what it is and it just leads to this emotional eating addiction cycle that can seem impossible to break, and this can happen even with limited modern wheat consumption!

[@Jess.E.17]

Lisa Hendrickson-Jack and Lily Nichols should be household names for anything fertility/pregnancy nutrition related

[@HopewellHeights]

Yessss!!!

[@biancacraig118]

I was hoping you'd do a video like this, thank you for sharing your knowledge! I respect and admire you as a person and have learned so much from you already and would LOVE your opinion on something, it would be a blessing to me. I'm 32 years old and had my first son at the age of 30. I had a wonderful pregnancy but was on BP medicine since even before pregnancy so was taking low dose aspirin as directed by gyno. I was induced and labored for 48 hours and had vaginal birth. So I didn't sleep much for the 2 days in the hospital and then was an anxiety ridden mess for the 3 days after. I ended up having post labor preeclampsia 5 days after delivery and was back in the hospital for 2 days to be monitored. About 12 months after birth, I was diagnosed with adenomyosis (gyno called it the evil cousin of endometriosis). I want a second baby so badly but am honestly scared because the preeclampsia scared me so much. I'm trying to lose weight and eat healthy and it's been motivating me to be healthy bc of my desire for another baby. I would appreciate ANY advice you have for me on how to potentially prevent preeclampsia in the future bc I want to be healthy for my family of course. You're a blessing in my life, thank you for all the content you share with us! ❤️

[@HopewellHeights]

Hi! Pre-eclampsia can absolutely be prevented and high bo can be lowered naturally! Following the steps I listed in the description, especially grain + added sugar removal and getting 1 gram of protein daily per lb ideal body weight should give you really good results within a week or two and then you’d know you’re on the right track!

[@biancacraig118]

​@@HopewellHeightsthank you so much for taking the time to reply to me, you're a blessing, thank you! I will definitely follow all your recommendations and this helps give me things I can do today and every day to help my future self from sickness! God bless you!

[@KenzieLynae]

I am very convicted! Thank you!

[@PassionatelyParis]

I really appreciate your insight and admire the research you have done on all of the topics you share on your channel. As a mother of 6 and also a nurse (though no longer practicing) your channel resonates with me on many levels. One thought I would like to share is regarding a biblical perspective to diet. Think back to the very beginning of human existence. God placed Adam and Eve in a garden. They were to eat of the produce of this garden, most likely predominantly fruit, nuts and possibly some vegetables also. Animals were not food until after the fall when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Animal foods (and grains as well) were given as a curse to mankind. Carbs in themselves are not bad. Our brain runs on carbs. If we choose unprocessed, whole food carbs to nourish our body and brains (fruit) we are able to find increased health.

[@CharlotteKenny-l2c]

**chicken skin** it’s called KP or Keratosis Pilaris. I have always had this slightly but three months postpartum it took over my body, covering my legs, arms and now face. No doctor, skin specialist, dermatologist would help me. I’m now seeing a naturopath and hope to get some resolve. Thank you for these incredible videos. Bless you x

[@rori1895]

Thank you so much for this video 🙏🏻 My whole pregnancy with my second one was so difficult (almost all of the symptoms there are were crushing me one by one, plus incredibly itchy skin). Now I'm 3 months postpartum and I've learned that I'm severely anemic (iron deficiency), somehow I caught pneumonia (was dragging it for a while cause I didn't know) and itchy skin still persistent. Also I'm sweating like little pig. I am totally exhausted, physically and mentally 😵‍💫

[@brittanyberrierhair3123]

What advice would you give to those still seeking medical attention from a hospital whom wish to decline vaccines during pregnancy? Would also love to know your advice one how to decline a glucose test especially if they eat a heavy animal based diet with little to no sugar. ❤ Thank you!

[@melissafriedrichs4716]

I told my OB that I didn't want to do the glucose test because I eat pretty low carbohydrate and I wanted to have more than just a snapshot of how my blood sugar was doing. I asked for either a continuous glucose monitor or finger stick blood glucose meter. She allowed me to and I chose the finger stick because it was significantly cheaper. It's great because it helps you see which foods raise your blood sugar more or less

[@brittanyberrierhair3123]

@@melissafriedrichs4716 Thank you so much for this information. How long did you have to do the finger prick testing?

[@melissafriedrichs4716]

@@brittanyberrierhair3123 I have been doing it for a couple of weeks and I am 18 weeks. I think I will be doing it for a month and then maybe again later on in the pregnancy. I don't really know. I don't mind though, it's cheap, easy and pretty educational to learn how certain foods affect my blood sugar. I also record what I ate before each test so I can correlate.

[@rebekahbaker6725]

Love this video! You may have already touched on this, but I would love a chat on horomones and how to balance them naturally. Having PCOS, I've been blessed to have 4 beautiful babies, but the side effects of the medication are so tough on my GI tract. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

[@chelseac0126]

I have a question about the raw milk. Would you suggest not even consuming raw milk if the cow is fed organic grain at milking? It’s so hard where I’m at to find a completely grass fed only raw milk dairy. Most are giving them some grain at the time of milking. And the girl I use is local and only gives organic grain at milking but I’m still worried to drink it. What are your thoughts???

[@ShellyStephen]

I watch a lot of your videos and you eat a lot of bread, and rich foods you also use a lot of butter. Unfortunately I can’t afford pasture raised, and organic foods. Even if I’m buying all Whole Foods, it’s the regular stuff. All I have where I live near me is traditional supermarkets. Also can’t afford high-quality supplements basically taking the basic. So I’m thinking I should focus getting my vitamins from my food. Also taking black seed oil. I don’t usually eat a lot of bread I make my bread mostly for my children. So where I get my added sugar from is baked sweets and in my coffee and tea, which I drink multiple cups a day. So what should I replace organic sugar with?