A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Health [Paperback]

Dean Raffelock (Author), Robert Rountree (Collaborator), Virginia Hopkins (Contributor)

Book Description

Release date: January 6, 2003

Having a baby can and should be one of the most joyful experiences of a woman's life. While there are hundreds of books that provide information on how to ensure the development of a healthy baby, few of them dedicate more than a few pages to the nourishment of the mother herself during this physically and emotionally demanding time. It is rarely discussed, but women commonly experience a wide variety of ailments during the postpartum period, from depression to anxiety, backache, and loss of libido.

A Natural Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Health is the first book by physicians that is devoted entirely to telling women how they can prevent postpartum problems and attain optimum health after the delivery of their babies. Elements of the program, which is meant to be adopted during-or, if possible, before-pregnancy, include diet, nutritional supplementation, exercise, hormone-balancing, the use of medicinal herbs, and conventional medications. Developed by the authors in clinical practice, this program has a proven track record in helping women to avoid and overcome postpartum difficulties.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dean Raffelock is a doctor of chiropractic, a diplomate in acupuncture and applied kinesiology, and a certified clinical nutritionist. He has a special interest in helping mothers to recover their lost nutritional reserves after giving birth, thus preventing and resolving many postpartum disorders.
Robert Rountree, M.D., is a board-certified practitioner of family medicine who has done extensive postgraduate work in nutritional and herbal pharmacology. His practice incorporates traditional family medicine, nutrition, herbology, and mind-body therapy. Dr. Rountree is also a certified master practitioner of neurolinguistic programming.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Avery Trade (January 6, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583331387
• ISBN-13: 978-1583331385
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #296,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST READ FOR NEW MOMS...You too can avoid PPD! March 4, 2003

By Tracy Abbott

Format:Paperback

I consider myself one of the luckiest moms on earth that I got turned onto a healthy nutrient track when I was pregnant and for my post partum recovery. And I'm not talking about the blah, blah, blah healthy stuff.. The stuff we all know..eat right, exercise, etc...that stuff has been written about for years..from banal REader's Digest to Oprah Late At Night. What I'm talking about is the alternative, cutting edge stuff. Like replacing some of the lost omega-3 oils DHA and EPA which I leared awhile ago is downright stolen by the baby from the mom during pregnancy. And I made it my business to supplement my pregnancy and post pregnancy with the right nutrients so that I could avoid Post Partum depression with my new baby. I should say, avoid PPD without Prozac. Well, now new moms are lucky because everything I learned from various sources and vaious experts are now in ONE book. This is a one stop shop for any new mom who wants to take care of her body while taking care of her new baby. Raffelock and Roundtree have really answered any question I had and any new mom who might ask "what's happening to me?" Or things like, "Why is my skin so dry?" "Why am I forgetful?" And more importantly... "How can I fix it?"
This information is invaluable. ... But, if you follow some of the steps in this book, you can find some of the good nutrients at local health food stores. The key is the right items in the right amounts.
Personally, I think Prozac or as I call it, "Vitamin P" is being handed out way too easily and new moms have so much going on with their bodies that I would rather see nutrition be supplemented before jumping on Vitamin P.

This book must be read by all new moms!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Avoiding PostPartum Problems - a Novel Idea March 9, 2003

By Robert Sager

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a must read book for every pregnant mother, every new mother, every mother who developed chronic symptoms after a pregnancy, every spouse of one of these women, and anyone providing healthcare to pregnant or postpartum women. I have not seen any other book that deals so well with the many nutrient depletions and hormonal imbalances that pregnancy may cause in the mother and how to prevent or reverse them. Following the guidelines here for dietary changes, essential fatty acids, vitamin and mineral supplements, hormone balancing, amino acids and exercise could certainly prevent many of the very common problems in the postpartum period, such as depression, mood swings, fatigue, weight gain, and decreased libido. If these symptoms are not treated early, they often become chronic longstanding problems that many of my medical colleagues have then treated with all sorts of medications, especially Prozac. There is an excellent chapter on breastfeeding problems and remedies along with a discussion of what herbs are safe or unsafe during nursing. The many case stories remind me of real-life patients I have treated. I am keenly interested in neurotransmitter and hormone problems and after reading this book I have a greater understanding of the cause of these problems in mothers and will more effectively treat them.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Exhausted..depressed?Read this book for cause and resolution April 12, 2003

By Debra Williamson

Format:Paperback

This book is a must read for all mothers no matter when you had your last child! My son is now 25 years old and I suffered for most of two and one half decades from many of the symptoms described in this book related to postpartum nutrient depletions. Like so many mothers, my symptoms started shortly after I gave birth to my son but none of my doctors knew to check me for deficiencies in the nutrients that my body donated to form the body of my baby.

As I have worked through this book making changes at my own pace, the rewards have been recognizable and very profound. My skin and hair, once dry are more supple and healthy. My digestive system is vastly improved. My mind clear without anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs, and my hormone balance is greatly improved eliminating mood swings and fatigue.

This book tells wonderful stories of real patients that had symptoms they turned around by working to give their body what it needed instead of dumping more chemicals in causing their detoxification systems to work overtime to deal with those chemical/medicines. Even though the stories are about women and are around pregnancy much of each story relates to anyone trying to give their bodies what they need in this stress filled environment with soil depletion, over processed foods, and environmental toxins.

This book has a comprehensive list of all vitamins, minerals, hormones, and nutrients and what they do for your body and what happens when they are out of balance. It also explains what to look for if you want a qualified doctor, someone certified in functional medicine. It also explains what lab work is available and how to read the lab work.... If you are healthy and just want to give yourself the best chance to stay that way good recommendations are given on the best foods to eat and the most beneficial amounts and types of supplements needed to support this state of health.

If you don't know how to start there is a very easy to follow and clear plan on how to shop, prepare ahead and actually make healthy nutritious meals. There are even recipes included and suggestions on how to be creative. Spices and herbs are included not just for the taste quality but also for their actual health benefits.

I now know how important it is for all women to replenish their nutrient reserves after they give birth even if it is decades later! The information in this book inspires you to really take care of yourself! Read more ›

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Godsend for Expecting Mothers and Their Doctors! August 23, 2003

By Dr. David M. Brady

Format:Paperback

Drs. Dean Raffelock and Robert Rountree have truly produced a book that should be read by not only every expecting mother, but also by their doctors! If this were the case I firmly feel that the current horrific national epidemic of severe postpartum depression and infanticide that is all too commonly detailed on the evening news would be nothing more than a sad footnote in history. The current attempted solution, which is to simply give young mothers anti-depressant drugs, is clearly not working. Drs. Raffelock and Rountree construct this book in a clear and concise format so that the person with no medical or nutrition knowledge, or the highly trained physician, can equally benifit. The most current understanding of alterations in the nutritional, hormonal, and neurotransmitter status of new mothers is easily explained. Novel methods of diagnosing and treating these problems in the most non-invasive and supportive ways possible are clearly detailed in order for the woman to acheive a lasting and true recovery from the physiological stressors of pregnancy. It is obvious from reading this book that these two enlightened doctors are not only on the cutting-edge of knowledge in the fields of functional medicine and clinical nutrition, but they are also gifted clinicians who have compassion for their patients and have a passion for this grave public health issue. It is often said that medicine is not only a science, but an art. These doctors have produced a masterpiece. If it could only be read by every obstetrician in the country and if only there were more doctors who thought like them. Bravo!