In this article we tell you everything you need to know about how to support your 4th Trimester with Seed Cycling.
Let’s start by talking about those post-partum hormones. Progesterone drops off almost immediately after delivering the placenta while prolactin remains elevated. Your ovaries will not start creating progesterone again until your first menstrual cycle, which may create a temporary imbalance.
Hormones at three months postpartum are still working hard to get back to normal. Around two to three months postpartum, your hormones begin to reset to pre-pregnancy levels.
You will likely still experience postpartum hormonal changes - even months after your baby's birth.
And if you've experienced a hormone imbalance before pregnancy, there's a higher likelihood you'll experience it again once your pregnancy hormones have worn off.
Diet and nutrition go a long way to promote happy and healthy hormones, although a lot of the nutrition information can be confusing, overwhelming and contradictory, especially for post-partum mums. One simple and extremely effective way to support your 4th Trimester and breastfeeding is seed cycling.
Seed cycling post-partum can help you soften the post-partum emotional changes that can occur because of the huge hormone nose-dive.
What is seed cycling and how does it help with breastfeeding?
Seed cycling is a form of biohacking and balancing your hormones adding seeds to your nutritional food or snacks at different phases of your menstrual cycle. I like to describe biohacking as the practice of using nature and science to optimise your health.
Seed cycling involves consuming specific seeds at certain times during the month. There are four key seeds - flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds and they are all Hormonal Health Superfoods!
Nutrients are best absorbed through food and this is why seed cycling is so much more beneficially than just taking a multi-vitamin supplement.
How start Seed Cycling to support your 4th Trimester
Your menstrual cycle has returned:
During your Follicular phase, menstruation to ovulation (day 1-14) add The Seed Cycle Phase 1, a healthy blend of certified organic, omega 3 flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds to your meals or snacks during the first phase of the cycle to promote a healthy estrogen response. During this time your body is using estrogen to build up the lining in the uterus.
During Luteal phase (day 15-28) consume The Seed Cycle Phase 2 a blend of certified organic sesame and sunflower seeds. This combination of healthy seeds and supplements help support and promote the hormone progesterone. Progesterone is a calming hormone and eating sesame and sunflower seeds will support this hormone surge in the luteal phase (or after ovulation).
Your menstrual cycle has not returned because you are newly postpartum or breastfeeding:
This the really cool thing about seed cycling, you can eat the seeds based off the moons cycle and experience the healthy effects that seeds have on your body as well as mimicking a 28 day cycle.
Historical studies over time have shown that the lunar cycle (moon phases) can be used to regulate a woman's’ cycle and that the moon’s influence on our bodies can include things such as promoting the release of neurohormones, sex hormones and melatonin.
Rather than commencing our signature Phase 1 on the first day of your menstrual cycle, seed cycling can commence on the first day of a new moon cycle (lunar cycle). You would switch to Phase 2 on a full moon and continue consuming the blend until the next new moon.
Seed cycling for 4th Trimester Summary
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Eat 1 scoop of Phase 1 from a NEW moon to full moon or day 1-14 of your cycle if you are menstruating.
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Eat 1 scoop of Phase 2 from a FULL moon to new moon, or day 15-28 (after ovulation) if you have had return of your cycle.
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Enjoy the seeds in smoothies, on salads, in soup, try The Seed Cycle Bake Mixes or make one of our Seed Cycle Recipes.
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Do this each day for 3 months and see if you notice any differences in your mood, sleep, and or skin. If you are currently having a cycle you may notice your period becoming more regular, symptoms of PMS decreasing, clear skin, and an over all feeling of greater balance.
Women who have seed cycled post-partum have told us they have noticed:
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Little to no postpartum acne and my skin looks fuller and healthier.
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Sleeping better, apart from getting up for bub.
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Mood has been more stable.
- Midwifery and Lactation Services for the Canberra region and surrounds
- The home of trusted breastfeeding information, support and advocacy
Resources
https://www.momjunction.com/articles/flaxseed-breastfeeding-lactation-safety-benefits_00630869/
https://www.verywellfamily.com/foods-that-increase-breast-milk-supply-431598
https://theseedcycle.com.au/seed-cycling-during-pregnancy-and-post-partum/
https://drbrighten.com/seed-cycling-for-hormone-balance/
Please always seek advice from your health care practitioner before making any dietary changes.