Postpartum Autoimmunity, Mindfulness over Medication?

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In Today's Issue:

🧬 Postpartum Autoimmune Disease Is Not Rare
🧠 The #1 Protective Factor Against Postpartum Depression? It’s Not What You Think.
🎂 Homemade Cakes, No Dyes, and a Whole Lot of Love🌟 SPOTLIGHT: In the Field, On Fire, and Lifting Others Along the Way

🧬 Postpartum Autoimmune Disease Is Not Rare

I didn’t know I had an autoimmune disease.

At first, it was subtle—some bloating, brain fog, fatigue. The kind of things we write off as “just postpartum.” I told myself it was nothing. I powered through.

Until I couldn’t anymore.

After my second baby, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. It was debilitating. I couldn’t leave the house before noon. I set up a nursing and diaper station outside the bathroom door because that’s where I spent most of my mornings—in pain, sick, and wondering what was happening to me.

But here’s the truth:
I didn’t suddenly get sick.
My body didn’t just break.
This was a slow progression—and it could’ve been prevented.

No one told me postpartum autoimmune disease was even a possibility. No one connected the dots. And when I finally started to heal—truly heal—through functional nutrition, nervous system regulation, trauma resolution, and detox pathways… Western providers told me it was impossible.

“You don’t heal autoimmune disease,” they said.

And yet—here I am.

Meanwhile, every Eastern medicine practitioner I’ve ever met has looked me in the eye and said:
“Of course you can heal.”
And high-fived me when I told them I did.

The research is starting to catch up. We now know that:
🔹 Up to 30% of women develop an autoimmune disorder within a year postpartum
🔹 Women are 3x more likely than men to develop autoimmunity
🔹 Most early symptoms mimic “normal” postpartum recovery—but they’re not normal

In this episode, I walk you through:

The root causes of postpartum autoimmunity
The signs to watch for (the ones we often miss)
The healing roadmap I used—and still use today
And the real-life hope we need more of in maternal care

🎧 Listen to: Postpartum Autoimmune Disorders—Spotting the Signs and Supporting Healing

This isn’t about blame or fear. It’s about opening our eyes to what’s really happening—and believing that healing is possible.

Let’s change the way we talk about postpartum care. Together.

Further Science Reading:

🧠 The #1 Protective Factor Against Postpartum Depression? It’s Not What You Think.

We spend a lot of time talking about what causes postpartum depression—nutrient depletion, lack of support, trauma, and so much more. But what about what protects women from it?

A new study just uncovered something powerful:
👉 Trait mindfulness is one of the strongest protective factors against postpartum depression.

Even more powerful than you might think.

This research analyzed nearly 600 postpartum women and found that mindfulness had a greater impact on depression outcomes than resilience or self-efficacy—two other traits also proven to buffer against mental health challenges.

Here’s what stood out:

🔹 Women with high mindfulness scores had significantly lower depression levels.
🔹 Mindfulness helped build resilience and self-efficacy, which then further protected against PPD.
🔹 The more mindful a woman was, the more likely she was to cope effectively—and the less likely she was to spiral into depression.

And here’s the kicker: These are traits. Which means they can be cultivated, taught, and practiced.

📊 36% of the variance in postpartum depression was predicted by trait mindfulness alone.

That’s huge.

But it gets better.

The researchers found that mindfulness leads to resilience, which then boosts self-efficacy—and this domino effect is what actually protects the brain from developing depression.

Want a tool that helps rewire the brain, reduce stress, improve mood, and build real-life coping strength postpartum?

🧘🏽‍♀️ Start with mindfulness.

You can use this insight right now:

Add mindfulness practices to your support plans.
Integrate breathwork, present-moment awareness, or even 5-minute meditations.
Talk to your clients about the mind-body connection—and how nurturing it supports healing.

💥 Bottom line: We have tools. And they work.

This study gives us another piece of the puzzle—a way to support emotional and mental health that’s evidence-backed and deeply human.

🧩 Dive into the study here:
Mindfulness, Resilience, and Self-Efficacy: Breaking Down the PPD Connection

Your clients don’t need to wait for another symptom to show up. You can start supporting them now—with science, compassion, and simple tools that make a massive difference.

🌟 SPOTLIGHT: Tenáj Ikner – Doula & Wellness Coach

If you’re not following Tenáj Ikner yet, let this be your sign. As a doula, wellness coach, and powerhouse educator, Tenaj is helping shift the way families experience pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. But she’s not just supporting parents—she’s training and mentoring other professionals to do the same.

Her work at Elevate Maternity is packed with wisdom, warmth, and that rare energy that makes you feel seen and supported from the very first conversation. She’s lighting up the world of birth work, and we’re here for it.

Go give her a follow, leave some love, and help us celebrate the people doing this powerful work.

✨ Follow: @elevatematernity
📣 Want to nominate someone amazing for our spotlight? Submit here

🎂 Homemade Cakes, No Dyes, and a Whole Lot of Love

My daughter just turned 9 last week (cue the proud mama tears), and in our house, birthday cakes are sacred. Not because they’re perfect Pinterest creations—but because my husband bakes every single one. It’s his thing. His love language. And it’s become a little family tradition we all look forward to.

But here’s the catch: we don’t do food dyes. Ever.

Artificial dyes just aren’t something we use in our home, especially when there are so many beautiful, nutrient-rich ways to color frosting naturally. I shared a peek of this on Instagram and it completely blew up, so I figured—why not share more of what we do right here?

Here’s how we color cakes the natural way, no sketchy ingredients required:

🌰 Brown – cocoa powder
🌿 Green – matcha powder
🥕 Orange – dehydrated carrots
❤️ Red – dehydrated beets
🫐 Purple/Blue – dehydrated blueberries
💛 Yellow – turmeric
🤍 White – coconut cream or cashew-based frosting (surprisingly rich and beautiful!)

We buy the veggies and fruits fresh, chop them, dehydrate them (until they’re totally dry—this is key!), and then grind them into a fine powder. They store perfectly in the freezer and we always have a stash ready for birthdays and holidays.

The best part? My kids love helping. They know exactly what goes into their cake. And somehow it just tastes… better when it’s made from real food and real love.

If you’re on your own journey of creating a home that feels aligned with your values—know that these small choices matter. They add up. They make memories.💛

Every week, I’m more amazed by the conversations happening here—the personal stories you share, the science you’re soaking in, and the impact you’re making in your communities. This work isn’t easy, but it’s powerful. Whether you’re diving into the research, baking dye-free cakes with your kids, or showing up for your clients in bold new ways… it all matters. Keep leading. Keep questioning. Keep showing up. I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

Talk soon,
Maranda Bower
CEO & Founder of Postpartum University®
www.PostpartumU.com

Current Ways You Can Work With Postpartum University®
🔔Sign up for the Postpartum Nutrition Certification Waitlist
🎒FREE Provider's Postpartum Nutrition Toolkit
🧠Perinatal Mental Health Certificate Training

🌟 New! Nominate a Postpartum Pro for the Spotlight

Postpartum Autoimmunity, Mindfulness over Medication?, You Asked & We Delivered!