Pre-Natal vs Post-Natal After Miscarriage
+ How to Nourish Both Body & Mind
Today I have a guest post from Jeanne Reilly, RDN, Co-Founder of I Am Nurtured. I have written about I Am Nurtured and their line of supplements, including prenatal vitamins. Today, I wanted to hear more on how to nourish your body & mind after miscarriage but I also had a question that has been weighing on my mind- After a miscarriage, is it better to take a pre-natal vitamin or a post-natal vitamin? Jeanne gets to this and more in today’s article!
Jeanne has also set up a special code for us, HOPEDESK15 for 15% off sitewide at www.iamnurtured.com
Allison
From Jeanne-
Experiencing a miscarriage is a loss that can feel isolating, overwhelming, and exhausting- physically, mentally, and emotionally. While there’s no magic fix to take away the pain, one of the most powerful ways you can support your healing is through nutrition. Your body has been through a lot, and giving it the right nutrients can help replenish what’s been depleted, regulate hormones, and restore energy levels.
If you’re walking through this, please know you’re not alone. Here are some simple ways you can nourish yourself in the days and weeks following a miscarriage.
1. Replenish Lost Nutrients
Pregnancy, even one that ends too soon, demands a lot from your body. Blood loss, hormonal shifts, and inflammation can all leave you feeling depleted. Focusing on key nutrients can help restore balance:
Iron – Blood loss can lead to low iron, making fatigue and dizziness worse. Grass-fed red meat, lentils, spinach, and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources. A well-absorbed iron supplement (like iron bisglycinate) or cooking in cast iron can also be helpful.
Vitamin B12 & Folate (Methylfolate, Not Folic Acid!) – These support red blood cell production and energy levels. Eggs, leafy greens, and a high-quality prenatal vitamin with methylfolate can help replenish stores.
Magnesium – Helps with muscle recovery, stress relief, and sleep. Found in dark chocolate (yes, really!), almonds, pumpkin seeds, and magnesium glycinate supplements.
Omega-3s (DHA & EPA) – Critical for reducing inflammation and supporting emotional well-being. Fatty fish like salmon and sardines are great sources, but a high-quality fish oil supplement is often necessary to meet needs.
Vitamin D – Helps regulate immune function and mood. In addition to getting daily sun exposure, a supplement can help maintain optimal levels.
Continue taking a high quality prenatal vitamin - your body still requires elevated levels of key nutrients for recovery. Ensure your prenatal has methylated/bioavailable forms of nutrients in effective doses. Selenium, Iodine, Choline, Magnesium, Iron, and Vitamin D are often included in such small amounts (or skipped altogether) in many prenatal supplements - check your labels.
2. Supporting Hormonal Balance
Hormones fluctuate dramatically after pregnancy loss. Nourishing your body with the right foods can support a smoother transition:
Healthy Fats – Avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds, and grass-fed butter help stabilize hormones and promote healing.
Protein – Meats, eggs, beans, and bone broth provide the amino acids needed to rebuild tissue and regulate blood sugar.
Cruciferous Vegetables – Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts support liver detoxification, helping your body metabolize shifting hormones more effectively.
3. Emotional & Mental Well-Being
The emotional toll of miscarriage is significant. Nutritional support can play a role in mood regulation, but it’s also important to acknowledge your grief and seek support.
Blood Sugar Balance – Avoiding blood sugar crashes can help stabilize mood. Focus on protein and fiber-rich meals and avoid excessive processed sugars.
Adaptogenic Herbs – Ashwagandha and rhodiola may help regulate stress hormones. Talk to a practitioner before adding any new herbs. *Ashwagandha is not recommended during pregnancy.
Hydration – Dehydration can worsen fatigue and mood swings. Infuse water with lemon, electrolytes, or herbal teas for added benefits.
Gentle Movement & Rest – Walking, stretching, or simply resting when needed can help your nervous system reset.
4. Healing the Gut & Inflammation
Inflammation rises after pregnancy loss, and your gut health plays a role in immune recovery and mental well-being.
Collagen & Bone Broth – Supports gut lining repair and provides essential amino acids for recovery.
Fermented Foods – Kefir, sauerkraut, and yogurt provide probiotics that support digestion and immune health.
Turmeric & Ginger – Both have anti-inflammatory properties that may help with pain and healing.
5. Nutrition Supplementation for Recovery
Both prenatal and postnatal vitamins support recovery after miscarriage by replenishing essential nutrients. Prenatal vitamins provide higher levels of folate, iron, and vitamin D, while postnatal vitamins often include additional amounts of vitamin A, D, C choline, and selenium to aid in tissue repair, thyroid health, and overall recovery.
Whether you need this additional support from a postnatal or not should be based on individual health needs, the extent of nutrient depletion, and whether you plan to conceive again soon.
I Am Nurtured’s Postnatal+ is designed to complement the Prenatal vitamin you already take by providing this additional nutrient support and soothing botanicals for healing. We recommend continuing your prenatal vitamin after miscarriage and as long as you are trying to conceive, with the option to add Postnatal+ for extra recovery support for several months post-loss.
6. Giving Yourself Grace
Healing is not just about what you eat—it’s about how you care for yourself. Grief is exhausting. If you don’t have the energy to cook, keep it simple: smoothies, nourishing soups, and easy-to-digest meals can go a long way. Surround yourself with support, allow yourself to rest, and know that it’s okay to feel everything you’re feeling.
If you’re looking for additional guidance on supplements, hormone balance, or postpartum healing, we’re here to help. Please feel free to reach out to Jeanne at jeanne@iamnurtured.com or find more information on ideal nutrition support for fertility/pregnancy/postpartum at www.iamnurtured.com Whether or not you plan to conceive again, staying well-nourished supports long-term fertility and overall health.
Check out www.iamnurtured.com where Jeanne has set up a special code- HOPEDESK15 for 15% off sitewide.
*This article contains affiliate links, I appreciate your support of Miscarriage Hope Desk*
ABOUT Miscarriage Hope Desk (MHD)
How MHD offers support-
- our IG community is very active, if you are not following along, go here
- our free Facebook community continues to provide support, join here
- podcast (I'm still figuring out what it will look like in 2024, but search our content-rich archive!)
- online library & stories of hope
- Mentorship program (below)
Mentorship Program -
Our program is open and FREE!
We are looking for mentors to help accommodate our increased demand.
-> A Call for Mentors
Have you walked the path of miscarriage and feel like you are on the other side and ready to work with someone else in our community, 1:1? If you are interested, please email support@miscarriagehopedesk.com with the word "mentor" in the subject line for details.
-> Looking to be a Mentee?
If you would like to apply for a mentor, please email support@miscarriagehopedesk.com and I can send details on how to get connected with a mentor.
**Miscarriage Hope Desk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we appreciate the support of YOU our community in making our resources possible.**
🌿 Resources 🌿
Use the links below to help support the work we do at Miscarriage Hope Desk.
🌿 Pre & Post-Natals 🌿 RD-formulated prenatal supplements, here. They also have postnatal supplements, here. After a pregnancy loss, I recommend either continuing with a prenatal or considering a postnatal, to help replenish.
**CURRENTLY 25% OFF**
🌿 Meal Plans- Get a 2 week free trial of healthy, fertility-friendly meal plans, here.
🌿 Lab Testing- Visit Your Lab Work to see tests available (and please work with your doctor or other health professional on interpreting labwork!)
🌿 Supplements- Looking for high-quality, discounted supplements? I use Fullscript for high quality supplements for me and my husband (and recommend avoiding amazon for supplements).
Create an account to see sample fertility protocols for both you and your partner and make an order to have quality supplements delivered to your doorstep!
🌿 Temp Drop- Tracking your BBT (Basal Body Temperature) just got a whole lot easier. Click here for 20% off + free shipping.
🌿 Apollo Neuro- This is a tool I personally use to relax, unwind and help with a deeper sleep. Click here for details + 10% savings.
🌿 OOVA- This is the tool I use to track my progesterone & luteinizing (LH) hormone to better predict ovulation. Click here and use code MiscarriageHopeDesk for 10% off.
🌿 Proov- Provides an array of at-home fertility testing. The "Predict & Confirm" kist provides valuable LH & PdG (a urine metabolite of progesterone) information to help know when ovulation occurs. They also have individual tests specific to testing PdG & FSH (ovarian reserve). Use this link or code MHD to receive 20% off at checkout.
🌿 Venmo- Want to support the work we do here at Miscarriage Hope Desk? We appreciate your donations- https://venmo.com/miscarriagehopedesk
Requests? Email support@miscarriagehopedesk.com if you have requests for content, library articles or resources!