The Role of Collagen in Postpartum Recovery (and Why Marine Collagen Is a Standout)

We talk all the time about just how amazing the female body is, especially relating to pregnancy and postpartum recovery (or at least the people in my life do!).

As someone who works a lot with people prior to, during and following their pregnancies, I see first hand the physical and mental challenges women face and overcome. The changes mums go through to their personal identity, physical appearance and the responsibilities in their life are huge and seemingly happen overnight which can be a lot to deal with. 

So before we deep dive any further, congratulations!

Maybe you’ve just had your bub or maybe you’re going through pregnancy (or maybe you’re just curious!). Whatever your story, congratulations on facing the challenges that come with pregnancy - from morning sickness to everything becoming that little bit harder to the mental challenges that can come with watching your body go through so many changes. 

Whatever it is, congratulations on finding even a little bit of time for you. 

Collagen is often spoken about for its benefits relating to hair, skin and nails, particularly when it comes to anti-ageing. However, what's often missed is the support it can offer you in your postpartum recovery.

During pregnancy, you may notice that your hair becomes thicker and more luscious. Maybe you were lucky enough to get the “pregnancy glow” to your skin or noticed your nails were growing faster than usual.

This all comes down to the increased collagen production we experience during pregnancy.

Did you know that during pregnancy, the collagen content of your uterus increases by up to 800% between the pre-pregnancy and full term stages?

And, on the flip side, in the 8 days following birth, 72% of that collagen disappears!

This is because during pregnancy, collagen helps to keep the mechanical strength of your uterus, allowing your body to make room for your baby while preparing your body for labour. However, the rapid drop of collagen within your body following pregnancy is what can lead to the hair loss and breakage everyone dreads, your skin feeling a little more clammy or your nails starting to thin and break.

Collagen is naturally produced by the body, and while dietary intake of collagen from food or supplements can help support this system, it cannot replace it completely. However, research has suggested collagen supplementation can help to improve collagen structures, including hair, skin and nails which could be particularly beneficial in postpartum recovery.

However, more than anything, having a healthy sleep routine (as much as you can as a new mum!) can make all the difference to your collagen production throughout postpartum recovery. While you’re sleeping, your body goes through a natural repair and recovery process, including collagen synthesis, to support muscle repair and skin cell regeneration. 

And yes, I know bub is probably waking up multiple times a night to feed and maybe a full night's sleep seems like a distant dream, but I never said you needed to be getting the “perfect” sleep. While getting the recommended 7-9 hours is ideal, it’s not necessarily realistic at this stage of life, so maximising the time you do get can make all the difference.

Incorporating a wind down routine into your day, a moment of calm to take a breath and be your own human can help prepare your body to rest and recover overnight, giving your body the chance to repair itself every way it knows how. Finding even a moment to yourself at the end of the day, whether it be to take a shower, curl up with your book or enjoy a nightly Beauty Sleep can help you unwind and maximise the time you do get to sleep. 

Because at the end of the day, you can’t pour from an empty cup, so taking even a moment to look after you can make all the difference to your day to day. 

Pairing both your physical and mental postpartum recovery, Beauty Sleep contains both the OG relaxing blend botanical and magnesium blend found in your favourite Moon Mylk alongside VERISOL® F Collagen, a clinically backed Marine Collagen with proven benefits including increased skin hydration, increased hair thickness and increased nail growth and strength. This combination of collagen and magnesium helps to enhance muscle repair and recovery overnight through supporting the natural collagen production occurring in your body, while promoting relaxation to help you get the best sleep possible. Plus, Nu Harvest's new Beauty Sleep formula contains 350mg of magnesium per serve, accounting for 90% of your RDI - a mineral that 1 in 3 Australians don't get enough of!

Postpartum recovery is one of the most individual experiences a female can go through, however, finding ways to physically and mentally support your body through its recovery while keeping your new bub alive is a universal experience.

While a collagen supplement isn’t a magic fix to completely avoid postpartum hair loss, skin or nail changes, it could help to support your natural collagen production so the drop isn’t quite as dramatic as you navigate your way through your postpartum recovery.

Because the female body really is amazing so why not support it in any way we can, just like it supports us through the beautiful (and challenging) moments of life. 

If you'd like to try Nu Harvest's Beauty Sleep Moon Mylk + Collagen all-in-one for yourself, you can use my code COURTNEYLAYTHAM to enjoy 15% off (along with the rest of their range of natural supplements!) Enjoy x