That isn’t to say that postpartum recovery will be without challenges. It’s natural to feel as if your body isn’t healing as quickly as you’d want. Remember that the more you can relax and allow your body to recover correctly, the better.
Your hormones change as quickly as they did after that positive pregnancy test, and they change again as soon as your baby is born. Here’s what happens to your hormones after giving birth, from a few hours to a few months.
Our bodies create large levels of oestrogen and progesterone as pregnancy continues. These two steroidal hormones are necessary for the production of dopamine and serotonin, two neurotransmitters in the brain that are vital for feeling calm and joyful. This is why many pregnant ladies feel fantastic: Pregnancy releases a flood of hormones and neurotransmitters that make us feel wonderful.
But, once your kid is born, what happens to those happy pregnancy hormones? The intense feelings you’ll experience after giving birth are due to these drastically fluctuating hormones. Here’s a closer look at what happens to your hormones after you give birth, and when it happens, so you know what to expect—and that the crazy emotions you’re experiencing are entirely normal.
What Happens to Hormones Right After a Baby Is Born?
One of the most joyous times in your life is the birth of your darling bundle of joy. You’ll likely feel a fantastic, inexplicable high when you meet your kid for the first time, or shortly thereafter, regardless of how long you labor or what time you give birth—yes, even if it’s at 3 a.m. However, during the next three days, those soaring hormones will decrease. What’s going on is this:
As soon as the baby and placenta are delivered, progesterone and oestrogen levels drop.
To compensate for the first decreases in progesterone and oestrogen, oxytocin surges shortly after birth. This hormone is responsible for your strong maternal instincts, but you’ll probably still have some “baby blues” in the first few days after giving birth when the oxytocin leaves your system.
Prolactin levels rise to boost the production of breast milk.
3 to 6 Weeks Postpartum Hormones
As you get into the swing of caring for the baby and adjusting to the lack of sleep after those first few weeks, you may notice that your rollercoaster emotions begin to settle down a little. The first three months, according to Ashley Margeson, a naturopathic doctor, are a tornado of sleep loss and emotions since your system relies heavily on adrenaline to get you through the day.
As those happy postpartum hormones fade, she explains, signs of postpartum depression may appear around the six-week mark. Not wanting to shower or focus on hygiene, being afraid of leaving your baby with someone else, not being able to sleep fully due to constantly checking on baby, and a lack of desire for common tasks such as eating, drinking, being around people, and leaving the house are all things to keep an eye out for.
3 Months Postpartum Hormones
You’ve probably established a routine for the infant by three months following birth. However, three months after giving birth, your hormones are still working hard to return to normal. Your hormones begin to readjust to pre-pregnancy levels around two to three months after delivery, according to Shah. Cortisol, on the other hand, is frequently elevated as a result of the numerous new stressors that come with having a small child. In addition, lack of sleep causes melatonin levels to drop (and, as a result, serotonin). These hormonal changes after childbirth can occasionally have a negative impact on mood.
6 Months Postpartum Hormones
The decrease in the hormone prolactin, which is the milk-making hormone, is the most significant alteration in your hormones after six months postpartum. This hormone remains high during breastfeeding, but it will decrease as your infant is introduced to solid foods and weaned. Even if you continue to breastfeed after six months, your baby’s milk need will most likely be fairly managed by this time, meaning there will be no excess demand for milk production like there was during those early growth spurts.
If you’re exclusively nursing, however, your postpartum hormone fluctuations may differ from those of formula-feeding mothers at six months. Hormone levels are lowered for a longer time in breastfeeding moms.
When Do Postpartum Hormones Return to Pre-Pregnancy Levels?
When your hormones return to normal, six months after giving birth is a decent estimate. This is also when many women experience their first postpartum period, which is no coincidence, according to Shah. Postpartum hormonal alterations in oestrogen and progesterone should be back to pre-pregnancy levels by six months. Your hormones may have begun to cycle, resulting in the start of menses.
What Are the Symptoms of a Hormonal Discord?
- Our hormones can become a little out of whack during pregnancy and childbirth. In these situations, we may require assistance to get back on track.
- Anxiety and sadness are two conditions that affect people.
- Libido is a term used to describe a person’s sexual desire
- Gaining weight
- Fibroids or cysts
- Fatigue that lasts a long time
The thyroid is one of the most prevalent postpartum hormonal abnormalities. Thyroid disorders might affect up to 10% of women after giving birth. The majority of the time, these issues will go away on their own, but your doctor may decide to put you on medicine to assist control your hormones.
And if you had a hormone imbalance before becoming pregnant, it’s likely to resurface once the pregnancy hormones have gone off. If a woman has a history of a hormonal imbalance, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, it is possible that it will return after delivery and should be treated as it was before she became pregnant.
Recovering
It might be tough to return to normal after the birth of a kid, especially if you’re a new mother. While caring for your child is essential, you must also care for yourself.
For at least the first six weeks after giving birth, most new mothers do not return to work. This gives you time to adjust and create a new normal. You may have sleepless evenings since a baby has to be fed and changed frequently. It can be aggravating and exhausting. The good thing is that you’ll get into a routine eventually. In the meanwhile, here are some things you can do to make the move go more smoothly:
- Get a good night’s sleep. Get as much sleep as possible to combat weariness and fatigue. It’s possible that your baby will need to be fed every two to three hours. Sleep when your baby sleeps to ensure you get enough rest.
- Seek assistance. During the postpartum period, don’t be afraid to accept help from family and friends. Your body requires rest, and practical aid around the house can assist you in getting that rest. Friends or family members can help with meal preparation, errand running, or monitoring of the other youngsters in the house.
- Consume nutritious foods. Maintain a well-balanced diet to help recuperation. Incorporate more whole grains, veggies, fruits, and protein into your diet. Increase your fluid intake, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
- Get some exercise. When it’s safe to exercise, your doctor will tell you. It should not be a strenuous exercise. Take a tour around your neighborhood. A change of location is energizing and might help you feel more energized
Our Take
Request a referral from your doctor. Finding help for an emotional wellness issue can also help you with your care. Ascertain that you are in the care of Safe Hands.
We provide Personalized, Class Leading Care Taker Services for specialized cases like:
- Normal Baby Care
- Twin Baby Care
- Premature Baby Care
- Low Weight Baby Care
- Mother Care
Disclaimer: This website’s content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Such information is provided solely for educational purposes and is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a doctor or qualified health care professional.
Get more information by visiting www.doyacare.com
