Hormonal changes after birth often catch new moms by surprise. This is the ultimate guide to understanding all the hormonal changes after birth you’ll likely encounter.
This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.
I’m a Mama of three and always dread the hormonal changes after birth. We women honestly can’t catch a break. The postpartum period, AKA fourth trimester, is filled with so many changes for new moms. You’re trying to adjust to life with a newborn, figuring out how you’ll ever sleep again, and your body is also recovering from pregnancy and childbirth. One of the biggest adjustments that you’ll encounter during postpartum is hormonal fluctuation.
Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and other hormones undergo massive shifts, affecting everything from your energy levels, mood, and even your libido. This post is going to be your guide to understanding how hormones impact your body and what you can do to manage the changes so you feel more in control during your postpartum recovery.
This post is all about hormonal changes after birth.
Impacted Hormones:
Estrogen and Progesterone:
It can take months for these hormones to balance during postpartum. During your pregnancy, your body’s estrogen and progesterone levels skyrocket to support your growing baby. After you give birth, these levels drop rather quickly. This can cause less than desirable physical and emotional symptoms. Main postpartum hormonal shifts result in fatigue, mood swings, and changes in skin (especially your face).
Estrogen: hormone that helps regulate your mood
Progesterone: known as “the pregnancy hormone” since it’s job is to maintain pregnancy by prepping the endometrium, decreasing myometrial contractions for implantation, and promoting gestation.
Prolactin and Oxytocin:
Prolactin: this hormone is produced if you decide to breastfeed by stimulating milk production. When this hormone is high, you can feel more emotional than normal.
Oxytocin: the “love hormone” AKA “why am I crying for no reason” hormone. It promotes feelings of calm and affection, helping to strengthen the bond with your newborn. The down side, with little sleep and higher stress, oxytocin can cause mood swings and heightened emotions.
Skin Changes:
Hormonal Acne:
Say goodbye to the beautiful “pregnancy glow”. Breakouts are extremely common due to hormonal fluctuations in estrogen, combined with increased levels of androgens (male hormones). These hormones can cause your oil glands to over produce, resulting in clogged pores and acne. The most common places are around the chin, jawline, and forehead. It’s awful but only temporary!
Stretch Marks:
The hormones corticosteroids and estrogen affect the skin’s elasticity. Your skin is stretched tightly during pregnancy and deflated during postpartum, often making stretch marks more pronounced. These marks may appear reddish or purple and gradually fade over time.
Dark Spots:
Melasma appears as dark spots or patches on the face, usually on the forehead, cheeks, and upper lip. This is due to increased melanin production during pregnancy, which is triggered by hormonal changes of elevated levels of estrogen and progesterone. This hyperpigmentation can last for months or even well over a year whether you’re breastfeeding or bottle feeding.
Postpartum Sweating:
Get ready to sweat…a lot. Night sweats can happen out of nowhere and often multiple times a night for days to a few weeks after childbirth. The drop in estrogen is a key factor in uncontrollable night sweats while your body tries to get rid of access fluid accumulated during pregnancy.
Return of the Period:
Ah, the annoyance of having a period again. Not having one during pregnancy is often one of mom’s favorite symptoms of being pregnant. Your period’s return is heavily influenced by hormonal changes as your body adjusts to life post-birth. For me personally, it took about 6 weeks for it to return with my first two babies (both boys) and 14 weeks with my third (a girl).
Prolactin: the hormone responsible for your milk production. When you breastfeed, prolactin levels are high, helping your body produce milk. High prolactin levels can suppress the hormones that trigger ovulation, delaying the return of menstruation, especially if breastfeeding.
Estrogen & Progesterone: these hormones take time to rise again after labor and delivery which is why the return of your period could take a few weeks to a few months to return.
Libido Changes:
Pregnancy was a battle but postpartum can be even more challenging, leading to the “don’t touch me” feelings that can last months after childbirth. Sex drive often times decreases due to physical recovery, emotional abilities, and the lovely hormonal shifts. Estrogen levels drop which can cause intense dryness making it unenjoyable to have intimacy with your partner. Not to worry though – you’ll get back to where you were in time!
Postpartum Depression:
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a mood disorder that can occur after childbirth or even during pregnancy. It involves feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety that can be short-term or long-term, often affecting your bond with your newborn baby. Hormonal, emotional, and physical changes after childbirth are the leading causes for PPD and by no means is a reflection of your ability to be an amazing mama.
Your OBGYN will evaluate you at your postpartum check-up (often 4-6 weeks after delivery) but never hesitate to reach out beforehand for advice or to be evaluated. Everyone wants you to feel supported and help!
Fatigue:
Just when you thought you were over the pregnancy fatigue, it hits full force again during postpartum. It will likely be at it’s worse the first few weeks after labor and delivery and you’ll feel almost zombie-like. I remember trying to open my front door with my car key-fob the week after I had my first baby – good times!
Your energy levels are a reflection of your hormone levels out of wack. Estrogen and Progesterone levels can drop, making you feel tired and sluggish. It’s important to always have high-nutrient snacks, get out for walks during the day, and have some time carved out each day just for yourself to be alone. This will help improve your energy levels, especially while you’re knees deep in baby night feeds.
Hormonal changes after birth can’t be avoided and is your body’s natural way of transitioning to life post-pregnancy. While they can have huge impacts on your everyday life by impacting your mood, energy levels, skin, and more, it’s all worth it to have that cute baby in your arms.
Ways to Manage Symptoms:
Make Sleep a Priority:
Sleep and time heal all things. Although it can be difficult adjusting to life with a newborn, prioritizing sleep is one of the most important ways to help your body recover from hormonal fluctuations. Sleep deprivation can make mood swings worse and fatigue unbearable. You should try to take naps when your baby is sleeping, create a schedule for night feeds with your spouse, or have an extra family member (enter grandparents!) over to support you during the early weeks.
Proper Diet:
While comfort foods will seem like your go-to choice, eating a balanced and nutrient filled diet can help regulate hormones. Focus on consuming whole foods rich in essential nutrients. Healthy fats (avocado, nuts, and seeds), proteins (lean meats, legumes), and fiber (whole grains, vegetables) are great food options to prioritize. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and flaxseeds may also support hormonal balance and mood regulation.
Exercise:
Regular physical activity can stimulate the release of feel-good hormones like endorphins and serotonin. Exercise is known to lift your mood, help postpartum recovery, and help balance hormones. Start with gentle postpartum exercises, such as walking, yoga, or pelvic floor exercises once cleared by your OBGYN or healthcare provider.
Supplements:
Supplements like vitamin D, magnesium, or omega-3 fatty acids can really help support hormone health. You can work with your healthcare provider on which ones might work the best for you and your symptoms.
This post was all about hormonal changes after birth.
