Postpartum Hormonal Changes and Mood
I bet you thought the hard part was over once you held your gorgeous newborn in your arms. The postpartum period can bring with it many challenges, joy, emotional breakdowns, tears and laughter. Not to mention the hormonal changes that are occurring under the surface!
Bringing new life into the world is a remarkable journey, but it also entails profound hormonal shifts that can significantly impact a mother's mood. Postpartum hormonal changes are a natural part of the childbirth process, yet they can trigger a range of emotions, challenges and impact overall health and wellbeing.
The Hormonal Changes
Changes primarily involve fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone levels. During pregnancy, these hormones surge to support the developing baby and prepare the mother's body for childbirth. After delivery, however, these levels drop rapidly. This sudden decline can lead to various physical and emotional changes.
Cortisol levels, which naturally increase with stress and the normal waking cycle to help us wake up, often increase due to the stressors of having a young baby. This, along with the lack of sleep contributes to decreased melatonin levels (and, as a result, serotonin which supports a happy, healthy mood). These postpartum hormone changes can often leave us feeling low.
Impact on Mood and Emotions
“Baby Blues”
Many new mothers experience what is known as "baby blues" within the first few days after childbirth. This is characterised by feelings of sadness, anxiety, or mood swings. These emotions are often mild and typically resolve on their own within a week or two. This is due to the dramatic decrease in oestrogen and progesterone after delivery.
Postpartum Depression (PPD)
In some cases, the hormonal changes coupled with other common factors such as sleep deprivation, stress, and lifestyle adjustments can lead to more persistent and severe mood disturbances. Postpartum depression affects around 10-15% of mothers and requires medical attention. Resources like PANDA and your GP are a great place to start to seek further support.
Anxiety
Postpartum anxiety is another common condition that can occur independently or alongside depression. It is characterised by excessive worry, restlessness, and sometimes physical symptoms like dizziness or rapid heartbeat.
Managing Postpartum Mood Changes
Support System
Building a strong support system of family, friends, and healthcare providers can make a significant difference. Having someone to talk to and rely on can help alleviate feelings of isolation and stress.
Self-care
Taking care of oneself is crucial during this period. This includes adequate rest whenever possible, eating nutritious foods, gentle exercise if approved by a healthcare provider, and mindfulness activities and exercises which have been shown to manage stress and regulate mood.
Professional Help
Seeking help from a healthcare provider is essential if symptoms of depression or anxiety persist beyond the first few weeks postpartum. Therapy, support groups, and in some cases, medication, can all be part of an effective treatment plan.
Support hormone regulation
Sometimes our bodies need a little more support to regulate our hormones. This can be through diet, supporting detoxification pathways in our body, facilitating healthy digestion and restful sleep.
It isn’t uncommon to feel overwhelmed, emotional and as though you have reached your physical and emotional limit. It is easy to read all the common tips and tricks on how to support your mood and regulate your hormones but it’s another to implement them in a constantly changing terrain that is the postpartum period.
If you are ready to regulate your stress, become the present, happy and regulated mum you had hoped to be click here. This is not a course where you have to figure out how to implement the recommendations yourself and requires endless amounts of time invested. This is a course that will allow you to reconnect with yourself so you can feel more grounded, connected and calm in those times of high stress.
