Having a baby is an incredible experience, but it comes with its fair share of changes—including a whirlwind of hormonal shifts. After delivery, your body is working hard to adjust from pregnancy to postpartum, which means hormone levels are all over the place. This can affect everything from your mood to your energy levels, and even how your body feels day-to-day. Let’s break down what’s happening with your hormones and what you can expect as they settle down.
The Big Players: Postpartum Hormones
Several key hormones play a huge role in pregnancy and childbirth, and they’re the ones that fluctuate most dramatically after delivery:
- Estrogen and Progesterone: These two hormones are at all-time highs during pregnancy, supporting everything from baby’s development to preparing your body for childbirth. After delivery, they drop significantly, especially in the first few days postpartum, which is a major reason for the “baby blues” that many new moms feel.
- Oxytocin: Known as the “love hormone,” oxytocin is responsible for bonding and is also the hormone that helps with breastfeeding. Every time you nurse, your body releases oxytocin, which encourages milk flow and strengthens your connection with your baby.
- Prolactin: This hormone is responsible for milk production, and it stays high as long as you’re breastfeeding. High levels of prolactin can also suppress ovulation, which is why many breastfeeding moms experience a delay in the return of their periods.
- Cortisol: The “stress hormone” can also be elevated after birth, especially with sleep deprivation, recovery, and the adjustments to new motherhood. This can sometimes leave you feeling more on edge or emotional.
Physical Symptoms of Hormonal Shifts
The hormonal changes after childbirth don’t just affect your mood—they can also bring about physical symptoms that might take you by surprise. Here are a few common ones to watch for:
- Night Sweats
A rapid drop in estrogen after delivery can trigger intense sweating, especially at night. Your body is shedding excess fluids retained during pregnancy, which is why these sweats are common in the first few weeks postpartum. - Chills and Shaking
Some women experience postpartum chills or shivering right after delivery, likely due to adrenaline surges and shifts in body temperature regulation. This can also happen sporadically in the early postpartum weeks as your hormones adjust. - Shakiness
Hormonal fluctuations and stress can sometimes leave you feeling shaky, similar to a stress response. This might feel more noticeable if you’re sleep-deprived or haven’t eaten recently, as low blood sugar can amplify the sensation. - Hot Flashes or Flushing
Hormones like oxytocin, which is released during breastfeeding, can sometimes cause a wave of warmth or even sweating during nursing sessions. While it might feel strange, this is a normal reaction to your body’s hormone shifts.
These symptoms are usually temporary and improve as your hormones begin to stabilize, but they can feel overwhelming in the moment. Remember, your body is adjusting to a major change, and these experiences are part of the recovery process.
How Long Does It Take for Hormones to Stabilize?
Hormones fluctuate differently for every mom, but here’s a general timeline of what you can expect as your body finds its new balance:
- First Few Days: Estrogen and progesterone levels drop drastically right after birth, which often causes mood swings and weepiness (aka the “baby blues”). This usually peaks around day 3-5 and then starts to level out, though you may still feel emotional for a while.
- 6-8 Weeks Postpartum: By this time, most of the initial hormone shifts have started to balance. If you’re not breastfeeding, your estrogen levels will gradually start to return to their pre-pregnancy levels, and your period may come back around this time. For breastfeeding moms, prolactin and oxytocin remain higher, and estrogen stays lower, which can delay the return of your period.
- 3-6 Months Postpartum: For many moms, by the 3-month mark, things start to feel more steady. If you’re breastfeeding, hormone levels will continue to reflect that, and prolactin will stay elevated as long as you nurse. Around this time, any baby blues should have lifted, and if you’re still feeling down or anxious, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor about postpartum depression.
- 6-12 Months Postpartum: By around 6 months, hormone levels are much closer to pre-pregnancy levels for most women. If you’ve stopped breastfeeding, your period should return, if it hasn’t already. If you’re still breastfeeding, you might notice more stability in your emotions and energy levels, but it’s normal to still feel shifts as your body adjusts.
Tips for Coping with Postpartum Hormone Fluctuations
- Sleep When You Can: Sleep deprivation can make hormone fluctuations feel much more intense. If you’re able to get a nap or rest when the baby is sleeping, take advantage of those moments to recharge.
- Stay Hydrated and Eat Well: Keeping hydrated and nourishing your body with a balanced diet can support your energy and mood. Focus on nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains to support healing and overall well-being.
- Move Gently: Exercise can boost endorphins and help you feel more balanced, but go easy on yourself. A simple walk or gentle stretching can work wonders for both your body and mind.
- Build a Support System: Lean on family, friends, or a new moms’ group for support. Talking about your experiences and emotions with others who understand can make the ups and downs easier to handle.
- Ask for Help: If you’re feeling persistently sad, anxious, or overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider. Postpartum depression and anxiety are common and treatable, and you don’t have to face it alone.
Give Yourself Time
The postpartum period is often called the “fourth trimester” for a reason—it’s a time of huge physical and emotional adjustments. Your body and mind have done something amazing, and it’s normal to need time to find your balance. Be gentle with yourself, celebrate the small wins, and know that hormones will eventually settle down. With a little patience and self-care, you’ll start to feel more like yourself again.