09/27/2023
"The first week postpartum is precious, but it can also be a rollercoaster. Your hormones are shifting intensely to re-regulate your body after the past 9 months, settling back down after ALL the work it's done!
It can feel really dramatic—trust me, I've been there. Mood swings, tears, anxiety, irritability...it's normal. But the issue is, we're often not well-prepared for it.
Let's talk about what happens:
🤰🏻During pregnancy, estrogen & progesterone increase to the level of something like taking 100 birth control pills/day! 🤯
📉 By ~3 days PP, levels plummet back to baseline, near where they were before pregnancy. It’s like PMS on steroids 😅 This is considered the biggest hormone shift we experience at any stage in life. Take that in!
🤱🏽 For BF'ing mamas, estrogen can stay suppressed, which can affect moods.
The most important thing here is to give yourself grace. You're doing it, mama. You & your body are working together! And there are some beautiful solutions that can support you through the (what feels like) chaos.
✨ Keep blood sugar balanced to support your moods. Don't skip meals! This causes blood sugar to drop. Focus on high-quality protein & fats.
✨ Hydrate! Proper hydration leads to optimal brain health, supporting your moods & emotions.
✨ SLEEP. I know, it can be the hardest thing to do with a newborn. When baby's napping, try to rest—even 30 mins. Build up your sleep bank where you can to preempt the impact of sleep lost.
✨ Walk outdoors with baby to nourish your nervous system. It soothes baby's, too.
✨ Stay consistent with your prenatal multi & fish oil for a boost of nutrients.
With all that said, we must acknowledge that perinatal mood & anxiety disorders (PMADS) are real, & more common than we're led to realize. PLEASE reach out to a provider who has the tools to help you if needed ❤️ And if you're not sure? Reach out anyway!
You can find an in-depth convo on everything discussed above (& more) at the link in bio!
What did nobody tell you about PP that you wish you knew? What do you want to share with other mamas about those early days? We're here for one another & I'd love to hear from you.
xx Dr. A
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