Despite what we may see/read in the media, it is simply not possible to just 'bounce back' immediately after giving birth. Hormonal changes play havoc with our bodies, leaving us vulnerable both mentally & physically....
Some of your hormones go from the highest they will ever be, to the lowest!! 💙 Oestrogen & progesterone levels drop dramatically, which can contribute to the “baby blues” - mood swings, anxiety, sadness or irritability, which should resolve within a week or so of birth, or postpartum depression symptoms that are more intense, last longer and interfere with your daily life. 💜 Meanwhile, oxytocin, which is called the 'bonding hormone' floods your system right after delivery. It turns on mothering behaviour, and one aspect of that behaviour is being able to see danger in your child’s world, So when oxytocin goes up, so can anxiety. 💛 These hormones influence one another in a complex dance and affect your energy and mood. Your body could use more progesterone, which is a natural anti-anxiety substance, but it’s low right after birth. So you can see how that combination can lead to postpartum anxiety. 💚 Hormonal changes affect your bones and joints, too. During pregnancy, your body makes a hormone called relaxin, which makes all of your joints looser. It can take up to five months for joints to return to their earlier stability, so stick to lower-impact exercise if your joints are sore. 💗 It’s totally OK to feel all over the place with your mood for several months, reflexology or acupuncture at this time can be hugely helpful in helping to re-balance the hormones & restore equilibrium. 🧡These early days are more than ever, the time for self-care. Nourish yourself with good food, nurture yourself with treatments, rest & be gentle. You've got this mama! 🙏
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