Postpartum Feelings

The postpartum period is commonly used to refer to the immediate 6 weeks after childbirth. During this time women experience many physical and emotional changes as their bodies adjust back to taking care of just one human instead of two (or multiple!). Knowing what feelings you may experience before going through the postpartum period is very helpful to ensure the best possible healing and recovery.

Before diving into what feelings a postpartum mother may experience, we first need to talk about the hormonal changes responsible for these feelings. There are many hormonal changes following childbirth but the two main ones come from progesterone and prolactin. Almost right after giving birth and after the placenta is delivered, the level of progesterone that was considerably high during pregnancy, drops off. Your body will once again make progesterone when your menstrual cycle begins, but for a temporary time this decrease can affect mood and energy. The second huge hormonal change that occurs after childbirth is the body begins making prolactin. Prolactin helps make milk. Even if a mother chooses to use formula, the body begins to produce milk. Prolactin is known to affect dopamine, aka those "happy feelings," making energy and mood levels feel all out of wack.

So, because of these major hormonal changes, it is completely normal to feel on top of the clouds happy one moment and then break down crying the next moment. The postpartum period is a roller coaster of emotions. With the popular name, "baby blues." new moms often feel sadness, loss of identity, helplessness, anxiety, loneliness and well as many more emotions. However, most doctors recommend that if you are feeling these "baby blues" for longer than 2 weeks, you should call your doctor because it could be something more serious like postpartum depression.

Not only do hormonal changes affect how a recovering mother may feel after childbirth, but also there is a multitude of new adjustments taking place that take a toll on the body. Going from pregnancy to actually holding a baby in your arms is a huge adjustment. Then learning how to take care of the baby, or introduce a new baby to other family members can be hard too. New mothers have to adjust to a new human relying on them for their every need. Sleep schedules are out of order and it takes time to learn exactly what the new baby in your care will need. It's common to feel like your baby is attached to you in the weeks following childbirth and that you never have a break.

The potentially scariest feeling that is normal weeks after giving birth is feeling like you are losing yourself or maybe feeling like you don't know yourself anymore. In other words, it's common to feel like you're losing your identity. These feelings are based on losing that control that you had over your own life before a baby came. When you were tired, you could sleep, when you were hungry, you could eat, and when you needed a break, you could take it. Being a mom is a full time job and even when you're away from your baby for certain time periods, you constantly have that knowing that you are a mother. Thoughts like, how is the best way to care of your baby may flood your mind, and you can push your own needs to the side. Please, please remember that these feelings will pass and you will feel yourself again. It's very important when you feel this way to communicate with your partner, a close friend, or a counselor of some sort. Take time to yourself, even if just 15 mins to refresh and reset. Allow someone you trust to care for your baby so that you can nap, shower, or just get some you time.

The postpartum recovery is a difficult process no matter how prepared you think you are. It's common to hear about the physical changes your body will go through but less common to hear about the completely normal feelings that occur. Once again, communicate with someone you trust about the way you are feelings, and make sure you get the rest and recovery your body needs. You are strong and you will get through this!

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