Physiological changes in pregnancy
Pregnancy is often a unique and fascinating process for both the mother and baby, full of physical and hormonal changes that occur to protect the baby and prepare the mother for labor. All women experience some of these physiological changes, although to different degrees.
Biochemical values may shift in pregnancy, causing a host of new symptoms that may mimic medical disease. Thanks to these changes, pregnant women may be at risk for developing gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. An increased plasma volume causes a decrease in concentrations of chloride, magnesium, and potassium while sodium is elevated. Increased hormones also lead to hypercoagulable state which increases risk of thrombosis. Along with increased glucose levels this can create a diabetogenic state when combined with diet management education by healthcare providers. Uterine contractions are also normal during pregnancy though they usually aren’t strong enough to lead to preterm labor until near the end of gestation period.
Having a baby is life-changing in many ways – including your body and mind. Discover the physical and psychological changes that occur postpartum. Many expectant parents don’t know about the physical and psychological changes they will experience after their baby has arrived. Learn ways to cope!
Temporary Physical Changes After Delivery
Having a baby could be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences any woman could have. However, with this joy come various other physical changes that take place post pregnancy and delivery. From pain to discomfort, there are ‘normal’ physical changes women experience after having a baby.
These include afterbirth pains, body aches, vaginal pain, added pressure on the pelvic floor muscles due to the weight of the baby in utero and possible hemorrhoids caused by increased straining during delivery or constipation afterwards. Other symptoms include night sweats, swollen breasts accompanied by excessive sweating (causing breast rashes) and unexplained hair loss.
Although these physical changes can make new mothers anxious or worried at times, it is important to understand they are normal and can help set realistic expectations. Knowing what to expect during this time will bring them relief as they go through their post-delivery phase.
What are afterbirth pains?
Afterbirth pains are the body’s way of helping the uterus return to its prepregnant size. Afterbirth pains, or afterpains, may be felt when breastfeeding as the release of oxytocin causes the uterus to contract and expel any leftover blood and tissue. Afterbirth pains are fairly common in women who have previously given birth, since they still have a muscle memory of what it is like to contract during labour. Afterbirth pains usually start around 24 hours after giving birth and can last up to a few days after delivery.
Women can reduce their risk of postpartum cramping by breastfeeding as this encourages Oxytocin production which helps reduce afterbirth pain as it encourages the uterus to shrink back down to its original size at a quicker pace. Additionally, applying pressure on the abdomen may help ease the discomfort for some women.
Body Aches, Vainal Pain & Hemorrhoids.. Oh my!
If you recently had a baby, then you know that there is an array of body aches and pains, along with some other not-so-pleasant issues. Let’s take a closer look at the aftermath of childbirth, how to help prevent complications and how to ease any postpartum pain and uncomfortableness.
Episiotomy Tear: Along with the vaginal delivery itself, most women will experience some tearing in the area between their vagina and anus known as the perineum. After having an episiotomy tear (a cut made by your doctor to enlarge your vagina during delivery) it is important to cool the area with an ice pack or cold compress and use a squeeze bottle to keep the perineum clean.
Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids can be caused by the pressure of the baby’s weight during pregnancy or stress during delivery and will usually clear up by themselves postpartum. However, they can be quite uncomfortable while they are present. To help avoid constipation and reduce hemorrhoid pain, one should eat a high fiber diet, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly and use a squirt bottle for relief.
Postpartum Night Sweats
For many new mothers, night sweats are an important physical symptom to look out for after birth. Even though up to 80% of postpartum women will experience night sweats in the weeks and months following delivery, not all know about this normal occurrence. Postpartum night sweats are caused by changing hormone levels due to a decrease in estrogen. Generally, these sweats can last up two six weeks after pregnancy and may cause more severe uncomfortable symptoms than regular sweating.
It’s important to note that while postpartum sweating is generally normal and can be treated with loose clothing and proper hydration, if you have a fever during the postpartum period it should not be ignored or overlooked. Take fevers seriously after pregnancy as they could potentially be related to infection or other complications that require medical attention.
Painful, Enlarged Breasts After Birth
Breastfeeding moms may experience painful, enlarged breasts postbirth—but it doesn’t have to be a burden. The condition is actually quite common and occurs when milk “overfills” in the mother’s breast, leading to distension of soft tissue.
Though it is uncomfortable, this issue is completely normal and temporary and typically lasts until the body adjusts to producing exactly what your baby needs. Constantly attending to your baby’s needs puts additional pressure on the body, which can make overfill worse when it encounters disruptions in feeding patterns such as skipping a session or having an unsatisfied infant. Dropping nursing sessions (like at night) too early can also cause this problem.
While dealing with discomfort is never fun, there are several ways for breastfeeding mothers to tackle issues like these. Organizations like Inspira offer resources for new moms looking for support; their ranges from care coordinators who can help new parents find services or specialists for specialized care that meet their family’s needs, to a warm line that participants can call if they have any question about how to best provide babies with adequate nourishment.
What is breast engorgement?
Breast engorgement (or mastitis) is a condition that can occur when the baby’s appetite does not keep up with the mother’s milk supply. The breasts become swollen, firm, painful and may even be hotter than usual. As mentioned, if the breasts are hot to touch and the pain doesn’t go away with breastfeeding, it could be a sign of mastitis. Some strategies for relieving breast engorgement include using warm compresses, gently massaging the breasts while breastfeeding, and pumping a bit of milk out before nursing from each breast.
If symptoms such as redness on skin, fever or flu-like symptoms accompanies breast engorgement then medical advice should be sought immediately as it might be a bacterial infection known as mastitis.
Postpartum hair loss or thinning – thank your hormones!
Pregnant women are blessed with having their fullest and most luxurious hair, thanks to their soaring hormones. But about two or three months after delivery the beauty blessing may suddenly disappear, bringing postpartum hair loss or thinning in its place. Though this can be an unwelcome surprise, it’s perfectly normal and thankfully temporary.
Studies have found that many pregnant women have higher levels of estrogen which are responsible for the surge of hair growth during pregnancy. However, as soon as you give birth, these hormone levels drop back to prepregnancy levels causing some powerful side effects including shedding of hair. Generally, within 3 months postpartum your hair will return to normal – while you may still experience some additional shedding this should return to an unremarkable level within six months after givingbirth.
Lasting Vaginal Changes After Birth
Giving birth causes many changes in a woman’s body and the vagina is no exception. After delivery, the vagina usually returns to its normal color and shape. However, there may be permanent changes such as a longer labia minora (the inner vaginal lips) or some degree of laxity due to stretching of muscle fibers and traumatizing of skin during childbirth.
The good news is that even if the prepregnant shape does not come back, it should not cause any issues with functioning, sexual pleasure or hygiene. Moreover, the pelvic floor muscles will strengthen over time with regular exercise, helping women gain better control over their bladder during pregnancy and reducing incontinence associated with childbirth.
Sagging/Shrinking Breasts (Plus Side – Lower Breast Cancer Risk!)
When a woman gives birth, she may experience her breasts sagging and shrinking in size after the pregnancy. To help counteract this, it is important to wear a supportive bra throughout the day. In addition, one should be careful not to lose postpartum weight too quickly, as it can affect skin elasticity and lead to further breast sagging or shrinkage. On the plus side, breastfeeding for 12 months or more significantly lowers risk of breast cancer by 4.3%.
How long does it take a woman’s body to adjust after childbirth?
Postpartum recovery is a challenging but vital part of giving birth. It’s how a woman’s body and mind adjusts after the rigors of delivery and childbirth. But far too often, the reality of postpartum healing can be overlooked or misunderstood.
At Inspira Health’s maternity care centers, new moms are taught something very important: that they own their pregnancy experience, from conception to delivery to recovery. A mother’s body and brain will experience several changes during pregnancy and childbirth—both emotional and physiological—so it’s normal for her to feel overwhelmed by the process.
Recovery times can vary greatly based on the individual, but being different is perfectly normal and acceptable. New mothers should focus on taking care of themselves and getting enough rest as they enter this new phase of their lifejourney.
Becoming a new Mom Causes Lasting Changes in a Woman’s Brain
The changes a woman’s body undergoes when she becomes pregnant are well documented. But what about what’s going on in her brain? Pregnancy causes lasting changes in a woman’s brain, including alterations to certain parts that affect how she thinks and processes information.
One of the main changes occurs in the hippocampus, a critical structure for learning and memory formation that increases greatly as women’s estrogen levels rise during pregnancy. A 2018 study found that women who gave birth five or more times had significantly smaller hippocampal volumes compared with those who had never given birth, causing researchers to believe there was some kind of biologically driven change to the brain related to pregnancy.
Though these brain differences can lead to a heightened state of alertness and improved short-term memory in new mothers, they may also bring difficulties in multitasking, task switching and concentration. If you’re concerned about any cognitive issues you’re experiencing postpartum, healthcare providers such as your family doctor or obstetrician are available to help discuss any concerns.
How does your brain change during & after pregnancy?
A recent study reveals something extraordinary about how a pregnant woman’s brain differently from that of other women. According to researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, pregnancy and giving birth prompt gray matter alterations related to social cognition and parental behavior in the female brain.
These changes — which appear in different regions depending on whether a person already has children — could support mothers’ ability to create social bonds with their babies and help them handle having more than one toddler, among other things.
The team discovered through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans that many of these changes last up to two years after pregnancy—although further study is needed to understand why, where, when and how they happen.
What psychological changes occur with having a new baby?
Having a new baby can be an overwhelming experience for many women. Pregnancy hormones can create mood swings, commonly referred to as the “baby blues.” But for some women this can also develop into postnatal depression, especially when not much emotional support is available from family and friends. Most new moms are likely to experience a wide range of emotions such as love, guilt, exhaustion, sleepiness, depression, excitement and anxiety. It is important that any new mother recognizes these signs in herself and seek help if she feels it is necessary. It’s equally important that those around her are aware of what is happening with her mental health so they can offer support when needed; this should include her obstetrician or midwife who can advise on how to manage them. If these feeling become more extreme such as intrusive thoughts of hurting themselves or their baby then professional help should always be sought.
Postpartum Depression & Anxiety (Temp or Permanent Changes)
After giving birth, a mother goes through huge hormonal changes that can significantly impact their health and wellbeing. In some cases, when these hormone levels drop too rapidly, mothers may experience feelings of depression and other mood disorders for weeks or even months after childbirth. This is known as postpartum depression, and if left unchecked it can adversely affect both the mother’s physical and mental health.
Postpartum depression can present in a variety of forms and lengths of time, ranging from as little as 4 weeks to up to a year. Symptoms are also vague; many people experience feelings of tiredness or confusion, but these are often difficult to differentiate with the general exhaustion that comes with having a newborn baby in the house. If you or someone your know has been experiencing these symptoms or any other prolonged period of tiredness or depression, regardless of cause it may be postpartum depression; seek out professional help immediately from Inspira Health or another provider.
Can childbirth trigger mental illness?
The focus of modern childbirth methods is on delivering a baby as naturally and safely as possible, but often without much discussion of the mental health effects that can result. Hormone levels rise very quickly in the days that immediately follow childbirth, which can cause temporary changes to mood, energy levels, and even an increase in depressive symptoms.
However, more severe mental illnesses can also occur in a small percentage of women. Postpartum depression—a diagnosis given to women who exhibit several signs of clinical depression following childbirth—is well known among new mothers. Yet a less frequently discussed illness is postpartum psychosis, which occurs when a woman experiences extreme confusion, paranoia and hallucinations following the birth of her baby. Women who have a history of prior mental health issues are at a greater risk for developing postpartum psychosis after giving birth, though it can also appear in those with no prior psychiatric issues. Mental health professionals typically recommend short-term hospitalization for severe cases such as this—especially if there is any concern about the safety of either mother or child. There is help out there for those who think they might be suffering from postpartum psychosis.
