What Causes: Postnatal Conditions
You’ve given birth to a baby, and while you might expect to be feel fabulous, it turns out this is a seriously challenging time for your body and mind. If you’re struggling with negative feelings, don’t feel guilty. Many postnatal conditions such as depression and weight gain can be attributed in part to sleep deprivation. After all, when you’ve got a new-born in the house, it can be incredibly difficult to get a decent night’s sleep – so be kind to yourself.
Other postnatal conditions such as hormonal changes are simply a matter of your body adjusting to this new phase. Oestrogen and progesterone levels drop quickly post-birth and they can really affect your mood. Furthermore, if you are breastfeeding, you will have high levels of prolactin and this can have an effect on your behaviour, sex drive, and immune system too.
You may also notice changes to your skin and/or hair after giving birth. Stretch marks are a common side effect of pregnancy as your tummy expands due to your growing baby. You may also develop melasma or ‘the mask of pregnancy’ on your face. This occurs due to excessive oestrogen and progesterone during pregnancy, and your skin may return to normal post-birth. Lastly, one final postnatal condition you may experience is hair loss. This usually occurs in the first few months after giving birth. It is very common, and happens because of depleting levels of oestrogen.
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