14 Common Postpartum Issues No One Tells You About That You Must Take Of!

Postpartum Thyroiditis

Sometimes women face postpartum thyroiditis after giving birth. According to the American thyroid association, It is an inflammation of thyroid glands that might occur in two stages. In the thyrotoxic stage, you might experience symptoms like insomnia, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, and weight loss.

While in the hypothyroid phase, symptoms may include dry skin, constipation, weight gain, fatigue, and depression. To get rid of these symptoms you have to consult your doctor which might help you to regain normal thyroid functions.

Sometimes women with type 1 diabetes or who have a history of thyroid dysfunction are most likely to suffer from postpartum thyroid. Also if you have a family history of thyroid you may have a higher risk of developing the thyroid after postpartum.

Detailed info here.

Allergies

During your postpartum, you may experience some not-so-common allergies. After pregnancy, there might be some hormonal shifts in your body which might change the way your body reacts to the outside world.

During the time of pregnancy, your body intentionally suppresses immunity by itself to prevent your body from growing a fetus. But after the delivery, your body’s defense system stops working in the same way. Sometimes it attacks the outside forces which cause allergies.

Sometimes you may get allergic to some foods that used to be your favorite. Some women develop skin issues from the products that were once part of skincare in the past. However, these postpartum allergies are often temporary.

Useful info is also present in this governmental write-up.

 Breast Changes

You may experience massive changes in your breasts during pregnancy and after delivery. They may ache, grow or they leak sometimes. You might experience a surprising change in breasts around 3 months after postpartum, you might feel less full breasts suddenly.

After childbirth, your progesterone and estrogen levels may decrease quickly. Around the third or fifth day after the delivery hour, colostrum becomes diluted because of additional fluid. This is the time when your breasts may start to look fuller and leak milk.

Mental Changes

Along with many physical changes you might also suffer from mental changes too. This is one of the important aspects of the postpartum experience. As you experience a lack of sleep and a major change in your daily routine you might suffer from postpartum depression.

Moreover, if you had planned vaginal birth but because of an emergency you needed a C section, it could also affect your mental health. One study showed that when pregnant ladies had an emergency or unplanned C section there were more chances to experience postpartum issues.

You might want to check out this write-up and a detailed article about postpartum depression.

Postpartum Night Sweats

You might suffer from uncontrollable sweat issues after childbirth. Usually, for two or three weeks, postpartum women sweat like crazy. Sometimes you might feel drenched at night because of excessive sweating.

Usually, This condition appears because of lower levels of estrogen. When your body attempts to eliminate these excess fluids itself it could trigger night sweats. Thus hot flashes are normal after childbirth. To get rid of them you may try drinking cold water. Deep breathing techniques and practicing meditation might help you to relax.

Related risk factors are discussed here.

Libido And Sexuality

Low sex drive is another common postpartum issue that no one tells you about. The AAFP says that your estrogen levels may not return for at least one year after childbirth. After the pregnancy, your fatigue, body changes, and fear of pregnancy could have an impact on your sexuality and libido as well.

If you face any discomfort make sure to report and contact your health care expert. Knowing these common conditions could help you to reduce stress and stay positive.

Influencing risk factors are discussed here about sexuality after child delivery.

Loss Of Bladder Control

In the case of vaginal birth, you might experience zero bladder control in the first few weeks. You may not be able to stop peeing. Pelvic organ prolapse might be the reason for loss of bladder control.

During your pregnancy, your pelvic muscles could stretch and vaginal delivery makes them weaker. Your bladder might droop or sag if your pelvic muscles won’t provide enough support to it. This situation is known as a cystocele. The sagging of the bladder might cause a stretch of the urethra opening.

If you are having any pelvic floor issues or struggling from bladder problems in your postpartum period you might consult your physical therapist. He might help you in strengthening your key muscle that causes pelvic issues.

Postpartum Chills

After childbirth women might experience uncontrollable shakes called postpartum chills. As per the studies, it is a physiological response of your body that usually occurs within two hours of delivery. Sometimes it may appear and uncontrollable shivering.

You may experience postpartum chills after childbirth and it could be unpleasant for you. However, it is temporary and lasts for about two to three hours. It’s a result of your nervous system response.

If you experience this issue you should try to relax. Controlling these chills might make it worse. You can use a blanket to feel warm and comfortable.

Postpartum Hair Loss

So many moms lose their hair after a few months of childbirth, especially between the four months of delivery. We can’t particularly name it hair loss but rather it might be hair shedding. Usually, it is caused by a decline in the hormone estrogen.

It is also considered telogen effluvium. Most of the women notice 300 or more hair shedding each day, however, it might disappear on its own and you don’t need any hair treatment.

Postpartum hair loss is caused by a decline in estrogen levels which resolve on its own. But if it continues you may talk to your doctor and find out any health issues like iron deficiency, anemia, or hypothyroidism.

A number of females might also suffer from postpartum alopecia as well. Here is a reference article for the same.

Core Muscles

After delivery women may suffer from weak core muscles. You have to see your doctor for a 6-week check-up after childbirth. And if you are looking to continue your exercise and intercourse you have to follow some restrictions.

As your core muscles get weaker they might not be that strong to activate during your workout, this is where your low back overcompensates. Along with that some mothers sometimes suffer from chronic back pain and are debilitated because of the incessant crying and picking off their growing baby.

You could also refer to these pointers when it comes to postnatal exercise.

Postpartum Stretch Marks

One more common postpartum effect on your body is stretch marks, poochy tummies, and saggy skin. As one-third of moms have a C section for delivery they are likely to have this issue.

During pregnancy your body grows and rapidly expands, it will help your skin to pull tight over the new mass which is formed for the baby. However, the tearing of underlying tissue might be the cause of stretch marks. as it has been stretched tightly which becomes visible on your skin surface after childbirth.

For women, these stretch marks could be annoying and unsightly. It might remain purple or red for maybe two years. However, these postpartum stretch marks are not harmful to you nor do they pose any health risks.

A number of essential pointers are enlisted here by the governmental agency.

Blood Glucose Swings

You may experience constant fluctuation in your glucose levels during your pregnancy and after childbirth.  As per the American diabetes association, It is the most common issue for women who have diabetes or they have developed gestational diabetes.

Therefore, it’s better to have a track of your blood glucose levels and follow the instructions of your healthcare provider. Also, you may follow medication to have control of blood glucose levels. Usually, gestational diabetes is temporary in postpartum and goes away on its own. You may control it by just balancing your eating habits and regularly exercising.

The same has been confirmed by this CDC article as well.

Perineal Pain

You may suffer from perineal pain after the vaginal delivery. Pain in the region of the rectum and vagina is common after childbirth. During the delivery, your tender tissues may be torn or stretched which causes bruising and swelling. Women with episiotomy may also experience this discomfort.

However, it is also a temporary issue after childbirth, it might start healing after some weeks. To reduce tenderness and avoid infection you may use sitz baths, using warm water to the area with a sponge or cold packs. To avoid infection in the perineum it’s important to wipe your body after a bowel movement.

This study also indicates that it might continue from 10 days to 6 months varies from person to person.

Hemorrhoid’s and Constipation

After childbirth experiencing constipation and hemorrhoids is quite common for women. The pressure of the fetus and enlarged uterus might be the reason for these issues. However, using sprays and ointments and following a diet rich in fluids and fiber might help you to reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids and constipation.

Moreover, you may also try warm sitz baths for relief. Or you can purchase an inflatable from any drugstore to help reduce the discomfort caused by constantly sitting. If you have had an episiotomy make sure to consult your doctor before using laxatives, enemas, or suppositories.

This study indicates how this problem was neglected for a number of women after childbirth.