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Hormonal Changes after Pregnancy
Childbirth brings in a lot of new changes. It completely alters the life of the parents, as their life will now revolve around their new baby. Childbirth also changes the hormonal balance in the mother’s body. This causes several issues in the new mom, such as mood swings, hair loss, insomnia, and more. The body takes a few months to recuperate from childbirth and get back to normal. During this time, hormonal imbalances can cause a variety of symptoms in the mother, ranging from inconvenient to very serious.
Causes of Hormonal Imbalance Post Pregnancy
Hormonal imbalance is caused by the sudden change in levels of the hormones progesterone and oestrogen in the new mother’s body. During pregnancy, the progesterone is at a high level in the body. After childbirth, the progesterone level drops suddenly, causing several unpleasant symptoms such as menstrual issues, recurring infections, and tiredness. A woman’s body takes six to eight weeks to recover from childbirth and restore hormonal balance. For women who are breastfeeding, it takes longer for the hormonal balance to be restored. This hormonal imbalance also affects the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and can cause hypothyroidism and inflammation of the thyroid gland (thyroiditis).
Causes of Oestrogen Dominance After Delivery
Oestrogen and progesterone are important hormones that play an important role in pregnancy and childbirth. After childbirth, the placenta is removed. The placenta is a major contributor to producing progesterone. As a result, progesterone levels in the body drop drastically. This causes oestrogen dominance, meaning a high level of the hormone oestrogen in the body. Oestrogen dominance can affect the normal functioning of the thyroid and adrenal glands. This can cause thyroiditis or inflammation of the thyroid glands, and hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid production.
Symptoms of Hormonal Imbalance After Giving Birth
If you have several of these symptoms after childbirth, it could be an indication of hormonal imbalance in your body:
1. Loss of Sleep
Mothers who have hormonal imbalance could suffer from insomnia, which is the inability to sleep through the night.
2. Anxiety and Mood Swings
Hormonal imbalance can affect your emotional state and cause erratic mood swings and anxiety. This could be because of thyroid problems caused by the hormonal imbalance.
3. Fatigue
If you feel extremely tired all the time post-delivery, it could be a sign of hormonal imbalance. It is normal to feel tired during recovery from childbirth, and the attention required by your new baby can also be overwhelming. However, if you feel constantly exhausted, you should tell your doctor about it so that he can determine if the exhaustion is being caused by hormonal imbalance.
4. Unable to Lose Weight, Baby Blues, and Postpartum Depression
The hormonal imbalance in the body makes it very challenging to lose weight post-delivery. Aside from this, new mothers often feel a case of ‘baby-blues’ which are feelings of sadness for several days after the baby is born. Mothers may be emotional and cry suddenly. They can be irritable and have trouble making decisions or sleeping. They may also feel overwhelmed by changes in their lives or that they are not caring well for their babies. Another symptom of hormonal imbalance is postpartum depression, which is much more serious than ‘baby-blues’ and is characterised by feelings of intense sadness or depression that last longer than a few weeks and do not go away.
5. Hair Loss
After the childbirth, you could experience hair loss due to the hormonal imbalance and thyroid problems. If you feel that the hair loss is unusually excessive, talk to your doctor about hormonal imbalance and remedies for it.
6. Recurring Infections
If you suffer from recurring infections like bladder or urinary tract infection, uterine or kidney infections, it is an indication of hormonal imbalance in the body. Hormonal problems can compromise your immunity and make you vulnerable to disease-causing bacteria, resulting in repeated infections.
7. Menstrual Problems
Menstrual problems such as heavy bleeding or painful cramps could also be due to hormonal imbalance and oestrogen dominance. Some women may also have very light bleeding during their periods after childbirth.
Ways to Restore Hormonal Balance After Pregnancy
Here is a list to help your body restore its hormonal balance after delivery:
1. Stay Away from Harmful Substances
Nicotine, alcohol and caffeine are three substances that can worsen the symptoms caused by hormonal imbalance after childbirth. Therefore, it is important to avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. Also, avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and cola.
2. Remember to Take Your Supplements
The body’s vitamin and mineral balance will also help to restore the hormonal balance. Hence, it is vital to take vitamin and mineral supplements daily after the birth of your child.
3. Avoid Soya Products
Postpartum hormones wreak havoc on your emotional state, causing mood swings. Soybeans and soy products contain phytoestrogen, which is a kind of plant oestrogen. This can mimic the effects of human oestrogen in the body and aggravate the problems caused by oestrogen dominance. Hence, avoid consuming soy products after delivery.
4. Eat Egg Yolk
Egg yolk is a great source of B-complex vitamins such as B12 and B6. It is also rich in selenium, which is crucial for converting inactive thyroid hormone to active thyroid hormone. Thus, consuming egg yolk can help in restoring hormonal balance in the body.
5. Make Sure You Are Getting Some Sunshine
Vitamin D is essential for the body to maintain hormonal balance. Deficiency of Vitamin D causes an increase in the level of parathyroid hormone, which will worsen the symptoms of hormonal imbalance. So, make sure you get some sunshine every day, as your body requires sunlight to synthesise Vitamin D.
6. Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise helps combat hormonal imbalance. It also causes the release of endorphins in your body that improve your mood and reduce stress. Walking in a park or in a natural area is a great way to exercise and feel relaxed.
7. Take Magnesium Supplements and Use Clary Sage Oil
The mineral magnesium plays an important role in balancing hormones in the body. Magnesium is better absorbed by the skin. So, using magnesium oil is better than taking magnesium pills. Make sure you get enough magnesium to restore hormonal balance in your body. Clary sage essential oil helps in controlling the body’s oestrogen level. It also lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, in your body. Dilute this oil with a carrier oil and apply it on the skin or use a diffuser to spread it in your room.
8. Increase Your Fibre Intake
Dietary fibre helps in eliminating oestrogen in the body. Including food that contains dietary fibre such as greens, lentils, peas, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can help restore your body’s hormonal balance by getting rid of excessive oestrogen.
9. Avoid Simple Carbohydrates
Simple carbs such as maida, white bread, pasta, rice, sugary sweets etc. can be digested easily by your body and contribute to weight gain and high blood sugar. This worsens the hormonal imbalance in your body. Stick to whole grains or unrefined complex carbohydrates like brown rice, brown bread, sweet potatoes, etc. to help your body restore hormonal balance.
10. Do Not Consume Foods High in Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)
PUFAs can affect your endocrine glands, causing the symptoms of hormonal imbalance to worsen. Hence, avoid foods containing PUFAs such as margarine, safflower oil, peanut oil etc. after delivery.
11. Do Not Use Hormonal Birth Control After Delivery
Using hormonal birth control soon after delivery will aggravate the problems caused by postpartum hormonal imbalance. This is because hormonal birth control pills change the levels of natural hormones that your body produces. This results in a further hormonal imbalance in your body.
12. Try Yoga
Yoga has been found to relieve stress and relax both your mind and body. It also helps in relieving anxiety and insomnia. Yoga will help in restoring your body’s hormonal balance. If you are not familiar with yoga, learn from a trained yoga expert. Do not attempt to do yoga on your own, as you may end up injuring yourself.
13. Raspberry Leaf Tea
Red Raspberry leaf is known for its antioxidant and restorative properties. It contains many vitamins and minerals that help in regulating hormones. Drinking red raspberry leaf tea can help resolve problems of the reproductive system.
14. Acupuncture
Acupuncture is another popular alternative medicinal therapy that originated in China. It involves inserting fine needles at specific energy points on the skin to treat the hormonal imbalance.
15. Get Plenty Of Sleep
Sleep deprivation increases the problems caused by hormonal imbalance after childbirth. Lack of sleep also negatively affects the mother-baby bonding. So, it is necessary to get as much sleep as you can. Get help from family members or a nanny for baby care and catch up on your sleep.
If you have just had a baby and are suffering from symptoms like hair loss, recurring infections, mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, sadness or depression, you should consult your doctor immediately to determine whether these symptoms are being caused by a postpartum hormonal imbalance or oestrogen dominance. Do not include new foods or alternative medicines in your diet without consulting your doctor first. This is needed if you are breastfeeding your baby. Whatever you consume can be passed on to the baby through breast milk. It is, therefore, important to make sure you are eating only healthy and nutritious food. Try the tips suggested in this article to restore hormonal balance in your body.
Also Read: Body Changes after Pregnancy Read more
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Nobody Told Me About Breastfeeding Problems That Can Happen to New Moms
As per society, once you are married, the next milestone is having a baby. People keep asking, "Is there any good news?" and if you two decide to wait for sometime before starting a family, people get anxious and ask is there anything wrong. Advice starts pouring in from every possible corner.
And once you declare the good news, everyone starts talking about diet, doctor, clothes, eclipses, rituals and safety but nobody talks about breastfeeding. Yes at least, nobody talked to me about it. As I was becoming a mother for the first time, I thought that my child will come close to me and the rest will happen automatically.
But it didn't. There was no problem with my milk production. Lactation consultants and nurses came and checked and they said everything was fine. But I had pain and it wasn't just the pain of breast fullness. I thought that maybe it would be like that for some days and become alright. But, things only worsened, the pain was so sharp that feeding became worry-time for me, blood started oozing from my nipples, still, the elders thought everything was normal. I used to cry in pain when my son latched.
This continued for 15 days, and a time came when I shivered in pain even when just clothes touched my breast. I got a fever and terrible pain. After consultation with a gynaecologist and lactation consultant, we came to the conclusion that the problem was with latching which has caused mastitis.
My son was not latching properly or I was unable to help him with latching.
Nevertheless, because of unbearable pain during breastfeeding, I started top feed for my son with a heavy heart. Now he is more than 6 months old and he takes the formula as well as mother's milk.
I want to request everyone to talk about breastfeeding with mothers-to-be. It might be simple for some but for mothers like me, it was a tough battle. And please respect mothers whether they are breastfeeding or giving formula. Stop judging them because of your beliefs and experiences. No mother wants to give top feed willingly, unavoidable situations make her do so. A mother deserves more opportunities and fewer trials. And to those mothers who are unable to breastfeed because of any reason, please understand that motherhood is not about breastfeeding. And to mothers like me who are breastfeeding and giving formula as well, your little one is getting 100 per cent benefit from it.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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The First Personality Trait your Baby Is Quietly Learning From You
From the moment you first find out you are pregnant, to when you hold your baby in your arms, there is one thing you promise yourself. You will do your very best for the little one. You pledge to look after him always, teach him beautiful lessons of kindness and hard work, and hold his hand as he takes his first steps. But he is too little to learn all that yet...or is he? Well, as it turns out, there is something that your baby begins to learn soon after birth, in every moment that you spend together. Wondering what we are talking about?
Science has shown that babies are adept at picking up cues from their mother even at an early age. They can sense it when you are frazzled and anxious, and also when you are self-assured and calm. Every day, your baby sees you running around changing his diapers, moisturising his skin, giving him a bath, and tucking him into bed. You may feel sloppy and stressed about your new role, but to his observant little eyes, you are the best. It is through this daily observation that, as per child development experts, your little darling learns his first personality trait. Self-confidence.
How you can develop your self-confidence as a new mother
Before you set out teaching this lesson to your baby, it must first be strong in your heart. After all, it is only when you come across as a confident mother will your baby will learn to imbibe this as he grows up. As a new mom, it is easy to give in to doubts and contradictions coming in from family and friends. The overwhelming flow of advice and information can leave you nervous and confused. So, what is the best way to instill confidence in your choices and decisions?
#1: Draw strength from within, and others who feel this way
Motherhood can often feel solitary. It helps immensely to draw strength from inside you, from your instincts as a mother. It also helps to draw support from others who feel this way, portraying motherhood as is, without resorting to untrue stereotypes of ‘perfect mothers’. The philosophy that Baby Dove believes in, for instance, is a great way to restore your self-confidence. There is no right or wrong way of parenting at all – and certainly no perfect mothers, they say. There is only one way of parenting, and that is the one your heart tells you to follow. This supportive message for every new mother, comes in the form of a newly launched range of gentle skincare solutions that are not just mild on baby’s skin but also replenish it with moisture. With the reassurance of superior care to rely on, it becomes that much simpler to ward off apprehensions and anxieties, and embrace confidence instead.
#2: Fill your life with positive thoughts – and words
Self-confidence also has a lot to do with how you see yourself. Becoming a mother changes a lot about your body, your career and your relationships, and this may breed negative thoughts. This can take a toll on your overall wellness too, and in turn, rub off on your baby. Do you constantly labour to meet perfect standards set by society – for postpartum body, for career after motherhood, for how you should look, talk and behave? This can be utterly damaging for your self-belief. Mothers are not defined or restricted to definitions of perfection laid by the society. Tell yourself this, and believe in it.
#3: Take time out for yourself, and keep making little changes that bring you happiness
Finally, another big blow that your self-confidence may receive is from dissatisfaction. It is easy to fall into a rut, especially with baby care taking up so much time. Quitting – or not quitting – your job? Meeting – or not meeting – your friends? There are some things you cannot change but some you can! Like getting a new outfit or hairstyle, or taking a mini break. They may be only temporarily gratifying, but can be a huge boost to your self-confidence and a great way to ward off stress. Yes, stress is inevitable for a mother, but being frayed and nervy around your baby only damages the confidence she has just started learning.
It is said that a mother is a child’s first teacher, friend, caregiver and confidante. Her role begins right from conception and goes on throughout her child's life. You’ll be teaching your baby many worthwhile lessons as you grow up together. You are best-suited for this, as you have the deepest connection with your child. Let this first lesson of self-confidence set the foundation for many beautiful things to come! Read more
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When Your 18 Months Old Is Possessive About His Toys
Being selfish is a phase that every toddler goes through when he's told to share something. A toddler not sharing his things is, therefore, nothing more than just a developmental trait. There are measures parents can smartly take to rid their little ones of this possessive streak.
Toddlers can get overly possessive about their things. From objects to toys, grandparents to even siblings, there’s no telling what can grab their fancy. Their unwillingness to share their possessions stem from a strong sense of ownership for an object that the child has full control over. Here's how you can unlock this troubling behaviour code.
Tips for Helping Toddler to Learn to Share
1. Never force your toddler to share
The more you pressurise your toddler to share the more he'll refrain from sharing. The question of why toddler won’t share springs from the need to hold onto what might seem like the world to them at the present moment. Leave them to themselves and they'll automatically give up what they just fought over a while back. It’s a practice that will leave a child feeling less compelled and more willing to share.
2. Never take sides
If your two-year-old is playing with his brother, sister, or a friend, who grabs a toy from your child's hand don’t snatch the toy back and give it to him. Your snatching it away from the other child will only serve to teach him that grabbing is okay and so is being possessive. As much as possible leave the kids to sort out this tussle without taking anyone’s side. If the situation goes out of hand, encourage your child to play with the toy in turns instead.
3. Respect your child’s possessiveness
You should learn how to deal with possessiveness in toddlers by respecting it. To them, even a broken toy truck might be a prized possession. Not everything has to be shared with others. If the object is something that your toddler has an attachment to, it's quite alright to let it be solely his to play with. Likewise, if you have a playgroup over, there’s no need to take out all your toddler’s toys for play, particularly his favourites.
4. Create an environment of sharing
Creating an environment at home that encourages sharing is one of the best ways to teach your toddler to share things. If you have more than one child, try and create equal opportunities for all. If you bake cookies, ensure each one gets an equal share. If you have a slab of chocolate, dish it out equally and don’t leave daddy out of it!
5. Play sharing games
One of the best ways to encourage sharing in your toddler is to incorporate activities for toddlers that involve sharing. When playing such activities always keep in mind to seek your toddler’s permission before using something that belongs to him. When done, hand the toy over with a 'thank you'.
Possessiveness in 18-month-old Toddlers is a common behavioural tendency that lasts its length of time. Given time and space, they soon grow out of this feeling. On your part, set an example of generosity for your toddler to follow. Read more
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5 Ideas to Stop Piling Post-Wedding Kilos
Most women go to huge lengths to maintain their waistline before marriage. However, after marriage and a baby, life can become way too busy. Wait, there's good news! The how to avoid post-wedding weight gain question has a few simple answers!
From looking slim and pretty before marriage to suddenly piling on those kilos post wedding, your dress size can see a sea of change once you've put a "ring" on it! But why does it happen? Fight those extra kilos so you never give your favourites dresses to your slimmer cousins again!
5 Hacks to Save your Post-Wedding Waistline
1. The starvation period backfires
Before marriage, fasting, dieting and starving oneself are common so you can fit into your wedding dress. When the wedding is over, the after effects rightly take over. The problem is that you probably shed those extra pounds way too fast by crash dieting or over-exercising before marriage. Now, you need to be gradual, follow a proper diet and not shock your body!
2. You lose interest in cooking
Before marriage, you couldn’t resist the urge to whip up all his favourite dishes. After marriage, what with work and then having to think about what to cook each day, you simply don’t have it in you. The most convenient alternative is to eat out or order in. If you make it a habit, you know what’s in store for you. Better to take a little trouble to control weight gain after marriage
3. Every day becomes a reason to celebrate
You and your husband will find any and every excuse to take out those wine glasses you received as a wedding gift. While wine does have its health benefits, regular intake will pile on the calories. Limit it to the weekends so that not only do you keep all that post wedding weight gain at bay but also keep the novelty of drinking with each other intact.
4. You confine yourself to the couch
After marriage, your most favourite spot in the house becomes the couch. The temptation to plop yourself down on the couch in front of the TV, with the remote in one hand and a snack bowl in the other, turns into a bad habit that is hard to break. Try finding a better way to relax. If you miss the couch too much, at least do away with the snack bowl.
5. Ebb in bedroom action
While it may be true that newly married couples can’t keep their hands off each other, it's also true that a couple’s sex life may slow down later on in marriage. Those long passionate nights of rolling about in bed may turn into quickies. Sex doubles up as exercise, and sexual intimacy is important to keep your marriage and fitness going. An active sex life is sometimes all you need to burn those calories!
Putting on weight after marriage not only increases the risk of physical ailments but you also face a setback when it upsets your wardrobe! Why wait for that to happen and end up feeling the worse for it? Now that you know how to lose weight after marriage, go get on with it already! Read more
Sunita Mahato has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 m old child
8 hours ago
Q. #asktheexperts How to increase quantity of milk production?
Sunita Mahato
Mom of 3 children
8 hours ago
A. to increase milk take latction supplement as lactare...
take green papaya bottle gourd bitter gourd fennel seeds garlic oats ragi dalia sabudana ...
regular pumping increase milk use Babyhug electric breast pump...
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
8 hours ago
Q. hi doctor from two days i am eating milk cream with sugar and i want to burn it in my stomach I am 5 month pregnant plzz help ??
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. at present weight no exercise is other than moderate walking. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
7 hours ago
Q. I am in my 8th month of pregnancy (last week), and for some reason I am continously facing lot of fatigue. I am feeling deprived of energy and I don't have any energy to do anything. resting isn't Helping in any way and taking small walks isn't too. what can be the possible reason and how to overcome this.
Read moreDr Ghouse
Paediatrician
7 hours ago
A. yes that can be both physical and psychological problems during pregnancy ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Sai Prasanthi R L has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
5 hours ago
Q. hi,
pls advice , after hcg tigger injection can we do intercourse to conceive and till when we can do ...trying to conceive
Sai Prasanthi R L
Mom of a 10 yr 2 m old boy
5 hours ago
A. Hello dear! We understand your eagerness and concern. It is advisable to check with your consulting doctor regarding this matter. Clarify your concerns and follow your doctor’s advice. Maintain a good personal hygiene routine and a healthy lifestyle
Charul Verma has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 7 m old child
3 hours ago
Q. Hello my baby is 20 months old he swallowed a earpod bur he is normal he eat as well as drink please suggest???
Charul Verma
Nutritionist
2 hours ago
A. hi mom
mostly it will be out once he passes stool
but better to show to doctor
it can be checked in x ray if required
Rashmi has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 yr 7 m old child
3 hours ago
Q. Hello my baby is 20 months old by mistake he swallowed a earpod but he is normal is eat drink plz suggest??
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
3 hours ago
A. It’s fine it should come out into the poop of your child within 24 to 48 hours a lot of mishaps happened with kids these days but these things since they are not edible they do not get digested which is why they come out into the motion
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