After childbirth, you’re probably excited for your body to return to normal. However, as any reliable physician will remind you, it may take longer than you thought. Even with a clean bill of health from your physician, there are many hormones that stay active in your body for months after your delivery. Knowing their effects can help you prepare to handle them. Here are three postpartum hormones that will affect the way you feel after childbirth.

3 Important Postpartum Hormones

1. Prolactin

Prolactin is the compound that helps your body produce milk for your baby. Your prolactin levels rise sharply during pregnancy, and they stay elevated for several months after delivery, usually until you stop breastfeeding. These high prolactin levels can hinder your brain’s production of dopamine, a primary chemical responsible for controlling the brain’s reward system and creating feelings of happiness. Because of this, you may experience a slew of depression-like symptoms for several months after delivery, including irritability, drowsiness, and weight gain.

2. Progesterone

Progesterone allows your body to stretch and shift to accommodate your pregnancy, and it acts as a neutralizer for some of the unpleasant effects of prolactin. Progesterone levels rise during pregnancy but begin to drop immediately after birth. Since it’s no longer there to counteract the prolactin, you’ll notice prolactin symptoms you may not have noticed while you were pregnant. This may amplify feelings of anxiety or depression that were already present. You can work with your physician to ease your transition through this stage.

3. Relaxin

As its name suggests, one of the main functions of relaxin is to promote muscle looseness and body adaptability during pregnancy, keeping ligaments relaxed to prevent premature birth and aid in delivery. Relaxin can remain active in your body for several months after you give birth, which can make your muscles feel weak, shaky, or like gelatin. Until your relaxin levels drop, you’ll be more susceptible to muscle and joint injuries during physical activity, such as sprains or hyperextension. If you’re typically a very active person, consult a trusted physician or gynecology specialist for advice on preventing muscle or joint injuries after childbirth.

At Lexington Family Physicians in Lexington, NC, you’ll receive a high level of care from a skilled team of physicians. Their comprehensive offerings include gynecology services, postpartum depression treatment, and care for sprains and fractures. From your first consultation, your physician will create a personalized care plan to address all of your postpartum concerns to optimize your health. Learn about their medical team on their website or call (336) 249-3329 for an appointment today.