Postpartum Sweats – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Causes of Postpartum Sweats

Post-pregnancy, the hormone levels undergo a lot of changes since the baby is no longer in the uterus and the roles of the hormones change. Postpartum sweating is the result of a decrease in the level of Estrogen. During Pregnancy, the Progesterone and Estrogen levels are usually high. When these hormones reduce suddenly, there will be changes in the body temperature.

Sometimes, these sweats can also result from getting rid of excess fluids. The American Pregnancy Association has mentioned that, during pregnancy, the woman`s body uses an extra 50 per cent of blood and fluids to support the little one`s growth. After the delivery, the fluid is no longer required, and our body needs to get rid of it.

Sweat and urine are the two ways to get rid of excess fluid, and that is why you may find them increasing after delivery. Sometimes, the food and drinks you consume might also be the reason for postpartum night sweats. Including spicy food and coffee in your diet might increase your body temperature and cause sweats. Sweating gets worse if you consume such before going to bed.

If your sweating is due to the above causes, it will resolve on its own. But, if you have any additional symptoms or if you feel irritated and experience disturbed sleep  you should consult a doctor. Sweating can also happen due to the following conditions.

• Hyperthyroidism
• Postpartum Thyroiditis
• Anxiety
• Diabetes
• Infection
• Hypoglycemia

Getting checked at the earliest is vital to rule out the above conditions.

Symptoms of Postpartum Sweats

The obvious symptom of postpartum sweats is you will experience night sweating. Other symptoms include

• Frequently waking up at night.
• Drenched and soaked feeling
• Tiredness
• Strong body odour
• Irritation

When do Postpartum Sweats Start?

You might begin experiencing postpartum sweats within a few weeks after delivery. Sometimes, the sweats may begin immediately after the delivery and may increase in the upcoming weeks. If you breastfeed for longer, your postpartum sweats might extend longer.

How to Deal With Night Sweats After Pregnancy?

Though postpartum sweats are annoying, you can follow some home remedies to deal with them.

• You can try keeping your body cool, which helps in reducing sweat.

At night, you can try.

• Using air conditioner
• Lightweight bed sheets
• Open windows for better airflow
• Use stand fans along with the ceiling fan
• The excess fluid in the body comes out after delivery, and you might end up dehydrated. Making sure you drink lots of water and fluid will keep your body fresh.
• Place some soft towels on your pillow and rubber sheets under your bedspread to ease the discomfort of sweats during the night. This also saves you from washing the bedlinen every morning.
• Wear loose and cotton material.
• You can also sprinkle some talc before you go to sleep. Talc helps absorb the excess moisture in the body and avoids heat rashes.
• Avoid drinking coffee, especially at night.

How do you know if you are dehydrated? If your pee is a pale-yellow color, you are hydrated. If your pee is dark and scanty, you are dehydrated.

When to Consult a Doctor?

Though postpartum sweats are common, your doctor might need to intervene in certain situations.

Postpartum sweats can be due to infections, especially if your night sweats are followed by fever. Your doctor will conduct tests to rule out the possibility of these sweats being due to an infection.

If you are taking medicines for any other underlying conditions like thyroid or diabetes, they may give you a lot of sweat. The doctors might have to check the hormone levels after delivery to adjust the medicine intake to save you from postpartum sweats.

Postpartum sweats go away when the hormonal levels are back to normal. If you feel irritated, have trouble sleeping, or have other anxiety and emotional problems, make sure you talk to your doctor, and they may prescribe medicines that can help you out in the long run.

If you plan to take natural medicines, make sure you talk to your doctor before consuming them. Consuming natural medicines without doctor consultation is not safe, especially during breastfeeding.

Patience is the key. The sweats started on their own and will go away on their own. If you are struggling with patience and sweats, talk to your doctor, and a simple consultation might give you a great solution.

Postpartum already involves a lot of night waking up to feed, comfort, and change your newborn, and the sweats are going to add to the list. If you have heavy sweats or long-lasting sweats, especially during the nights, make sure you talk to your doctor and get a solution.

Your body is in the recovery phase from pregnancy to postpartum, and it will be back to normal very soon. Keep up your patience and cope with the postpartum sweats. Take care of yourself and the little one. I hope you will get back to normal very soon.

FAQ’s

1. Is it Normal to be Sweaty Postpartum?

Yes. It is entirely normal to feel sweaty postpartum. During pregnancy, our body secretes many hormones to enhance the growth of the baby. Once the delivery is done, the hormones are secreted in excess levels for a few days. That is why women sweat a lot in the immediate weeks after delivery. The sweaty postpartum will end on its own once the hormones are back to normal.

2. Does Breastfeeding Raise Body Temperature?

Yes. Oxytocin is responsible for enhancing breastmilk production. The pituitary glands produce it in the brain, which plays a vital role in increasing the body temperature during breastfeeding. Though it is responsible for breastmilk production, it has a much larger role in the human body. Oxytocin is known as the mother hormone, an anti-stress hormone, love hormone, and bonding hormone.

3. How Long do Postpartum Night Sweats Last?

The postpartum night sweats may last for a few weeks until the hormones are back to normal. Until then, stay patient and keep your body cool and hydrated.