Postpartum Hormone Shifts: What’s Really Happening in Your Body and How to Heal Holistically
By Dee Davidson, Board Certified Functional Health Practitioner
Let’s be honest: you just grew a human — and now your body doesn’t feel like yours.
Maybe your moods are swinging.
Maybe you’re weepy, wired, or exhausted.
Maybe you feel totally out of sync with your body — like your hormones have gone haywire.
You’re not crazy. You’re not broken.
You’re just postpartum. And your body is navigating a massive hormonal shift that deserves more understanding and support than it often gets.
As a functional health practitioner, I work with many women navigating this sacred (and often overwhelming) chapter. The good news? There is hope. You can feel better, and there are real, science-backed ways to rebalance your hormones and rebuild your vitality — gently, naturally, and holistically.
What’s Going on with Your Hormones Postpartum?
When you give birth, your body goes through the biggest hormonal shift of your life — even bigger than puberty or menopause.
Here’s what typically happens:
Estrogen & Progesterone Crash
These hormones, which were sky-high during pregnancy, drop dramatically after delivery. This sharp decline can lead to mood swings, night sweats, anxiety, or depression — even if you’ve never had those symptoms before.
Oxytocin & Prolactin Fluctuate
If you’re breastfeeding, your body is flooded with prolactin to stimulate milk production and oxytocin to help with bonding. These hormones can affect your stress response, sleep patterns, and even appetite.
Cortisol & Stress Response Spike
Sleep deprivation, healing from labor, and navigating new motherhood all stress the adrenal system. Your cortisol, or stress hormone, may be on overdrive — leaving you feeling tired but wired, inflamed, or emotionally overwhelmed.
Thyroid Function May Shift
Some women experience postpartum thyroid issues, like postpartum thyroiditis, which can cause fatigue, hair loss, anxiety, or weight changes. This is often missed in traditional care unless you know what to test for.
It’s Not Just Hormones — It’s Your Whole System
Here’s the part that often gets overlooked:
Pregnancy and childbirth don’t just deplete your hormones — they drain your minerals, disrupt your gut, deplete your mitochondrial energy, and push your nervous system into survival mode.
This is why I take a whole-body, root-cause approach with every postpartum client.
Because true healing isn't just about balancing estrogen — it’s about replenishing the vital reserves you gave to grow and nourish a baby. I love the HTMA test to see where these vital voids may be! Order yours here.
How Functional Lab Testing Helps
In my practice, I often use functional lab tests to get the full picture of what’s happening under the surface, including:
The DUTCH hormone test to evaluate estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, and melatonin
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) to see where you’re depleted in essential minerals like magnesium, potassium, and sodium
GI MAP stool test to assess your gut health, inflammation, and potential post-birth imbalances
Sleep, blood sugar, nervous system regulation — all explored through symptoms and daily habits
There Is Hope — and a Path Back to You
If you feel like your body is foreign…
If your energy is low, your moods are unpredictable, or your weight won’t budge…
If you’re overwhelmed by all the things you’re “supposed” to do…
Let’s simplify and support you at the root.
I help postpartum women not just rebalance their hormones, but rebuild their entire foundation — body, mind, and minerals — so they can feel steady, clear, and strong again.
This isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about coming home to yourself—the woman who just created life and now deserves full-body nourishment and radical care.
Ready to Begin?
I’d love to support you. Whether you’re six weeks or six years postpartum, your healing is valid — and it’s never too late to reset your hormones and rebuild your reserves.
Click here to schedule a 1:1 consult with me and let’s map out a personalized path to your healing.
You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here — with science, soul, and a whole lot of compassion.
Dee Davidson, FDN-P is a Board Certified Functional Health Practitioner specializing in hormone balance, gut health, and mineral restoration. Through advanced functional lab testing and root-cause protocols, she helps women reclaim their energy, vitality, and confidence—naturally. Dee’s signature approach blends science-backed data with soul-led support, empowering clients to understand their bodies and heal from the inside out.