Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me? Night Sweats

December 13, 2007

I had visions of my pregnancy and postpartum life. For the most part, my pregnancy went according to plan. The latter, not so much.

I sort of expected that I wouldn't get much sleep and that my body would be somewhat deranged from the birthing process, but I did not know that I would wake up (during the precious sleep, I did get) in a pool of my own sweat.

The book, How to Make a New Mother Happy ($11), talks about this very issue. It says:

"New mothers generally suffer from night sweats due to the drastic drop in estrogen levels immediately after delivery."

I found it helpful to keep a towel in bed with me and sleep in lightweight clothes. It finally went away, but I was happy to know I wasn't the only one waking up drenched.

7 Comments

JudyRie 5 years 22 weeks

I had horrible night sweats the first few nights after my first was born, but none at all with my second and third. I've talked to others with similar experiences, and one of the things we had in common was receiving fluid through an IV with the one where we had the night sweats, and not with others. Don't know if there's anything to that, but it was my experience. Another benefit I found of a low-intervention natural birth. :)

JudyRie 5 years 22 weeks

I had horrible night sweats the first few nights after my first was born, but none at all with my second and third. I've talked to others with similar experiences, and one of the things we had in common was receiving fluid through an IV with the one where we had the night sweats, and not with others. Don't know if there's anything to that, but it was my experience.Another benefit I found of a low-intervention natural birth. :)

macgirl 5 years 23 weeks

Wow it has been a long time... I don't remember this at all. Really glad you posted this as I would have freaked out that I was dying or something ;-)

sweetnsour 5 years 23 weeks

wow...i'll have to check this out. i deliver in july.

rgrl 5 years 23 weeks

OMG did I have this, and it drove me crazy! I also used to get them before periods sometimes (before I had a child) . Horrible!!! Oh, and I have those pajamas someone mentioned, didn't really work for me.

gingereg 5 years 23 weeks

If you don't already have NiteSweatz (the sleepwear/loungewear) they are a good investment. I got them for my best friend after she had her baby and she lived in them. They have some newer styles now that are very cute and they are SO comfy. They help to wick away any kind of moisture at night.

Greggie 5 years 23 weeks

One thing I learned with my first pregnancy/delivery: read up on menopause symptoms. Because you're likely to get all of them, including night sweats and hot flashes.

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