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Welcoming a baby brings profound changes, some of which may not become apparent until weeks after delivery. Night sweats are one example. “They are caused by hormonal shifts, specifically a drop in estrogen and progesterone,” said Kimberlee Coleman, M.D., an OBGYN at Obstetrics and Gynecology of Southeast Florida, part of Pediatrix® Medical Group. “Night sweats can also be due to the body excreting excess fluid volume from pregnancy,” she said. They can last up to two months, or longer while breastfeeding, but are manageable. Dr. Coleman recommended staying hydrated during the day and, at night, placing a beach towel on top of your bed sheets to absorb the added moisture. Excess fluid from pregnancy and IV fluids administered during labor can also cause significant swelling. “This tends to worsen the first one to two weeks after delivery and then resolves once excreted through urination or sweat,” said Dr. Coleman, who recommended increasing water intake and elevating extremities.
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