Postpartum Sweating: How Long Postpartum Night Sweats Last? Remedies

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Most women experience sweating after delivery. Sweating is nothing serious at this stage. Sweating occurs after delivery and lasts for a few weeks.

Postpartum sweating generally occurs at night after delivery, as the pregnancy hormones secrete extra body from the body. This water was stored by the body during pregnancy [1].

What Is Postpartum Sweating?

When you sweat excessively after giving birth, you are experiencing postpartum sweating or postpartum night sweats. Despite the possibility of sweating during the day, most sweating occurs at night. Following a few weeks of postpartum sweating typically subsides on its own [2].

What Causes Postpartum Sweating?

During pregnancy, hormone levels are high, but after you give birth, hormone levels decline, resulting in postpartum night sweats. It is this fluctuation of hormone levels that causes the body to attempt to regulate itself that causes postpartum sweats [3].

What Are The Signs Of Postpartum Sweating?

When a woman wakes up from sleep drenched or soaked in sweat, this is a clear sign or symptom of postpartum night sweats. It may keep her awake at night and leave her tired and irritable in the morning.

Furthermore, postpartum night sweats can result in body odor and excessive sweating. They occur in the first six weeks following giving birth, or during the postpartum period.

Is Postpartum Sweating Normal?

There is no doubt that postpartum night sweats are a normal and natural response to changing hormone levels. It is common for women to wake up sweaty in the first few weeks following the birth of a child.

Some research has suggested that 35% of women who have given birth claim to suffer from postpartum night sweats [4].

Is it common for postpartum sweats to last for a long period of time?

For the first two weeks after giving birth, postpartum night sweats are typically the worst. In general, postpartum sweating shouldn't last more than six weeks. It takes your body a few weeks to return to its pre-pregnancy hormone levels. Once this is complete, night sweats typically cease.

Postpartum night sweats are more likely to last if you are breastfeeding, because breastfeeding reduces oestrogen levels. Low oestrogen levels can cause postpartum night sweats to last longer [5].

Remedies For Postpartum Sweating

During postpartum, sweating at night can be a bothersome symptom. Some recommendations for relieving sweating include the following [6]:

• To absorb sweat, place a bath towel under your body.
• Make use of cotton sheets, which are more breathable and cooler than other materials.
• Open your windows or use a fan to circulate cool air.
• Wear cotton or silk pajamas at night.
• To prevent sweat from accumulating on your pillow, use a second pillowcase.
• Make sure your mattress is protected from sweat by placing a waterproof mattress underneath your sheets.

On A Final Note...

It is unlikely that postpartum night sweats are a sign of anything serious. However, if you experience fever, chills, or pain, you should see your healthcare provider immediately.