2. Unexpected Weight Gain: Beyond Baby Weight
Pregnancy and childbirth bring about many changes in a woman’s body, one of the most noticeable being weight gain. It’s common knowledge that gaining weight during pregnancy is both healthy and necessary, providing the nutrition required for your baby’s growth and development.
Post-delivery, shedding the extra weight is a gradual process that varies for each individual. However, if you find yourself gaining weight post-pregnancy rather than losing, it could be a sign of postpartum thyroiditis.
Weight gain related to postpartum thyroiditis is not your typical “baby weight”. It’s an increase in weight that seems unconnected to your recent pregnancy and persists despite maintaining a balanced diet and regular exercise. This unexpected weight gain can often confuse and frustrate new moms, who may already be dealing with body image issues post-childbirth.
Postpartum thyroiditis can lead to hypothyroidism, a condition characterized by an underactive thyroid. The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces hormones that control your metabolism – the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy.
When your thyroid is underactive, it doesn’t produce enough of these hormones, causing your metabolism to slow down. This slowdown can lead to an increase in weight as your body starts to store more fat.
Recognizing this symptom can be a bit tricky, especially since weight fluctuations are quite standard after childbirth. However, a consistent increase in weight, particularly when combined with some of the other symptoms outlined here, could potentially signal postpartum thyroiditis. (2)
