Pregnancy and motherhood are often described as beautiful, transformative experience; and they absolutely can be. But behind the glowing bump photos and newborn cuddles lies one of the most significant hormonal shifts a woman’s body will ever experience.
As a naturopath, I regularly work with women who tell me:
“I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
“I’m exhausted, anxious, emotional, and I don’t know what’s happening.”
“Everyone talks about the baby, but no one talks about what happens to Mum.”
The truth is, your hormones are doing an extraordinary amount of work during pregnancy and postpartum. Understanding these changes and learning how to support your body can make a meaningful difference to your recovery, energy, mood, and overall wellbeing.
Let’s explore what’s happening behind the scenes.
Hormones act as your body’s chemical messengers. They influence nearly every aspect of your health, including:
During pregnancy and after birth, hormone levels rise and fall dramatically in a relatively short period of time. These changes are completely normal, but they can also create challenges if the body lacks the nutritional resources and support needed to adapt.
Pregnancy is often described as an endocrine masterpiece. Multiple hormones work together to support both mother and baby.
Estrogen levels increase steadily throughout pregnancy, eventually reaching concentrations many times higher than outside of pregnancy.
Estrogen helps:
These rising levels can also contribute to:
While these symptoms are often considered a normal part of pregnancy, they can sometimes be more pronounced when the body’s detoxification and nutrient pathways are under increased demand.
Progesterone rises significantly during pregnancy and plays an essential role in maintaining the uterine lining and preventing premature contractions.
Progesterone also:
However, elevated progesterone can also contribute to:
Cortisol naturally rises during pregnancy.
Although cortisol often gets a bad reputation, it serves important functions, including:
However, prolonged stress and inadequate recovery can place additional pressure on the nervous system and may affect maternal wellbeing.
This is why stress management and nourishment are not luxuries during pregnancy; they are necessities.
The fourth trimester is one of the biggest hormonal transitions a woman’s body experiences. Within the first few days after birth, estrogen and progesterone levels drop dramatically.
Some researchers have described this hormonal transition as one of the most significant endocrine events experienced by humans. At the same time, a mother’s body is adjusting to:
As postpartum hormone levels rapidly change, many mothers experience physical and emotional symptoms during the fourth trimester, including:
While these experiences are common, they should never simply be dismissed. The postpartum period deserves just as much support and care as pregnancy itself.
Growing, birthing, and nourishing a baby is incredibly demanding. Pregnancy and breastfeeding increase requirements for numerous nutrients involved in hormone production and regulation, including:
Zinc
Low zinc status has been associated with fatigue, impaired recovery, and altered immune function. Zinc is essential for supporting:
Omea-3 Fatty Acids
Research suggests adequate omega-3 intake may support maternal mental wellbeing and cognitive health. Omega-3 fats are essential for:
Selenium
Because thyroid health and reproductive hormones are closely interconnected, supporting thyroid function can be particularly important during postpartum recovery. Selenium is crucial for:
Magnesium
Many women enter pregnancy with suboptimal magnesium intake, making replenishment especially important. Magnesium participates in hundreds of biochemical reactions throughout the body and supports:
Seed cycling is traditionally used as a food-first approach to supporting hormone health through different phases of the menstrual cycle. The practice involves rotating nutrient-dense seeds to provide compounds that support healthy hormonal rhythms.
Although seed cycling is not designed to regulate hormones during pregnancy itself, the seeds used in seed cycling provide nutritional benefits that can still be valuable during pregnancy and postpartum as part of a balanced diet.
The table below shows what seeds are on rotation when seed cycling, the nutrients they are rich in as well as what they may support.
| Flax Seeds | Pumpkin Seeds | Sesame Seeds | Sunflower Seeds | |
| Nutrients |
|
|
|
|
| Supporting |
|
|
|
|
Once menstrual cycles begin returning postpartum, some women choose to use seed cycling as a gentle, food-based way to reconnect with their cycles and support hormonal wellbeing. It is also a great way to support milk production for breastfeeding mummas.
As a naturopath, I view seed cycling as one tool within a broader picture of postpartum hormone health.
The foundations always come first:
Because every woman’s postpartum journey is different, a personalised approach is often the most effective.
Eat Regularly: Blood sugar fluctuations can influence energy, mood, and stress resilience.
Prioritise Protein: Protein provides amino acids needed for recovery and hormone function.
Include Healthy Fats: Healthy fats provide building blocks for hormones and support brain health.
Focus on Nutrient Density: Think colourful vegetables, quality proteins, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and mineral-rich foods.
Ask for Support! Motherhood was never meant to be done alone.
Pregnancy changes you, postpartum changes you, and healing takes time. Your body has performed something extraordinary. If you’re feeling depleted, emotional, exhausted, or unlike yourself, you’re not failing. You’re adapting to one of the most demanding physiological transitions of your life.
Supporting your hormone health isn’t about bouncing back. It’s about rebuilding, nourishing, and caring for yourself with the same compassion you give to everyone else.
Every woman’s pregnancy and postpartum journey is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hormone health. If you’d like personalised support, Hiba from Seed Sync offers evidence-informed naturopathic care to help women navigate pregnancy, postpartum and beyond. Find out more about the work of Hiba and Seed Sync Here and Here
You can also explore our directory to find trusted Australian naturopaths, nutritionists and women’s health professionals, making it easier to access the support that’s right for you, wherever you are.
References
Aparicio, E., et al. (2020). Maternal nutrition and postpartum depression: A systematic review. Nutrients, 12(6), 1778.
Bzikowska-Jura, A., et al. (2018). The influence of maternal nutrition on pregnancy and lactation outcomes. Nutrients, 10(9), 1179.
Cai, S., et al. (2022). Selenium and thyroid health during pregnancy and postpartum. Frontiers in Endocrinology, 13, 876665.
Giallo, R., et al. (2020). Maternal fatigue and psychological wellbeing during the transition to parenthood. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20, 541.
Koletzko, B., et al. (2020). Omega-3 fatty acids in pregnancy and lactation. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 76(2), 91-108.
Mousa, A., et al. (2019). The role of magnesium in pregnancy and maternal health. Nutrients, 11(5), 954.
Wilson, R. L., et al. (2021). The physiology of human pregnancy and endocrine adaptations. Physiological Reviews, 101(2), 929-985.
World Health Organization. (2022). WHO recommendations on maternal and newborn care for a positive postnatal experience.
Hiba is a qualified naturopath and the founder of Seed Sync supporting women in navigating their health with a natural, personalised approach. My work focuses on women’s hormonal health across all stages of life, from menstrual cycle concerns and PMS to fertility, postpartum recovery, and perimenopause.
A passionate lifestyle photographer based here in Sydney on the Northern Beaches. I specialise in a wide range of photography. From family portraiture of life's beautiful moments, to helping small businesses create some unique visual content for their online presence.
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