Shakes

During her daughter’s first month, Anya Meyerowitz struggled with “suddenly feeling weak and shaky”.

“My hands would shake and my heart would go quite fast,” the 33-year-old mum recalls. “The shakes would pass within 10 minutes and felt similar to having low blood sugar. If I was holding the baby, I had to pass her over and go and sit outside to get some air – my husband would bring me water and help settle me.”

Postpartum fatigue, which affects up to 64% of new mums, could very well have been the reason for Anya’s sudden onset of weakness and shaking. But Darcey Croft, a specialist midwife and founder of Mothermind, says that many women experience postpartum shaking or chills shortly after giving birth.

“It is characterised by temporary, uncontrollable shaking or trembling,” she explained. “This condition is commonly observed in maternity, yet its exact causes are not fully understood.”

She says one of the primary theories revolves around the hormonal changes and fluid shifts that occur during delivery. “The labour and delivery process is akin to an intense workout, leading to significant physical exertion and hormonal fluctuations. These changes can trigger postpartum shaking and elevated heart rate as the body adjusts post-delivery.”

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