Why You Should Get Your Hormone Levels Tested After Postpartum

My Postpartum Journey: 9 Months In

Postpartum is such a unique journey. No two experiences are the same, even for the same mom. This time around has been so different for me ,and honestly, it’s been the hardest.

I’ve been doing the “right things.” I get outside and walk. I’ve added in some light workouts (I’ll share some videos in this post!). Baby Randy sleeps pretty well. He wakes up a couple of times to nurse and goes right back down. We don’t follow the traditional “bedtime at 7, wake at 7” routine; he usually takes two naps (one around 12 and one around 5–6), then goes down for the night around 10 or 11. This is what works for us and our routine.

But even with that, I’m still not getting restful sleep. Our 4-year-old is afraid of the dark and wakes up when her nightlight shuts off. Like clockwork, exactly at the 8-hour mark. Add in the occasional bed-wetting, and let’s just say mama and daddy are not getting a full night’s sleep.

Why I Got My Levels Tested

Despite walking, working out, and doing “all the things,” I wasn’t losing weight. I felt sluggish. Mentally and physically drained. Like I was constantly dragging my body through the day. At the same day some days just went by so fast I didn’t even know what day it was. At first, I brushed it off as “mom life,” “maybe this is just what having 3 kids is like?’ “Is this just normal postpartum life?”

I decided to go to our natural family doctor and get my bloodwork done., and really wish I would have done it sooner.

• My testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen were super low
• My iron saturation was also very low
• My glucose was very high

Those numbers made everything click. It wasn’t that I wasn’t trying hard enough—it was that my body literally didn’t have what it needed to function properly. It explained that my new “mom pooch” is more like a hormonal belly.

Ladies, if you’re feeling off, don’t ignore it. Get your levels checked. Sometimes the missing piece isn’t more workouts or stricter diets, it’s knowing what your body is lacking so you can actually support it.

Life Beyond Postpartum

It hasn’t just been about the baby or my body. A lot has happened outside of my little bubble, and that’s played a huge role in my postpartum journey too.

• My grandmother, Gma who I spent so much time with during pregnancy, had to be moved into a memory care home. She doesn’t recognize anyone anymore, repeats the same sentence over and over like she’s trapped in a memory. It’s heartbreaking to see. And it’s made me even more determined to research and take care of my health—especially brain health.
• Shortly after we found out we were pregnant, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, she is now 100% clear after surgery and radiation—praise the Lord! But that was a heavy journey to walk through.
• My husband is very protective of my mental health in general, but especially during pregnancy. There are several studies out about stress in pregnant mothers and how that affects their unborn baby. One of those things being ADHD.
• On top of all that, there have been difficult family relationships to navigate, and my husband and I are constantly working together to raise our kids intentionally, breaking cycles of generational dysfunction.

It’s exhausting sometimes. But mental health is just as important as physical health. If I don’t face these things and do the work, I’ll just keep passing those patterns down, and I refuse to let that happen.

Moving Forward

Now that I have answers from my bloodwork, I feel hopeful. I can start addressing my deficiencies, focus on healing, and begin to rebuild—not just for weight loss, but for clarity, energy, and longevity.

I’ve birthed three children. This body is amazing, and I want to be proud of it. My journey might look different than yours, but if you take away anything from this post, let it be this:

• Give yourself grace.
• Don’t compare your journey.
• Listen to your body, and test when things don’t feel right.

Postpartum is long. It’s messy. But it’s also beautiful.

And mamas, you’re not alone. 💛

Amia,

The Kickboxing Mommy