The Postpartum Side Effect You've Never Heard Of

& Other Common Changes No One Talks About

So here’s the tea: you love your dog. Like, LOVE love. Before baby, they were basically your furry child, your cuddle buddy, your emotional support therapist. But now? You catch yourself side-eyeing them like they just committed a felony.

Their panting is loud. Their fur is everywhere. That wet-dog smell? Suddenly intolerable. You feel annoyed and maybe even a little guilty.

Don’t panic. You’re not a monster. You’re just postpartum. And you’re honestly not alone.

Your Hormones on an Emotional Rollercoaster

After birth, your body basically fires your entire hormonal staff and hires a brand new team overnight. Estrogen and progesterone plummet. Cortisol spikes. Oxytocin tries to keep everyone calm but she’s clearly underpaid.

The result? Big feelings. One minute you’re sobbing over a Pampers commercial. The next, you’re laughing at a burp. Then you’re mad at your partner because they dared to breathe too loudly.

Totally normal. Totally exhausting.

Pet Aversion: The Secret Nobody Warns You About

This one shocks a lot of parents because nobody talks about it. Pet aversion happens when your once-beloved animal suddenly drives you bananas after having a baby. Believe it or not, this isn’t just you being dramatic — it’s biology. Humans are mammals, and after birth our brains go into overdrive, scanning for potential threats and prioritizing the baby above everything else. Your hormones are literally wired to make you hyper-aware, protective, and sometimes a little irrational. Totally normal, totally primal.

Some theories why:

• Your brain is protecting the baby. Anything extra feels like a threat to your sanity, and your biology is aware that your pet is a whole other species, so that's not exactly an advantage. Some pets even feel protective of the new baby too, and some seem to get jealous over baby's extra attention as well. Be sure to keep an eye out for signs of stress in your animal and always supervise them when near baby.

• Your senses are sharper. Smells, sounds, and messes are amplified right now. Their breath, their wet fur, the paw pitter patter, the barking, even the bells on their collar can be enough to throw you into a rage. And don't even get me started on the toy fluff all over the ground and the wet sock you now have from walking near their drinking bowl. Lord have mercy.

• You’re overwhelmed. You went from managing one “baby” to two, and one of them barks at squirrels. Pet care is yet another necessary routine in your life that can add to the feeling of drowning. Once you become aware this is how you're feeling, try to assign pet duties to your partner or older children. Not everything has to be 50/50, they can be the pet caretaker 100% right now if you feel its necessary. No judgement or guilt here. If you need permission here it is!

Good news: it’s usually temporary. Most parents report that, as life stabilizes, the love comes back. You might even miss your dog’s wet nose kisses again. Just… maybe not today.

Relationship Plot Twists

Here’s another thing you might not expect: sometimes you’ll look at your partner (the love of your life, the one who helped make this baby) and feel… irrational rage.

It’s not personal. You’re both tired, you’re both adjusting, and you’re both wondering who swapped your former life for this sleep-deprived circus. Fights over dishes, diaper duty, and who’s “more tired” are common. Spoiler: the answer is both of you.

Pro tip: Skip the argument, order takeout, and agree you’re each running on three brain cells until further notice.

When the Feels Get Too Heavy

There’s a difference between baby blues and postpartum mood disorders, and knowing it matters.

• Baby blues: Crying, irritability, mood swings. Usually fade in about two weeks. Can be your brain still balancing out from the oxytocin highs from right after birth and finally meeting your baby. Can be from mineral and vitamin depletions from birth or throughout pregnancy.

• Postpartum depression/anxiety/OCD: Feelings that are intense, persistent, and interfere with daily life. Can be from mineral and vitamin depletions, birth trauma, life circumstances, sleep deprivation, stress, and personal or family history.

Signs it might be time to ask for help:

• Feeling hopeless or disconnected from your baby

• Constant racing thoughts or panic

• Zero interest in things you used to enjoy

• Struggling to function day-to-day

• Major changes in appetite

If any of this sounds like you, you deserve support — full stop.

How Doulas Are There For You

This is where postpartum doulas become the MVPs. Think of a doula as a mix between a fairy godmother, emotional support hype-woman, and crisis manager who actually knows what they’re doing.

Here’s how we help:

• Listen without judgment when you say “I hate my dog right now”

• Normalize your emotional rollercoaster so you don’t feel broken

• Spot signs of postpartum depression and connect you with resources

• Give you breaks so you can nap, shower, or scroll Instagram in peace

• Offer practical solutions when everything feels overwhelming

We’re the person in your corner when everyone else just says, “Enjoy every moment!” (Spoiler: you are not going to enjoy every moment. And that’s okay.)

The Takeaway

Postpartum throws you curveballs no one warned you about. One day you’re crying into your coffee, the next you’re convinced your dog is plotting against you, and the next you’re laughing because your baby sneezed and farted at the same time.

Whatever you’re feeling, you’re not alone, you’re not broken, and you’re definitely not the only one hiding in the pantry eating snacks while the baby sleeps. The wild ride of postpartum does level out — and having the right support, like a doula, makes all the difference.

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