Forum Not feeling well.

Hormones after childbirth

6 replies

Martina
Hi mamas! I gave birth on April 16th to a lovely little girl. She hardly ever cries, has been sleeping through the night since week two... I have nothing to complain about when it comes to her. I also have a 6-year-old son and a sweetheart of a partner. My labor was painless and quick (I had an epidural), I didn't get any postpartum blues, and the time after was super happy. But around four months postpartum, everything suddenly became too much for me: obligations, housework, everything, even though I thought everything was going super well. I was just complaining because I couldn't handle it. Last month, 5 days after my period, I suddenly felt a bit anxious, but it was short-lived. This month, again 5 days after my period, I became anxious again, culminating in an anxiety/panic attack one evening. Last month my period came on the 24th day, and this month on the 36th day. I feel very insecure, currently slightly anxious with palpitations. I drink relaxation tea and valerian drops when needed. My thyroid is fine and I don't have a vitamin D deficiency either. After a half-hour walk, I feel exhausted, and even at home when I'm doing something for a little while. Then my body feels heavy, I get painful and watery eyes, and I feel completely drained, as if I've done heavy physical work all day. Does anyone relate to this? Is this part of the postpartum adjustment? It seems like a burnout and unbalanced hormones to me. Has anyone else experienced this around 6 months postpartum? By the way, I don't feel sad or depressed. Thanks in advance!

Replies

  1. floydi #2

    Hi girl, I got this at 10 weeks pregnant and still do. I'd seek help and start with the GP. Hormones, pff, what do you do with them! Strength.
  2. Martina started this #3

    Hi Floidy! Thanks for your reply! That's so awful that it's taking so long. I have an appointment on Monday with the practice support worker from the GGZ and then with my GP. I find this absolutely terrible. My boyfriend even had to take time off work to help me at home. He has to go back to work on Monday, and I feel so incredibly insecure. All sorts of worst-case scenarios are running through my head, and at times I'm scared it'll get worse. Ugh! How are you coping with this? Are you getting help at home, or are you managing on your own?
  3. floydi #4

    Hi
    Yeah, things at home are a bit up and down but mostly pretty good. I actually get restless and panicked when I'm out and about. Doing things is just not fun anymore, always so much tension. I'm now working from home temporarily because it was no longer possible to travel there and feel so much stress. I get help from the maternity clinic specifically for pregnant women with these kinds of issues. Your GP knows about it as well.
    Also, I'm doing a lot of exercises and trying to regain trust in myself and my body, but it's hard work and a tough period.
  4. Betty Guest #5

    Sounds like a burnout to me too. I'm also dealing with postpartum blues. Is it really fluctuating that much? For me, it's good for a few days and then not so much. It's really good that you've sought help. For me, the balance between energy-giving things and things that drain energy was completely off, which caused my energy to slowly slip away. It's just tough with a little one who sometimes needs to be tied to you, and you always have to take your little one into account. I wish you a speedy recovery, hopefully you'll slowly but surely get better!
  5. Martina started this #6

    Hi Floydi! I completely understand. It’s really tough, especially when fear of fear creates a vicious cycle that’s hard to break. It also shakes your confidence, making you feel insecure, which makes it harder to fight back, stay strong, and feel good. I hope you get good support and that it goes away soon and never comes back!
  6. Martina started this #7

    Hi Betty! I've had this for the second month in a row now, and it starts on the fifth day of my period. The first time it only lasted a day or two, but now it's been six days and it's also more intense. I think it might be a burnout for me too, and that hormones during menstruation (or actually right after it ends) make those symptoms worse. When did it start for you? Also around 6 months? Cycle-related or not? Have you sought any help for this yet?

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