To be panicking that I'm ill?

[sillygoof]

Background - I've just had a baby, 5 weeks ago.

Yesterday and today I've been having period type pains, which I Ignored to start with but haven't gone away, are a bit worse.

I've been panicking about it so I called the post natal ward and she said it's not too early for it to be a period (although I'm not bleeding). She asked if I was feeling ill in any other way, I said no other than tiredness (which is understandable!). I was feeling sick but I put that down to anxiety about being ill.

Since then I've been sick and had to run to the loo a couple of times. I feel really weak too.

I'm just being a hypochondriac, aren't I?! I think I'm panicking that if I'm ill, it will ruin Christmas for my little ones.

AIBU to ask you to reassure me that this is just the start of my first post baby period, and that I'll be ok??

[sillygoof]

Reading this back, it seems so pathetic! I'm just so hormonal and stressed, and I feel like shit, I just can't tell if it's illness or anxiety or period.

[Lilaclily]

Surely if you've been sick and got diarrhoea you've got a sickness bug?

[sillygoof]

TMI - it's not diarrhoea, and when I feel anxious I do go to the loo a lot. I was only sick once and it wasn't that bad if you see what I mean. I'm desperate for it not to be a bug!

[Rosae]

I would call the post natal unit again with the new symptom of being sick and see what they say. Do you have a temperature?

[sillygoof]

Temperature's normal

[yorkshapudding]

Maybe you've just worked yourself up until you've been sick with the worry of it all. Maybe it's your period..Maybe you've eaten something dodgy. Maybe you've picked up a bit of a bug. You may never know which! But whichever it is, it will be ok. Whatever it is will pass and even if it's a tummy bug, you will be over the worst of it by morning. Is there someone at home who can help out with the little ones and give you a break?

[theconstantinoplegardener]

Could it be an upset stomach? Have you had any diarrhoea?

Also, what is your temperature? Any pain on passing urine? How about unusual/unpleasant smelling discharge?

[sillygoof]

Thank you all for coming to my aid! Loads of help with the kids. No temp, wee is fine and I'm getting discharge but I haven't quite stopped post natal bleeding if you see what I mean, it's the end of that. It doesn't smell.

I do think I might be working myself up and that's why I was sick, but I'm scared it's more! I'm such a hypochondriac.

[Chocolateteabag]

Lots of water and deep breaths - can you get out for a quick 5 min walk? Because if you still feel ill after that then would guess you are getting a bug and nit just over tired/stressed etc.
Think positive but try to take it easy, nothing needs tidying up, nothing "extra" just try to rest as much as you can and get to bed asap

[Missdread]

Do keep an eye on it OP and go back to the maternity ward/GP if you notice any unpleasant or unusual odour. It could be a sign of retained products becoming infected which can be very nasty. Try not to worry though: chances are it's nothing serious.

[Chocolateteabag]

Nit? Not! ( nits here so I have them on the brain not on my head at least)

I get psychosomatic sickness when dc are ill or I hear there is a bug going about - my stomach starts churning and that's it. But a walk outside really helps to split real sick from in-my-head sick

[sillygoof]

I did go for a walk and felt ok while I was out but then when I got back I felt sick again and weak - which is making me think it's anxiety?

[PlugUgly1980]

Honestly, you know yourself, if you're worried phone 111 and they will discuss symptoms and if necessary arrange out of ours Drs appointment. I did develop an infection with cramping pains this time last year but my baby was just a few days old, I soldiered on believing it was normal to feel like I did after having a baby, with midwifes and family telling me I was bound to feel rough after having a baby and that I was being overly anxious. (He was my second and I knew myself I never felt that unwell with my first, but tried to convince myself every birth is different) In the end I saw OOH GP on Boxing Day who suspected urine infection, I soldiered on another couple of weeks and in the end when LB was nearly 4 weeks old was admitted by A&E on to the gynaecology ward with an infection (I was still bleeding at this point). First Dr I saw said maybe my period returning, but second wasn't convinced. They did an ultrasound to check for retained products as a precaution. It showed nothing, but blood tests showed infection so they gave me a double course of antibiotics. The difference in 48hours was amazing! You might be being anxious, but it does no harm at all to ring 111 and if nothing else might set your mind at rest.

[sillygoof]

Oh god, I hope it's not an infection! I've felt fine until today (apart from the period type pain yesterday).

[PlugUgly1980]

If you feel otherwise well in yourself, then probably not! Was more trying to say, trust your instinct and if you do feel worse phone 111. Hope you're feeling better tomorrow!

[ScarlettDarling]

Op I always get anxious at Christmas and before holidays about me or the dc being ill. Every twinge, headache, tummy rumble etc has me panicking. My dd didn't eat much for dinner yesterday and I was convinced she was coming down with something and Christmas would be ruined. Of course the sensible part of me was saying that it was because they'd been eating the Christmas party leftovers at school all afternoon so of course she didn't want her paprika chicken!!

My dh helps to keep me grounded. He just says "Well there's nothing we can do about it, and if we are ill we'll have another Christmas in a couple of days time." But I can't shake the anxiety totally.

I'm sure you're fine op. You've just had a baby! You must be exhausted and your hormones are all over the place. And tbh, even if you are poorly, your dc probably wouldn't notice as long as santa has been! Be kind to yourself and try to relax a little. Big hug xx