Feeling VERY unwell after labour

[MaverickSnoopy]

3rd baby - bounced back after first 2, although they were mixed fed and so I got a bit more sleep.

Currently about 60 hours post birth. Midwife checked me yesterday and all was fine. Am EBF so no experience of this sort of recovery. Newborn has been feeding all night and not really slept. I've had about 2 hours and feel horrific. Griping pain in tummy, shooting pains up back, as well as period type pain, a bit shaky and curled into a ball from the pain. Bleeding is normal - but have passed one 50p sized clot. Regularly taking paracetamol but they're not doing anything. Feeling very sick.

To confuse matters my older two children were each sick once yesterday (but had no other accompanying symptoms, felt fine and are fine now).

Is this a call the midwife scenario, or is this all normal? Wondering if I'm just massively tired and all the feeding has got my uterus going into overdrive.

[scaredofthecity]

Definitely call the midwife, it could be an infection.

[Efferlunt]

Please call your midwife ASAP. Chances are you’re fine but there are several serious post birth risks and it’s much better to be safe than sorry. No one is going to take risks with a two day post partum mum.

[mayhew]

Two thoughts
: afterpains can be vicious after number three. Often described as worse than labour
: however, it might be a womb infection (endometritis) which needs antibiotics.

I would speak to a doctor today, because midwives cannot prescribe antibiotics.

[scaredofthecity]

Although afterpains are horrific, and they're supposed to get worse each time.


But definitely call, they won't mind

[ContessaGoesAMarching]

Sounds like it could be infected stitches - infected something anyway. The body also does odd things right after birth - my foot swelled up and was dreadful to walk on, so instance!

Do get checked by a doctor

[VelvetReVulva]

I would request you’re checked for sepsis so they take it seriously, it could be an infection.

[Hermagsjesty]

Definitely worth calling the midwife to check. Hope you feel better soon 💐

[LightDrizzle]

You could have the above issues or retained placenta. It’s not worth the risk. Definitely call your midwife. She will refer you to your Dr if you need antibiotics.
Have you checked your temperature? Any fever should be taken very seriously.
Hopefully you are brewing something minor or just suffering after-pains, but women can deteriorate very quickly post-partum from some of the conditions raised here.

[Chinnychinnychinnychib]

Deffo call the midwife. Could be infection. I felt absolutely terrible after number 3 though, as though my body had gone into some sort of shock - unbelievable after pains. Mint tea sort of helped...

[littleducks]

It doesn't sound quite right but like you I'd find it hard to unpick. Are you managing to rest, maybe hard with older two around but sounds like you need to be in bed with baby tbh.

Have you checked your temperature? I would keep an eye on that.

Like @mayhew says after pains pretty horrific with number 3. Are the coinciding with when you bf at all?

I'd chat to MW and call postnatal ward if it gets any worse (if that applies to you locally they would admit you direct if signs of infection appeared here).

[GulliverUnravels]

Midwife here. The afterpains get worse with each subsequent child so can be very intense by the time you're on number 3. Bit of an odd question but did you save the blood clot (e.g. on a pad - harder if it passed straight into the toilet obviously!)? Could be worth getting the midwife out to take a look at it.
Do you have a temperature? Any problems passing urine? Been sick yourself? If yes to any of these, definitely worth calling either the midwife or the GP to be seen today.

[MaverickSnoopy]

Just been and asleep and woken up. Can't really get out of bed and don't really feel up to sitting/feeding but will try. Feeling gutted.

No temperature and didn't have stitches but have just been sick. Passing urine and opening bowels fine with no discomfort at all. Didn't keep the clot as it went down the loo.

Have called the midwife. No answer so left a message and also my DHs number in case I'm asleep. Will try the doctor if no call back.

[MaverickSnoopy]

Meant to add that the pains get worse with feeding, especially prolonged like it was last night. But I'd not fed for a couple of hours and still lots of horrible pain - going from top of bum to half way up my back and across the top of my tummy in a sort of horizontal line. Tummy also very wobbly.

Somehow just managed to sit up to feed but have a bowl next to me just in case.

I wish I had some expressed milk but my milk hasn't even come in yet and I'm only getting tiny amounts of colostrum when hand expressing. She's doing well though - lots of wet and dirty nappies.

[mayhew]

I don't want to alarm you, but I am a midwife and think you should seek medical attention today.
My money is you having endometritis. I think you need to return to maternity triage or A&E for antibiotics.
If this is left untreated, you can get very poorly and will be readmitted to hospital.

[Aprilislonggone]

After dc 4 my after pains were so bad I truly expected to deliver another dc at home alone.
Seek advice though - mw above knows better than other pp's

[befairdontjudge]

How are you?

[MaverickSnoopy]

I've just seen the doctor. I have viral gastroenteritis. She told me to drink lots and lots.

She checked my temperature, oxygen and blood pressure and all is fine in that respect. She checked my tummy and it's as it should be.

We talked everything through and she said that if bleeding gets heavier (it's actually fairly light) or if location of pain changes then to seek further medical support, but she's confident that it's gastroenteritis....which is basically shit when you are trying to recover from birth and establish breastfeeding.

Thanks for all of your help.

[VelvetReVulva]

Hope you’re feeling better now &MaverickSnoopy and able to enjoy your new arrival

[MaverickSnoopy]

Those of you who said endometritis may yet be correct. Pains are worse and I was back in MAU today doubled over. I've been given antibiotics as they suspect endometritis - bloods and swab have been taken and may be being readmitted (will find out tomorrow). In the interim I'm already in hospital as my newborn has been admitted onto another ward very poorly (I have 2 threads running!).

Thanks all you really helped me to get the medical attention I needed.

[VelvetReVulva]

Oh no, I’m so sorry, I will check out your other thread and hope you’re both feeling better soon

[Lougle]

The afterpains after DD3 were absolutely viscious and I wasn't prepared at all for them. They were honestly excruciating and I felt like I was shuddering with the pains during and after feeding. They were much, much worse than labour pains, imo.

[TokyoSushi]

Oh no! Hope you're both much better very soon 

[mayhew]

I'm so sorry it did turn out to be endometritis. I've seen it in clients twice in the last 6 months and both presented just like you, with more painful than expected after pains that didn't improve after the usual first 48 hrs.
Once you start the correct antibiotics, you will feel much better after 24 hrs.
Best wishes to you and your poorly baby.