Can't physically make myself eat 11 days after birth

[Toli]

Hi,

I'm taking two sets of really strong antibiotics for an infection but I've physically not been able to force myself to eat for three days and (tmi alert) I've not been able to have a bowel movement for about 5 days. I feel sick and food is making me gag. Gave birth 11 days ago. I don't know if it's the side affects of the antibiotics but I'm breastfeeding and worried that there's not enough substance to my milk because I'm only taking in water/juice. Should I talk to someone about it (if so, who?) or is it just the antibiotics and it'll pass? Any advice appreciated, thank you x

I wasn't discharged from MW until 28 days although I had the HV visiting from 14 days.

@Bearfrills was it for a similar reason?

I developed sepsis when DD was five days old due to retained placental tissue so was in hospital for a week on IV antibiotics, fluids, and antiemetics then had ten days of oral antibiotics at home. DD was jaundiced and lost over 10% of her weight (8lb 14oz at birth down to 7lb 4oz at five days old) so went back in with me. The MW didn't discharge me until I was off the antibiotics and DD was feeding and gaining weight at a steady rate.

You must tell your midwife. My DIL was under midwife and health visitor for a while because she was unwell.

Yes please do tell someone. You should try and drink an electrolyte drink.

Is it flagyl you're taking? It can make you feel really disgusting.

It is routine to discharge to the health visitors after 14 days but if you aren’t recovering routinely, they may want to keep you on a bit longer or to refer you to another team, as well as the HV.

I'm taking metronidazole and co-amoxiclav.

Thanks everyone, I'll let her know tomorrow at my app.

Discharge for MW / switch to HV varies by area.

The antibiotics and constipation will both be contributing to the lack of appetite. Can someone get to the chemist for you? Buy some dulcoease (stool softeners) and glycerine suppositories. Take the softeners and drink as much water as you can. Then tomorrow try using the glycerine suppository - they just make it easier to pass what’s there by softening it.

If that doesn’t work you may need a stimulant laxative but speak to your doctor about that.

This bit worries me: I'm overweight (12st 7lb) and seeing the scale go down makes me want to eat even less than I already do

I have a history of eating disorders and felt like this after a stomach bug last year. It’s not a good way to think, especially when you’re trying to sustain yourself and a baby. Please talk to your MW about this.

Glycerin suppositories are good, get them in Boots. You might feel like eating once you've cleared out so to speak.

It's a bit worrying you saying you don't want to eat though. Do you have an ED?

You must mention this to the MW. Why don't you want to bother them,that's what they're there for?!

I rang them so much this pregnancy for any slight thing and want to stop being a bother. I will mention it tomorrow but I think it can wait until then (?). Other than that, I know I'm overweight and want to lose weight, so even though I can't eat, I don't want to either.

What are you taking to address your constipation?

I would speak to a HV but if it's any consolation, I had an easy birth and also breastfed but despite this my appetite took ages to come back and I lost a lot of weight!

Don't worry about your milk, as PP have said so long as you are drinking enough fluids your body will usuallytake what the baby needs from your body: assume midwives are happy witl LO weight?

However this sounds miserable for you. It is very likely that the antibiotics are contributing to this - some of them make some people feel wretched. So it may not fuly go away till you ahve completed the course - it can ease though - fingers crossed.

IF you think there is poo in there that is stuck, you definitely want to tackle that urgently as is will be getting harder and harder [sorry!] so ask your midwife today (ask today so you can get hold of some before surgeries close for weekend etc), and as PPs have said , OTC glycerin suppositories are a godsend. I have used them without a softener and although it can bloody hurt (depending on what's stuck in there!) , they do shift the poo! Best of luck!

If you don't eat, you'll possibly end up looking a wreck with dark circles under your eyes, spots, and lank hair - like as not. Believe us you need plenty of energy if you want to enjoy your LO to the full. But I'm talking abbout protein vitamins and minerals. Now is a great time to eat healthily as you can get totally in the habit of healthy eating for when the baby sarts to eat solids as well. Start as you mean to go on

And of course, if the baby goes on taking from your body, your muscles and bones will be depleted too. Nothing to worry about for a week or so, but longer term - bad news!!

I don't really know what to think anymore tbh
Midwife came today- not my usual one but I have met her before. Only spoke to her for about five minutes and I tried explaining I'm not eating or feel like I'm coping too well with my milk supply and his feeding (really bad tongue tie) but she just said keep trying and discharged me. Maybe it's normal then?

Just feel a bit lost and left to get on with it

It's not normal and her advice to just keep trying is, frankly, shit. If it was as simple as just keep trying there wouldn't ever be anyone struggling.

Is there a contact number? You could call and speak to whoever is on duty, tell them how you're feeling and that you're not happy with her "advice". Or you could see your own GP on Monday if you feel able to wait until then.

Maybe the GP would be the best bet

Oh you poor thing - I think you do need more support and advice and that midwife was just a bit crap. You know the waitress who spills soup down your top and the hairdresser who messes up your highlights - this is the midwife version.

Could you perhaps phone 111 and ask for advice.

For eating - what about something like a little bit of soup or yoghurt - they will both just slip down without you having to actively eat them. Or a smoothie perhaps? Or a drink of milk?