Worried that I’m so tired still 10 weeks postpartum

[ActonBell]

I know the title sounds a bit crazy but this time around I have a baby who sleeps. With my first I was knackered but he was waking every hour in the night for months. DS2 by contrast is doing 3 and 4 hour stretches at night plus DH is helping loads. But I’m still shattered by lunchtime every day.

Normally baby sleeps 10.30-2.30 or 3.30 and is up for an hour or so then back down until 6/7. DH takes him at 6 if we wakes up then and I get another hour or more at that point.
With a baby who actually sleeps I expected to be tired but not completely exhausted every day.

DS1 (4) is at school and is generally quite good at entertaining himself, when he’s not having a meltdown.

I had a postpartum haemorrhage but my iron tests were good so I don’t think I’m anaemic. I am breastfeeding.

Is it just a case of being oldish (I’m 38) and it being exhausting having two kids? I don’t feel like I’ve ever been this tired in my life. DH is starting to feel a bit fed up with me being so shattered I think.

Bump

It’s exhausting looking after two kids. The gp can do you a full blood count plus iron, thyroid and vitamins to check

It is exhausting, but if you had a PPH it can really wipe you. Could you ask the doctor for some iron tablets?

I had a pph with dc3 and it really wiped me out - bearing in mind I was fine after an emcs with dc1. They said my iron levels were ok too.

Push for more blood tests just to rule anything out.

Thanks all.
We also had covid last month and although I feel like I’m over it maybe that could have something to do with it?

The thing that’s really worrying me is that I had gestational diabetes and I’m wondering if this tiredness could be a symptom of type 2 diabetes.

Thyroid! Classic post-partum thyroid weirdness? Worth a check

OP, I has GD too and you should have a fasting glucose test arranged by your GP at 6-13 weeks pp to exclude diabetes type 2. Definitely ring them up.

I had it and apparently it was fine, but I'm really exhausted too and might push for more blood tests. I have a 6mo DS (born when I was 34) and never felt more exhausted than since he's been born, and he's been a pretty good sleeper too. Following your thread with interest. Hope you feel better soon

Had*

Also you should be having annual glucose tests for life now. Did your diabetes team not tell you any of this?

Go to your GP and ask if they will investigate.

Good luck.

@PurplePansy05 - thanks. They did say I should have the test after birth but were quite vague about how it would be arranged so I was just getting to the point where I thought I should actively look into it to see if it’s something I need to book around now.

@ActonBell It's very annoying but unfortunately it's on you to arrange via your GP. GP referred me to my local hospital then and in the usual way, I had to fast on the day before the test, not eat or drink from 10pm the night before, you know the drill.

Even more annoyingly, you'll need to arrange your annual tests in the same way too. My GP advised to do it around your DC's birthday, this way you'll never forget.

Good luck! Let us know how you get on xx