AIBU in my expectations of recovery from childbirth or am I just lazy?

[WestieMamma]

Because I really don't have a clue about what is 'normal'.

I had my baby two and half weeks ago. It was very quick (had to call an ambulance and he was born out in the street as I clung to back of it). No stitches, no tearing, basically as easy as I could imagine childbirth could be.

But I still feel utterly exhausted and can't seem to get myself in gear to do anything and I feel like a complete lazy, useless lump. Baby is feeding about every 4 hours, so only wakes once during the night. My husband gets up with him in the morning and deals with him for a couple of hours in the afternoon. So it's not like I'm short of time to sleep.

Plus my husband and daughter (19) are doing all the meals, most of the washing and much of the housework. So I really have no excuse as all I do is feed the baby and rock him to sleep. I've just got up after a 2 hour afternoon sleep and I'm just as tired as when I went to lie down. I don't think it helps that I'm still in a lot of pain with PGP, although no where near as bad as before birth. But still I've done bugger all. :(

If you have help, take it, for as long as you need it. My partner worked for himself after the birth of our ds, so had to go back the day I came home after elcs. I was shattered and had no other support and 4 other children under 10 and breastfed. I would've killed for a 19 yr old to help me out. You are very lucky, enjoy your baby and congratulations.

Dare I ask your age? if you have 19yo that probably puts you at 40 or thereabouts. Of course you aren't going to spring back in the same way you did when you were 20 odd.

Def get your iron checked, and also your thyroid. I was told that after birth your thyroid can go a bit loopy and often can be mistaken for the baby blues as it can affect your mood.
Congrats on your baby! I am a bit older than you and my baby is just three weeks so pretty close to you.
Finding the sunshine a big help, maybe do a bit of sunbathing?

Think of it like this - getting your appendix removed with key hole surgery is 6 weeks off work to recover! You've just pushed a MASSIVE baby out of your downstairs (no matter what size the baby is, it's still freaking huge compared to what normally comes out of there)

Go with the flow, relax and don't feel guilty if you are doing everything you need to... Are you and your baby fed and warm? If so you're doing a great job!!! (My baby is also 2 weeks old )