Dizziness after childbirth, anyone else?

[strawberrycake]

My LO is 11 days old and over the course of the day dizziness has set in. It started off as feeling a little swimmy when standing and now I feel sick and faint. I'm scared to pick up baby as so unstable/ worried I could go over. Is this a normal stage? Will it pass or should I get it checked out?

Get it checked out especially iron levels.Take care.

I strongly recommend you get it checked out asap

Get your iron levels checked. I was anaemic post birth and was so dizzy it was horrid. Are you eating well, getting sleep (I know, I know!) and hydrated?

Do you feel feverish at all? Any signs of infection? Anaemia will wait till tomorrow but post childbirth infection won't. What is your lochia like - colour, smell etc? (Nice I know)

Lochia red bright mainly, some dark.

I'd be surprised if infection as on anti-biotics for 7 days after birth and IV during as feverish in labour.

Yes I had this for a week or so after my second DD was born. It was a combination of extreme tiredness and anaemia. I would see someone to check though.

The thing that concerns me is that this has come on today - kind of suddenly? I don't know enough about infection to be sure but it strikes me that if you do have an infection the post birth abs may have suppressed it and now you're off them it's coming back? Infection can lower BP which can make you dizzy and unwell.
If it gets any worse or you feel otherwise unwell or feverish please go straight to hospital and get checked out. Call your midwife tomorrow in any case.

Hi

You may have an ear infection - completely unrelated to having just had a baby. Labrynthitis (spelling?) is when you are so dizzy room spin around in front of you (and makes you sick). Its truely horrific.

Alternatively me and my sister have just a virus where weve been dizzy and nauseated for a couple of days, then it past.

But I'd still get it checked out.

I was very lightheaded immediately after birht as I'd lost a lot of blood but that was ok after a day or so.

Congratulations btw

I have viral labyrinthitis atm. Came out of nowhere, suddenly felt like I'd just got off a roundabout with spinning room, nausea and faint feelings.

GP did a quick test (follow this pen in fact) and confirmed it. I then got an earache which doubly confirmed it.

I've been asleep all this time, feeling a little better. Maybe unrelated but noticed pus/ swelling around stiches from episotomy. Will call hospital in morning to get it checked. Thanks for input.

Will you let us know how you get on? (I fret )

Sorry, I didn't mean to make anyone fret. I have a GP appointment at 3.40 today, stitches are sorer and had nasty stomach upset all night/ cold feeling which may be causing faint feeling as not digesting (you don't want the details!) Poor baby is being rather ignored today. Milk, rock to sleep on a cycle.

I was reminded today why I never go to the GP. It's all because I'm a new mother, it's my first and I'm probably stressed. That explains chills, diarrohea etc. Says stitches look ok, but bleeding too heavily to be sure. Not want to give me anything in case it gets into breastmilk. Always makes me feel like I'm making things up. No checks such as bp etc.

Hang on did they not even give you iron? I'd get to a chemist (or send someone) and get some spatone. I have been like this after every birth and it was because I was anaemic.

Iron deficiency? Very common after birth, especially if you lost quite a bit of blood.

Have you got a temperature?

Right, you have an 11yr old so you are still under midwife care. Phone your midwife and ask for her to come and see you. They can't fob you off without some basic checks fgs.

11 day old. I'm cross on your behalf you see.

I don't have midwife number, plus I'm discharged. Regular midwife on holiday and being looked after by replacement.

It sucks, I now have a very painful sore lump under the skin near stitches.

You should be able to see a midwife up to 6 weeks postpartum. Do you have a medicom number? Ring the hospital and they will give you the number.

Oh FFS! I work in the NHS and I'm disgusted by your treatment today.

If the post partum bleeding is heavy at 12 days post birth that could indicate an infection. You're feeling crap, that could indicate an infection. Your stitches are sore - that could indicate an infection.

Have you got the delivery ward's number or post natal? If you ring them they should be able to put you through to a midwife and make sure you make plain that you're dizzy and weak and sore and that these are new things which happened after you stopped the abs you were given after labour.

If you don't know the number twll us the area and we'll google or ring hospital switchboard for you.

Oh yes and chills - that means you have a temperature.

I have to go out now but I'll be back after 8

Tried hospital-told 'you've had a baby, you will bleed' and 'stitches have knots, that's what lump is' all in a cross why-are-you-bothering-me tone. Tomorrow will try clinic where midwife works to get a message to her.

I feel like I'm been made to feel I'm really unreasonable, all I want is a fe min of someone's time to look and take bp etc. Could be in and out in mintues.

I haven't been told anything about seeing a midwife 6 weeks after. Was discharged from midwife a few days ago, plus didn't have her number anyway. I haven't seen the same person twice for the entire pregnancy.

Are you in London?

POst natal care is not supposed to be like this! It's your first baby yes - that doesn't mean you aren't allowed to ask for advice. I am really, really angry about the way you're being treated because illness in recently delivered mums can be serious and everybody you speak to should be recognising that and acting accordingly.

How do you feel physically now? Better or worse than earlier?