Weird symptoms post pregnancy - not sure what it is

[Totobear]

Hi all,
Since giving birth 15 weeks ago I have had major problems sleeping with some other symptoms. All my life I have been up with the lark and to bed early, never having sleeping problems except for the occasional stressy period. I had trouble sleeping when pregnant but that is very normal.

Now, despite being knackered as new mums are, I cannot get to sleep before eleven. I toss and turn, have restless legs, this headache like pressure behind my eyes and I am often dizzy during the day with light sensitivity. I also get night sweats and nightmares that wake me up.

The weird thing is that given the opportunity I can sleep in the afternoon and drop off much more easily. I am really finding it tough as I can't fit enough sleep in, getting four or five hours in total a night.

Anyone else experienced this? Is it hormonal? I am no longer breast feeding so thought hormones might settle down.

After my third baby I had night sweats all the time. They were very unpleasant because as you say they wake you up. I got my thyroid tested as pregnancy can affect the thyroid gland. I felt generally grotty for a while after the birth and assumed that it was hormonal. It settled down eventually.

Are you sure that you are not feeling anxious in any way? Perhaps you are subconsciously worrying about the baby at night and this is making it difficult to get to sleep.

Hi,
I think there is a little of this feeling of being on high alert the whole time. I go and check him a lot and with the warmer temperatures I am worried about him overheating etc.

I spoke to the HV today and she suggested I go to the doctors. She seemed mainly concerned about the sleep and lack of appetite. I got the feeling she thinks thyroid. Oh well, we will see!

I had an overactive thyroid after my second pregnancy. I had problems sleeping, tremors, nightmares and weight loss. It's worth getting it checked. Mine sorted itself after a while.

It certainly sounds like you are on high alert, might be your thyroid or just getting used to being a parent. With my first born I seriously considered how I could stay awake all night to keep an eye on him! It is hard relaxing when you feel so responsible. Good luck with the tests and I hope you get a good night's sleep soon.

Thanks guys! Atleasti don't feel so tired tending to little ones night time wakings as I am awake anyway!

I agree with others saying get yourself checked out. But, do you drink a lot of tea/coffee/coke? I find that if I have any caffeine after about 6pm I can't get to sleep and am very restless & twitchy. You might be having more than you used to because of lack of sleep?

Hi, I think my new caffeine habit is certainly not helping but I don't drink it past the afternoon. However, I will try just the one morning coffee and see if that makes a difference.