Feel in poor condition after having two babies close together

[YellowYoYoYam]

I hope this is the right place to post this. DD is 22 months and I got pregnant with DS when she was 6 months. It's been a whirlwind and they are both fantastic. But now DS is 6 months I want to get myself back to normal. Instead, I'm just noticing how my body has been sort of ravaged in the past two years I know the problems I have are insignificant compared to the trouble many people experience after having children but it's getting me down.

Since DS was born I have suffered from persistent constipation and piles, the doctor gave me stuff which helps a little but it has never returned to normal. I've developed dermatitis on both hands, the itching frequently wakes me at night. Again, got stuff from the doctor but at best just takes the edge off, at worst actually exacerbates it. Over the past two months I have had thrush almost constantly, been prescribed cantasteen which, until this last bout, gets rid of it for a week or so before it returns. I had the coil fitted and I had hoped to be able to restart some kind of sex life with DH after over two years of pregnancy and breastfeeding and night wakings, but obviously having thrush has stopped this. My hair has come out in massive clumps, I have very thick dry hair anyway but it just looks a state. I have to wear headbands to keep down the layer of frizz from all the snapped off hair. My fingernails are weak and break easily, I used to have lovely strong nails. My body aches in the morning and I'm only 30 FFS. To top it off I'm overweight, I need to loose about two stone I'd guess, although really being overweight bothers me far less than any of the other things.

I'm going back to the doctor this week about the thrush and the dermatitis and I'm taking supplements. I know I should exercise but I have so little energy once the DC are in bed and the house is tidied and I'm prepared for the next day. Has anyone else experienced this and got any advice? Or words to help me pull myself together. I realise reading all that it doesn't sound much but all things taken together are bothering me. I just want to feel strong and healthy again.

Are you taking a multi-vitamin? Maybe a post pg one would be good? How is your diet? Plenty of fresh fruit and veg? Is your iron level normal? Maybe ask the GP to check? Do you get 'me' time to pursue your own interests? Does your DH share the household chores and childcare equally with you? Do you plan time away - with friends/family - to get a break?

Sorry, lots of questions!

I think you need more investigations. Have you had a full blood count done? Thyroid blood tests? It's hard enough to deal with two small children (mine are 16 months apart) without feeling under par like this. Go to GP with ALL your symptoms (tell them everything you've mentioned in your post) and don't be fobbed off. You shouldn't be feeling like this. Good luck.

Thanks for replying stargirl. I'm taking my pregnancy vitamins as I had some left over and I'm taking zinc, caprylic acid and yakult as I read they were good for thrush. I would say my diet is very good, lots of fresh fruit and veg and almost all meals are homemade. I'm worried I'm probably eating too much fruit and too much homemade bread given the thrush, but I need carbs and fruit is such a quick handy snack with the kids about. Portion sizes are probably massive hence being overweight.

I'll ask the gp about iron, during pg my levels were very good.

I'm still on ML and haven't really had a lot of me time. For some reason that I can't pinpoint, I had a lot of anxiety about leaving the DC a few months ago, although I did leave them for a long weekend I stressed a lot about it beforehand and haven't bothered to do it again. DH encourages me to arrange things but I like to spend weekends as a family. I'm about to start going to an evening class again once a week. I prefer to leave the DC once they're in bed for the night. Not really got a lot of money for weekends away. My parents or PIL are happy to have the children for doctors apps, hairdresser, beauticians etc.

Thank you Hope I will do that. I feel like these are just minor things and it's just taking me a while to get back into my stride. But it rings true when you say I shouldn't be feeling like this. Thank you.

iron (I take it during my period) and vit d (1000 iu daily during winter months) make a difference to my wellbeing, tiredness and skin.

with your recurrant problems maybe you should have your blood checked if you have a deficiency.

Have you been given an oral treatment for the thrush? You might get die off ( feels like flu) but it should help keep it at bay. I find if I eat a lot of sugar my thrush is worse.

Thank you maus I'll discuss that with my doctor and see what she says.

Thank you too heather, did that include sugar in fruit?

For the anxiety, have you heard of mindfulness? I had post-natal anxiety after DD1 and it really helped me with my intrusive thoughts (all about DD).

Please get your thyroid checked by asking your doctor for a blood test. They can also check your iron and ferritin levels at the same time, just in case you are lacking in that department.

Thanks everyone, I've had a google and will be asking my gp about these things. So far, any complaints I have had have been treated individually, rather than considering what the cause of several of them might be.

Thank you for telling me about mindfulness star, I will read into it further. I think I've managed to get the anxiety under control now that DS is sleeping through. Sleep deprivation really doesn't suit me.

Thyroid test definitely. And also blood sugar test. Also full blood count.
Solgar multi viatamines and minerals- female formula.

Take psyllium husks, and chia seeds in a glass of water or dilute aloe vera juice very morning.

Change from whatever you're washing your hands with, to something kinder like emulsifying cream.

Hope you're feeling much better soon.

In terms of exercise, could you put the older one on a buggy board and get out with the pushchair? You can find exercise regimes like this online but obviously you'll have more weight on board. You could put the older one in a swing at the park and push the pushchair with the little one though.