Recovery after labour

[SL1997]

Hi! I gave birth 2 months ago to a beautiful baby boy. However my labour was a hard labour and I lost a lot of blood and my iron levels have been really low ever since. I am taking iron tablets but they are not doing anything. I have been told to wait 12 weeks and then I will have more blood tests. But I'm taking iron tablets and I am still reeling so exhausted (not normal baby tired) and I have no energy. Does anyone have any advice on how to make myself feel a bit better?
During labour I also had the procedure for an epidural, however it got stuck so was more difficult for them to remove. Ever since I have had such bad back pain. Is this normal and how long will it take for my back to feel normal again.

That sounds really difficult and I think maybe a trip back to the doctors is in order. I'm sure someone more qualified will come along soon, but all I can think of is to make sure you're resting as much as possible and eating really well and drinking lots of water. Two months post birth is nothing at all so your body will still be recovering.

oh goodness. I think you need to push this and hope you can maybe get an iron infusion.. instant help!

I had a similar experience. Was on iron tablets almost immediately and I started to turn a corner in terms of energy levels at about 4 weeks. (But it was still hard due to lack of sleep.) . If you are still really struggling at 2 months, i think you should go back to the Doctor.

Just take some extra multivitamins see if they help. Drink plenty of water and literally go to bed in the mindset "tomorrow we're guna get up an go the park etc" only way I do things these days. I go to bed an have my next day planned so I'm up an ready to go with energy! I do hit the brick wall sometimes but I try just power through on vitamins an water an then a sugary snack. My bad!!

But still keep goin the doctors it isn't right. Specially you back that's no good with a new baby ! Xx

Can you push for an iron infusion? I had these while pregnant but they really helped to up my levels and then the iron tablets actually worked. Takes about two hours in hospital and back home

@FREEM I've already had one iron infusion about a week after giving birth. But the doctor gave me iron tablets as well because after re checking my bloods it hadn't made much of a difference at all.

@Schwitters I think I am going to go back because it's not getting any easier, if anything I feel worse as time goes on! I was just a bit reluctant to go back because I felt last time I went the doctor didn't really listen to what I was saying

@BatleyTownswomensGuild lack of sleep is such an issue, I don't cope well on lack of sleep! wouldn't change baby boy for the world though. I think I will go back and mention it again I just keep hoping I'll feel better but it doesn't happen. Glad things got better for you after 4 weeks though it gives me hope that it's just a slow process.

@Sweetpeach3 thanks for the advice! I will try and give some multivitamins a go! I try my best to go to bed knowing what I'm doing the next day but after two night feeds (which I know isn't too bad at all) and generally feeling unwell because of everything I still just wake up and find my day feels more like a chore rather than enjoyable  i think I will mention my back next time I go because it's so sore sometimes I struggle to get into the floor to change baby and it's starting to impact on my life.

@Kanga83 I've had one iron infusion after giving birth, the prescription iron tablets were given as a boost when the iron infusion didn't do too much and the doctor wants to avoid giving me another.

Ask if you can get your thyroid levels checked next time you see your GP. Exhaustion and a really sore back were my main symptoms after I had DS1. Turned o it my thyroid function was almost non existent!! However it took several visits to the GP, a misdiagnosis of depression and many tears to get there.

Post natal is prime time for thyroid issues to rear their head, especially if you have a family history of autoimmune disease, or if you’ve had glandular fever in the past.

Do mention it - maybe have a look at some of the other symptoms (many of which are also common after having a baby so are easily missed!)

Hope you get it sorted ASAP.

Also B12 which can make you feel anemic too.

Your back definitely isn't right op! You need that sortin so you can soon chase around after a moving baby and interacting on the floor for tummy time an not being in pain etc! But as for the iron you need keep mithering for that to be sorted sooner then later. It's just to wake up with a positive attitude as shit as you may feel. It helps a little when you feel positive and ready to go or something planned to look forward to! Xx

I had a weird pain for years after my epidural. It didn’t really stop me from doing day to day activities but the feeling was always there. After my second epidural the weird pain completely disappeared!

Also, I think that eating spinach can interfere with absorbing iron supplements.

@RUSU92 thank you I'll mention it and hopefully I can have more tests done! Glad you got sorted in the end just a shame it took a while.

@Sweetpeach3 I know I'm really hoping to get my back sorted I can't give him tummy time for long because it becomes too painful. Is it possible that it's nerve damage that could sort itself after a while though?

@Lowhum did the pain stop you from doing things you would of been able to do before?

I had a major pph and tachycardia as a result and was advised against iron tablets as they take too long to work - was told they would try an iron infusion before moving to a blood transfusion. Suggest you ask the GP to test your haemoglobin levels, blood pressure, and heart rate so they can refer you appropriately.

I think it's possible to be nervous damage I think that is one of the risks with epidural but I'm not sure. Xx