Shivers / chills and teeth chattering - milk coming in?

[QuirkyGreenCat]

Hi all,

I’m 5 days postpartum with my second, delivery via c-section, and last night woke up with my teeth chattering and uncontrollable shivering all over my body - this lasted about 10-15 mins. Every time I woke up to feed the baby the same thing happened.

It’s stopped today but I still feel really sluggish, out of it, and not really myself. I called midwife in a panic and she said this was because my milk was coming in, and it was to do with hormones? My body regulating the hormones?

I don’t have a high temp or any pain so that ruled out infection. My question is - has anyone else experienced this? And when did you start to feel a bit more normal / back to yourself?

I hate feeling so teary and out of it.

It sounds like an infection. My section was nearly 4 years ago but I had none of that when my milk came in. I'd ask for your bloods to be done ❤️

Yeah another vote for infection- please get yourself checked our as soon as possible and check your temperature. Hope you feel better soon x

Infection. Please get yourself seen asap.

Sounds much more like an infection - call your midwife again and if needed try your GP as well.

Hmmm, I wouldn't completely rule out infection. It's normal to feel crap and weepy, massively hormonal and sweaty, but "out of it" isn't quite right.
Keep an eye out for the signs of maternal sepsis. When are you next due to see a health professional?
https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/worries-and-discomforts/symptoms-watch-out-for/how-spot-maternal-sepsis
Congratulations on your new baby

So my midwife wasn’t concerned when I called triage because I didn’t (and still don’t) have a high temp, and also because there was no pain? Same thing this morning when I followed up with the community midwife? I’m starting to feel a lot better now… I’d feel awkward calling again with no new symptoms? The only thing I’ve noticed is dodgy tum today - need to keep running to the bathroom.

I'd possibly go to the GP if midwife not interested- have you tracked your temp as a low one can be a concern too. Only you know how you feel bur don't put up with it as you could become quite ill x

If they aren’t worried about it then I would keep an eye on it and contact your gp. I felt this way and an infection came on quite quickly.

After feeling great following the birth of my dc, 2 days later I started to feel funny, shivering etc then I've pulled out a huge piece of placenta when wiping. Lucky for me as I got soon better. If you don't feel right, don't let anyone tell you any different.

Thanks everyone, will be vigilant and keep an eye on my temp!

Go back to your maternity unit - they can still
see you until you are discharged from MW care. I don’t want to alarm you but your symptoms warrant a full check up by a doctor. I’ve got a very large family and not once with milk coming in have I had these symptoms but I did twice with infections post birth.

Please go and get checked now

I had the exact same thing but it was the day after my baby was born, I was shivering and teeth chattering and couldn’t stop for about 15 mins. It was the middle of the night and I was still in hospital, I woke up the next morning and I was completely fine so never mentioned it to anyway. I presumed it was my core temperature dropping after being pregnant but I have no clue. I would be vigilant like the others have said in case it’s something like an infection but just letting you know I had it too and all was fine!!

But also I didn’t feel like you the next day all sluggish and out of it so I would probably go get checked out

I had this, turned up to be a horrific uti that spread to kidneys. I needed 2 lots of antibiotics. Please get seen

At 5 days pp wouldn't your milk be in by now? I'd want checking to make sure there isn't any retained placenta causing infection/ stopping milk coming in.
I have had a shivering thing responce to hormones, but it was during perimnopause not after childbirth.

Are you taking paracetamol or other painkillers (eg because of healing tears or incisions) at the moment OP? That could mask a fever and pain from infection.

Please get checked! I had this and no temp because as others have said, I was on pain meds! They took it very seriously and I ended up with about 4 different antibiotics. Please don't just struggle on!

This sounds like you need medical care for an infection. Chills and uncontrollable shivering with no temperature meant I had blood sepsis. Please go and get in person advice.

Yeah I’m on painkillers - didn’t consider how this could mask symptoms. I’ve called my midwife and asked to be seen. Thanks everyone

How long did you have the shivers for though? I only had it a few times in the night and then nothing today. Would have thought it would need to be continuous?

How long did your shivers / chills last? I only had it in the night and then nothing today.

I had this 3 days postpartum albeit with a rocketing temperature, it was suspected sepsis and I spent a week back in hospital trying to get the infection under control.

I would go to the GP. My midwife fobbed me off with lots of symptoms including shivering saying I should be like that after having a baby. Went to the GP who said I looked obviously ill and prescribed antibiotics for UTI. Felt well within 24 hours. Definitely get checked by a doctor - midwives become too used to fobbing off women in pain.

I would go to GP/A and E.

It seems late for the milk not to have come in and I wonder if without let-down you’ve got a bit of mastitis.

In any case, I would get seen. You need to sort out the milk anyway.

Last time I had a kidney infection my only symptom was intense shivers in the middle of the night until I became very unwell with a fever etc. 24 hours later. I would definitely get seen by a GP if fobbed off by your MW or call 111 if you have any further symptoms before the morning