Hormones not the same post birth

[Girlmumma1]

Hi all,

I had my DD 4 months ago, which i appreciate isn't long ago, but ever since I've had her my hormones have been all over the place!

I've previously been on the pill for most of my adult like and stopped to TTC. Which was fine, periods where normal, not much pms, just a bit hungrier before AF and a bit aggy when I was on.

Since DD was born, I'm unbelievably exhausted, achey, headachey, irritable, zero motivation and just feel like crap about a week before AF and it's driving me mad! I also had really bad ovulation pain this month, with bad headache which I also read is down to hormones fluctuating 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm really frustrated and fed up because I'm really trying to be a much fitter and healthier person now and Im loosing all motivation to exercise, and all I want to do it eat which isn't helping the weight loss!
I feel like I'm just constantly yo-yoing with how I feel.

Sorry for the long ranty post but I'm at my witts end!

My question is - does anyone have any idea how to help with this? To keep motivation when you're feeling so crappy and exhausted, and how to keep on track with healthy eating when all you want to do is eat pizza everyday?!

Thanks!

Bless you.
Completely normal to feel all of these things after giving birth, I'd say especially in within the first year after having baby. Hormones are going to be wild unfortunately and play havoc, and your periods need time to get back in to the swing of things.
Given how tired and exhausted you are, amongst other things, it may be worth getting some routine bloods done if you haven't already, to just check the usual iron, vitamins etc. Because being on the lower end of some of those can make you feel as you described, I know I was anaemic after having all 3 of mine.
It may well be nothing and could just be your hormones playing havoc, but they will level out eventually and you will find your new normal. There is no harm is talking to a GP about your worries and concerns. Xx

@Adeleex thank you so much for responding.

That's a good point about bloods actually, I may get them checked. My OH had DD this morning so I could sleep in and according to my Fitbit I got around 9hours, yet I woke up feeling like absolute crap as though I'd not slept a wink! So frustrating!

I just want to get on with everything and feeling like this is just irritating me!

I'm absolutely irritable today, every little thing is either making me want to scream In rage or cry my eyes out! 🤣

Im just not used to this at all!! And I wasn't even this hormonal during my pregnancy!!

@Girlmumma1 Oh bless you!

Given you've had 9 hours - and woken still feeling crappy. I'd just request some bloods done just to double check you're all OK, mention everything you've told us here, and they should get it done no problem. Did you have any issues with blood loss at birth or low anaemia during pregnancy?
I know if my ranges are on the lower end.. I'm shattered, grumpy, achey.. all sorts! I'm ok now but I also bought myself some multi vitamins just to keep on top of things too. That may be worth doing if there's no other explanation as to how you're feeling. And if it is just hormones then they may even help in that sense of keeping you a bit calmer and feeling a bit more human!
I've had plenty of them days when I could nag and scream at every little thing people do that winds me up, or just sit and cry to myself in a corner!
It's amazing what pregnancy does to you post pregnancy isn't it haha!! Xx

Definitely get bloods checked for thyroid and iron. Both can go weird after birth.
But I also think you're expecting a bit too much of yourself. At 4 months your baby probably won't be sleeping through the night. You need the extra calories to power through.
It took 9 months to make the baby and it takes 9 months (minimum) for your body to recover. It's great to get back to exercise but I do think you need to be realistic about what your body needs right now. It sounds like it's telling you to rest and conserve your energy.
Things get much easier in terms of time for exercise/free time/ personal goals after 12 months IME

Are you breastfeeding? I was really achey and had loads of joint pain post partum. It turned out i was majorly vit D deficient and my bf vitamin wasnt cutting it. Some extra strength vitamin D recommended by the GP made me feel a lot better.

Thanks ladies for the responses!

I think im going to try and get booked in with the gp.

I had a planned section and they said I lost more blood than they like, I can remember how much, but they kept me on the delivery ward to see if I'd need a transfusion but fortunately i was fine and all was ok.

I know 4 months is still early, and maybe I'm pushing myself too soon, but I've battled with my weight for as long as I can remember and I want to keep the weight off and I'm just frustrated with constantly being hungry and having no energy to work out 🤦🏻‍♀️

Nope I'm not breastfeeding, I struggled really badly with it, and didn't get on with it.

Will hopefully get some answers from bloods. I do just feel constantly exhausted and achey but put it down to hormones!

It takes a while to get back to 'normal', some people longer than others. What you describe is usual with a four month old. It won't last, op, honestly. You'll eventually be as right as rain.