It’s been months since your delivery, your baby is sleeping well, you have the support you need……yet you are still freakin tired!!!
Sound familiar?
Let’s talk about postpartum fatigue!
Yes! Exhaustion is one of the most common conditions experienced by new mothers, and it
can last for months. After all, the body is recovering from the tremendous physical challenge
of pregnancy and childbirth. (and if you had a c-section, you’re still healing from major abdominal surgery).
Around the same time, you’re now responsible for a baby that needs constant care because
whatever sleep you can receive is likely to be interrupted and less regenerative.
How long you feel exhausted depends on a variety of things, including:
How much your baby sleeps
Whether you can change your schedule to accommodate
The amount of help you have at home
Whether you have additional pressures from work outside the home
Postpartum fatigue is reported by 90% of new mothers who had vaginal delivery during the postpartum period. This makes it the most common issue that a woman faces as she adjusts to motherhood.
At 3 months after delivery 11% of moms still have fatigue!
When it comes to postpartum exhaustion, many factors contribute to chronic fatigue.
The stresses that your body goes through during delivery
Length of labor
Lack of sleep with newborn
Being on high alert to care for your little one
Continued pain
True. Women who reported depression, anxiety, sleep problems and breastfeeding were at significantly increased risk of extreme fatigue.
Other considerations that influence fatigue levels include your age and the number of
children you are caring for.
All of the above!
Sometimes symptoms of fatigue can be due to a medical issue. Here are the most common medical issues postpartum that can cause fatigue.
Anemia: 56% of new moms can have anemia. This could be due to heavy blood loss during delivery and insufficient iron.
Hypothyroidism: Underactive thyroid gland is very treatable and occurs in 5-1-% of women postpartum.
Depression: 20% of women experience postpartum depression. If you have symptoms it is important to seek support and treatment.
You may be thinking, fatigue is expected, what's the big deal if I don’t have a medical issue?
Studies have shown that improving fatigue could significantly improve a woman’s self-care ability, daily activity level, feelings of helplessness, depression, and dependence after childbirth. Maternal–infant attachment can be negatively affected by postpartum fatigue as well.
So YES it is very important to decrease your fatigue!
Let’s go through some ways you can combat fatigue.
Move your body!
Okay that may be the last thing you want to do when you are fatigued, but exercise can increase your energy level as well as your mood!
The chores can wait!
Right now, your top priority is to save energy for yourself, your newborn, and your other
children. When it comes to tasks like house cleaning, this may imply lowering the
expectations a little (or a lot). Conserving energy now increases the chances of using it
afterward.
Rest, Rest, Rest!!!
Get as much rest as you can. As soon as your kid is asleep, try to go to bed. (Better yet, go
to bed early and make your husband take care of the baby in the evening.) Also,when your baby
naps in the day, you can do the same.
Get support!
Ask friends and family for help. Request assistance from friends and family with various
activities such as running errands, doing laundry, preparing dinners, watching the other
children, or caring for the baby while you rest.
Take every shortcut in the book. Use any service that delivers, such as grocery stores, or
can otherwise make your life easier, such as cleaning services.
Say no to visitors.
Choose the guests wisely. And bear in mind that telling even your nearest family members
or friend is perfectly appropriate that you’re just too drained for a visit or an overnight stay
right now.
Ask your partner.
If you’re not getting it, ask for it. Speak up if your partner isn’t doing his fair share of baby
care and housework — and his share can be greater than yours until you have more energy.
Most women experience postpartum fatigue and many things factor into why.
It is important to get evaluated and treated if you suspect you have postpartum depression or another medical issue and to be proactive to fight this fatigue!
Reach out to MaternalWell maternal mental health specialist if you are unsure if your fatigue is due to postpartum depression. As always text for any general questions.
