Postpartum health issues and breastfeeding struggles

I am literally falling apart...

Every single month it’s something different. One minute it’s joint pain, then my teeth, my thyroid, then the water retention, Candida, and that E. coli that just keeps coming back. My skin, my bones, my hair is falling out in massive clumps, and my immune system is basically non-existent...

+ does anyone else get pain at the epidural injection site? Because it’s absolutely killing me...

I’ve finally stopped breastfeeding, I’m back at judo, and I’m just praying for some kind of recovery.

Oh, and magnesium, calcium, iron... none of it is doing a damn thing.

feralmoose32 said:It took quite a while for everything to settle down for me. It started when my little one was just 2 months old, and I didn't finish the last therapy session until they were a year and a half. Only then did things finally start to stabilize.

I have to admit, I still get occasional spasms, though they happen much less often now.

That sounds awful.😲
I ended up having to stay inactive, but since being still is basically impossible with a tiny baby, I had to force myself to rest. I used those braces, and once the pelvic floor issue cleared up, I felt much better.

Honestly, you all hit the nail on the head regarding my symptoms. 😁 For me, the numbness in my hands and fingers didn't kick in until my eighth month of pregnancy, and it didn't finally let up until about a month after I gave birth. But now? Now I’ve got this constant, nagging pain in my elbow creases, my hands, and my thumbs. Just great. As if I didn't already need physical therapy for my neck... 🙄

I think the baby blues really knocked me sideways because I just wasn't mentally prepared for the sheer scale of changes that come with childbirth and a newborn. The hardest part for me was definitely struggling with breastfeeding. Then there was the period where I was convinced I'd never have sex again and that I was dealing with uterine or bladder prolapse, only for the doctor to tell me that what was protruding was actually a piece of my intestine. Yay. And don't even get me started on the hemorrhoids—I can't start my day without reaching for a laxative. ☕

rowdypanther12 said:The pain is just unreal—it’s enough to make you feel like you might actually pass out whenever you move your wrist a certain way.😳

Since I was breastfeeding, I had to be super careful about what I put on my skin, so I stuck strictly to Arnica creams. I couldn't even commit to regular physical therapy sessions because I simply couldn't be away from my little one for that long.🎉
I ended up having to get creative and basically DIY my own splints using cotton balls and popsicle sticks. I’d sleep with them on, and during the day, I tried to keep them on as much as possible to keep my thumb in a position where the tendon wouldn't feel so strained.😁
If I remember correctly, that went on for about two months.

It started in one hand, and then, in a moment of pure brilliance, I started doing everything with the other one, which resulted in both hands becoming completely useless.😵
And lifting a crying baby? Oh man, there were times the pain shot through me so sharply I thought I was going to faint right there, but obviously, you can't exactly drop the baby! One of the main reasons I finally moved her into her own crib was so I wouldn't risk dropping her in the middle of the night.

After waiting a few months for it to subside—even though I was practically living in a baby sling at the time—I realized I really did need professional therapy. My routine became this little mission: I’d nurse her in the morning, slip out of bed around 6:30 AM, get dressed, and rush off to my appointment, making sure to be back just in time for my mom to head to work. The baby would usually sleep through it because she loved being tucked against someone warm, which was a total lifesaver. That lasted for about a month.🙂

All in all, the whole ordeal lasted over six months. By the time my next little one came along, there was absolutely no way I was pulling any stunts like trying to hold a sleeping baby with one hand (she only sleeps on me, naturally) while hanging laundry with the other.☕

Man, you guys really aren't kidding about having issues
And here I was thinking I was the one struggling most in my circle after giving birth. Looking at everyone else, they’re basically back on their feet and running marathons by day two, while I’m still over here feeling completely broken down

I’m not sure how much pregnancy plays into this—but six months after giving birth and breastfeeding, I tried getting back on Metformin (the sugar pills I really need). After a 15-month break, since they aren't exactly recommended during that time, my body just won't tolerate them anymore. My endocrinologist is dead set on them because they help with weight and ovarian function—which, let's face it, aren't exactly perfect right now—so I’ve stopped taking them. Now? It's just harder to keep my blood sugar steady, especially right before my period...

silentraven6 said:I am literally falling apart...

Every single month brings something new. Joint pain, dental issues, thyroid problems, water retention, candidiasis, recurring E. coli, skin flare-ups, bone aches—even my hair is coming out in huge clumps. My immune system is basically non-existent...

+ Does anyone else have pain at the site of their epidural injection? It’s absolutely wrecking me...

I've finished breastfeeding, I'm doing judo now, and I'm just hoping for some recovery.

Oh, and magnesium, calcium, iron... none of it helps.

Honestly, vitamins and supplements are mostly useless.
What you actually need is rest, time for yourself, physical activity, and good food that you can actually sit down and enjoy in peace.😁

In my case, I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism between my first and second child (my oldest is now 4 years and 7 months, and my youngest is 18 months), though I'm convinced it actually started much earlier and just went undiagnosed.

Other than that, I'm doing well (and I am an older mom), and I feel even better since I started running and boxing about four months ago. That actually motivated me to clean up my diet—it was never bad to begin with, but I've cut back on sweets significantly. I've lost a few pounds, I'm in better shape, and most importantly, it's finally time dedicated solely to me. I feel almost like my pre-kid self again, provided the little one starts sleeping properly...

I’m just counting down the days until I can get out of bed like a normal human being—not like a turtle—and when I turn from side to side or shift in my office chair without having to strategically calculate every move to avoid a spasm. 🙂 My little one is four now, and honestly, since the day I gave birth, I haven't had a single day where my back didn't feel like it was falling apart. It actually started back at the hospital; I genuinely thought something went wrong during delivery that messed up my spine—but they just brushed it off and offered me some painkillers. My doctor just shrugs her shoulders and says, "I don't know, but I know a great chiropractor." Of course, everything would be easier if I weren't essentially flying solo with the kid, or dealing with the postpartum struggle of being without a car and constantly straining myself walking up and down stairs all day. If I could somehow drop the weight, too. And if I could commit to exercising more seriously—I try to squeeze in yoga twice a week, which helps a little, but it's not a cure. Work is killing me, too; sitting in the same spot for eight hours is brutal. When I'm on vacation and actually moving around, I feel much better. But again, I can't exactly switch careers given what I do...

So, yeah... 😢

I guess my biggest struggle right now is just the sheer anxiety about it all.😢

The first time around, they really went to town on me with the incisions, but the second time? It was like they practically tore me apart. They pulled everything way too tight, and now the healing process feels completely off—it looks like there’s just this massive crater down there, and honestly, I’m almost too scared to even look at it.😢

I mean, the aches and pains in my arms and back don't even feel like anything compared to the absolute dread I feel whenever I think about what's going on down below.

northerntiger9 said:I am truly living for the day when I can get out of bed normally, rather than feeling like a turtle. I dream of being able to turn from side to side or shift in my office chair without having to carefully calculate every single movement just to avoid a sudden jolt of pain. 🙂 My little one is 4 years old now, and since the moment I gave birth, there hasn't been a single day where my back hasn't been absolutely killing me. It actually started in the hospital; I genuinely thought something had gone wrong during delivery and messed up my spine, but they just brushed it off and offered me some painkillers. My doctor just shrugs her shoulders and says, "I don't know, but I know a great chiropractor." Of course, everything would be so much easier if I weren't practically on my own with the kid and without a car during maternity leave—constantly straining myself walking up and down hills and stairs all day long. If I could somehow lose a few pounds, start exercising more seriously and frequently (I somehow manage to squeeze in two yoga sessions a week, which helps slightly, but not entirely), and if my job didn't exhaust me... sitting in one spot for 8 hours a day is brutal; it’s much better when I’m on vacation and moving around constantly. But then again, I can't exactly go find a different career given my profession...
And so it goes... 😢

Two months after giving birth, I became completely stiff. I couldn't even straighten my back; I could walk, but only if I stayed bent at a VERY SPECIFIC ANGLE! I honestly don't know how I survived that day. By that evening, I went to see a friend's partner, who happens to be a professional chiropractor. I had never believed in that kind of thing until I got off his table feeling like a brand-new person. When dealing with back issues (in my case, it was a herniated disc), you absolutely must start with corrective exercises first; once you strengthen those back muscles later on, you can train however you like. 😉

rowdypanther12 said:btw, can I use "during" instead of "throughout" in the title? Something about it just feels off to me.😁

🤣
We definitely don't want this thread causing any eye strain, so consider that fixed! 😬

Reading through all of you, I’ve been thinking back on my own pregnancies and life afterward, and honestly, I don't really remember any major struggles.
The only thing I recall was some hip pain while sleeping toward the end of my pregnancy.

Also, I've actually been dealing with a chronic condition for a decade now (Crohn), but pregnancy and breastfeeding didn't make it worse at all. In fact, I didn't need any medication the entire time I was nursing.
To be fair, once I finished breastfeeding and went in for checkups, things were a little rougher and I had to start meds again, but then everything settled back to normal, just like before the pregnancy.

As for just feeling better overall—mentally and physically—I highly recommend staying active.👍
I started working out regularly and sticking to a routine about two years ago, and I'm still going strong. No plans to stop anytime soon!🙂

@ironbadger9
I really hope what you're going through is just temporary, but please make sure to check in with your doctor.
Fingers crossed everything turns out fine!🙂

Kimberly Rodriguez51 said:If you want to feel better overall—both physically and mentally—I can’t recommend physical activity enough.👍
I started sticking to a disciplined routine about two years ago, I’m still going strong, and I have no intention of stopping.🙂

I couldn't agree more.
I don't see myself ever training for races like you or many of my friends do, but whether it's running, swimming, or yoga—whatever works for you—it's transformative. It does wonders for your physique and your health, but more importantly, for your mood.

Lisa Ramos74 said:I'm totally with you.
I don't think I'll ever get into racing like you and a few of my girlfriends, but honestly, running, swimming, yoga—whatever works—is pure magic. It does wonders for your figure, your health, and especially your mood.

👍
I've actually cut back on running big time because runner's shin splints have been killing me. 🙄
Now I've actually stopped altogether since I started doing Insanity! 🙂

Honestly, home workouts are such a lifesaver for young moms. You can't really use excuses like I just don't have the time, it's not convenient and all that.
There's so much out there—Insanity, Focus, P90X, Zumba, Jillian Michaels...
Plus, there are tons of daily HIIT sessions on YouTube. Those 10-minute workouts are super easy to squeeze into a busy schedule.
One of my coworkers has a little one who isn't even a year and a half old yet, and she was working out through almost her entire postpartum period and still keeps at it today.

Kimberly Rodriguez51 said:👍
I’ve cut back on running significantly because shin splints have been a real pain. 🙄
Now, I’ve actually stopped entirely to focus on Insanity. 🙂

Generally speaking, home workouts are incredibly practical for young moms. You can't really rely on excuses like I just don't have the time, or it isn't convenient enough and so on.
There is an endless variety out there—Insanity, Focus, P90X, Zumba, Jillian Michaels...
There are also daily HIIT sessions on YouTube; those ten-minute routines are something anyone can realistically squeeze into their daily schedule.
One of my colleagues has a little one who isn't even a year and a half old yet, and she was working out through almost her entire postpartum period and still keeps it up today.

Then there are the phone apps. I personally use a seven-minute workout app—it's a cycle you can repeat two or three times, and once I get bored of it, I just switch to something else.

How long does it actually take to fully recover after giving birth?
It’s been six months already, and I just feel constantly run down and sickly. Honestly, I’m starting to get on my own nerves.
I’ve been swallowing every vitamin supplement under the sun—Centrum, Emergen, various immune boosters, everything you can find at CVS
The other day, my husband picked up some royal jelly from the pharmacy because I told him it might give me a little boost.
But I just feel so weak all the time. I'm exhausted, I have constant headaches, colds, a runny nose, and a cough that sounds like an elephant. My gums are inflamed, my joints are killing me, my muscles ache, and my digestion is a mess... it's everything. And I wasn't always this fragile; I used to be incredibly healthy and resilient.
Not to mention my mental state—sometimes I feel like I'm about to snap.

Shouldn't I be feeling more like myself by now? How can I actually help myself?

Honestly, after giving birth, I felt like I’d been hit by a semi-truck. I was completely wiped out—just absolutely shattered and exhausted beyond belief... It took me about six months before I finally started feeling like myself again. The only thing I’ve noticed since then is that my bladder just isn't what it used to be; if I really have to go, there are times I'm worried I won't make it to the bathroom in time before I even get my clothes off🤦....And trust me, this had never happened to me before... at least not prior to pregnancy!

If there's one silver lining to that whole postpartum struggle, it's that I managed to power through a massive pot of soup every day for two months... and somehow melted away every single one of those 20 pounds I gained during my pregnancy!

Carol Garcia said:Girls, how long does it actually take to fully recover after giving birth?
It’s been six months already, and I feel like I’m constantly coming down with something. I’m just so run down... I’ve honestly started getting on my own nerves at this point.
I’ve been swallowing every vitamin supplement under the sun—Centrum, Emergen, everything you can find at a CVS or Walgreens. I've tried it all.
The other day, my husband picked up some royal jelly from the pharmacy because I told him it might give me a little boost of energy.
But I just feel so weak and exhausted all the time. My head aches, I'm constantly dealing with colds, a runny nose, and I’m coughing like crazy. Even my teeth have been acting up, my joints are killing me, my muscles are sore, and my digestion is a mess... it's just everything. And I wasn't always like this; I used to be so resilient and healthy.
Not to mention my mental state—some days, I feel like I'm about to snap...

Shouldn't I be feeling more like myself by now? How can I help myself get back on track?

For me, returning to work after six months was exactly what I needed to feel alive again. Being stuck in that "mom bubble" at home was totally draining my nerves, and once those nerves go, everything else follows. I was exactly where you are... just completely wiped out... but the moment I stepped back into my old routine... it was like I was reborn!

casualmoose14 said:Honestly, after I gave birth, I felt like I’d been run over by six semi-trucks in a row. I wasn't just tired; I was completely wiped out—like I had been physically torn apart. It sounds dramatic, but that’s really how it felt. I was just dead on my feet. It took about six months of recovery before I finally started feeling like myself again. But even now, there's one thing I've noticed... my bladder just isn't what it used to be. If I get a sudden, intense urge to go to the bathroom, sometimes I can't even make it to the toilet before things slip away from me. It's definitely something I'm still dealing with.🤦That thing? It never happened to me... at least not before I had the baby.

Honestly, if there’s one silver lining to feeling like absolute garbage after giving birth, it’s that I managed to polish off a massive pot of soup within two months... and somehow, I actually melted away every single one of those 20 pounds I put on during pregnancy!

Come on, don't try to lie to this crazy bunch of people—this whole thing is nothing but a blatant lie. 🤣

Bladder issues... I was told it’s because of the catheter and that there might be some kind of surgery involved. Even doing my Kegels isn't helping at all.

I had a similar experience where they had to insert a catheter, and honestly, my muscle tone just completely went to hell. Right after I gave birth, I couldn't even hold it for two seconds; everything would just leak out of me instantly. It’s been about nine months now, and things have improved somewhat—I can actually hold it, though not for very long. To be fair, I haven't really been testing my limits by trying to hold it as long as possible, because the moment I feel the urge to hit the restroom, I'm gone, but still, what a nightmare that was!
The other issue is that when I first stand up on my feet in the morning, I feel like I'm walking on eggshells until I finally get moving. On top of that, I can't seem to sleep on my stomach or my back anymore; after just a few minutes, the discomfort becomes so intense it starts hurting. Trying to sleep on my side is becoming an absolute ordeal, too, because I've developed these ingrown hairs along my hip from constantly lying that way. I truly don't understand why it hurts this much, especially since I am just so desperate to be able to sleep on my back or my stomach again. 😢

silentraven6 said:Oh, come on, don't try to pull the wool over this crazy bunch of people's eyes—this whole thing is just a complete fabrication.🤣

Bubbles... they told me it was because of the catheter and some kind of surgery, and even doing Kegel exercises doesn't seem to help at all.

I swear on my life, if this isn't true, I'll eat my hat... nothing changed for me. Honestly, when I first got home from the hospital, I felt so terrible I couldn't even hold my head up straight because of the epidural; the vertigo was just unreal... my mom finally managed to talk me into eating a single bowl of soup after a whole day.
By the fifteen-day mark, my stomach had shrunk so much that even four spoonfuls of soup felt like too much; I was basically living on painkillers... one for the headache, one for my back, and another for hemorrhoids!