Normal to feel like you’re dying after birth?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please get a full physical asap with a primary care doc. Ob not as good once baby is out.
You will need a uro gyn for repairs when ready (down the road).
See a psychiatrist about anxiety.

Don’t wait. ER if you must.

FYI my ppd anxiety was about harming the baby, not my own health. Not sure if you have ppd but you need help asap.

My OB and PCP are the same person. She’s been on top of a lot for me.

She essentially predicted PPA/PPD because of my extreme anxiety during pregnancy and wanted me to start meds as soon as he was born.

[Anonymous]

No honey, that doesn't sound normal

Go to ER if you need to. You may be hemorrhaging or something. I had twins and I didn't feel anything like that after birth. But, I did have a very loooong period last summer (perimenopause) which caused my hemoglobin to drop to dangerous levels. In the 3 nights I was hemorrhaging, I didn't get how severe it was but I remember this distinct feeling that I was going to die, that I wasn't going to make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you been checked for postpartum HELLP? I'd push on that too. It's normal to feel like sh**, but not this bad. You take care of you. I'm thinking about you and hoping that all you need is some good sleep.

Yes. Blood pressure has been normal.

I also think it’s sleep and anxiety.

[Anonymous]

Please don't let the OB dismiss you. You need someone to take a better look and figure out what's going on. Even if it's just anxiety, it can be crippling and it needs to be treated more aggressively.

I had terrible PPD and I wish you all the best.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say it’s normal to feel kind of like you were a hit by a bus and your body is in disarray, not normal to feel you are dying. I think you might have an infection.

Agree, the shakiness is not normal.

[Anonymous]

Please go get checked out in person.

[Anonymous]

Don't know what this is but it's not normal. I would go to the ER and skip the OB

[Anonymous]

Are you making sure to eat, OP? Is it low blood sugar? I’m so sorry you feel so awful and your doctor isn’t seeming to listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you been checked for postpartum HELLP? I'd push on that too. It's normal to feel like sh**, but not this bad. You take care of you. I'm thinking about you and hoping that all you need is some good sleep.

Yes. Blood pressure has been normal.

I also think it’s sleep and anxiety.

Ok. There are other tests they can do for this as well that aren't BP (liver enzymes or something?). May be worth a shot to ask.

I'm also an anxious person, so I genuinely do not want to add to your anxiety. But I also want to make sure you are ok, internet stranger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FTM. Overall good birth experience but had some tearing and bladder retention paired with pelvic floor/tailbone damage that makes me have little bowel control.

Baby is one week old and I’m sure I’m dying. Can’t sleep even when given opportunity. Nauseous, shakey and flu-like feelings. Insomnia on top of frequent wakings to feed baby.

I’m certain I’m going to die. Yes, OBGYN knows about symptoms. Everything normal.
No fever, normal blood pressure etc. I’m on anti-anxiety medication.

Didn’t expect to feel like I got hit by a bus postpartum.

Baby is doing great thank God but I am not, what is and isn’t normal? I think I get 3 hours of sleep in a 24 hour period on average. Can this kill me?

You need support, OP.

I have experienced some of this simply due to sleep deprivation - the nauseous shaky feelings, specifically, are what sleep deprivation feels like to me. You are not going to die, but if you feel like you're being tortured, you are.

Your physical symptoms and recovery are worth further attention. Are you getting support for your pelvic floor damage and continence issues? Are you still passing any clots or has that leveled out? If you are breastfeeding, is it possible that you have some kind of infection (I'd think no due to lack of fever, but you never know)?

I am glad you are already taking anxiety medication. Consider that it may not be enough or may not be the right one and consider talking to someone about changes that can be made there.

Is it "normal"? Yes, in that a lot of people experience it, you are not going uniquely crazy. But also no, in that "this is not what is supposed to happen." I'd start with sleep, personally.

I have a counselor and pelvic floor PT scheduled for 6 weeks. Still healing from years for now.

So everything is lined up and addressed but sometimes I don’t know how I’ll make it the next day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you been checked for postpartum HELLP? I'd push on that too. It's normal to feel like sh**, but not this bad. You take care of you. I'm thinking about you and hoping that all you need is some good sleep.

Yes. Blood pressure has been normal.

I also think it’s sleep and anxiety.

Ok. There are other tests they can do for this as well that aren't BP (liver enzymes or something?). May be worth a shot to ask.

I'm also an anxious person, so I genuinely do not want to add to your anxiety. But I also want to make sure you are ok, internet stranger.

I can ask about blood test to check all my levels I guess?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you making sure to eat, OP? Is it low blood sugar? I’m so sorry you feel so awful and your doctor isn’t seeming to listen.

Eating is very hard due to nausea but I am eating and drinking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No honey, that doesn't sound normal

Go to ER if you need to. You may be hemorrhaging or something. I had twins and I didn't feel anything like that after birth. But, I did have a very loooong period last summer (perimenopause) which caused my hemoglobin to drop to dangerous levels. In the 3 nights I was hemorrhaging, I didn't get how severe it was but I remember this distinct feeling that I was going to die, that I wasn't going to make it.

Wouldn’t I be able to tell by bleeding? I’m 8 days PP and it’s really slowed down. Not stopped but nothing concerning (not even close to filling pad and no big clots).

[Anonymous]

I have the "about to die" feeling when I'm hyperthyroid. It's a panic disorder that is linked to my hormonal dysregulation. Indeed, my terrible bouts with hyperthyroidism started soon after I gave birth to my son. Please get bloodwork ASAP for T3, T4 hormones and TSH.

Since this can also happen with any hormonal regulation, it's maybe not thyroid, but your progesterone that's cratering (normal after birth) and causing you to panic. In that case you would need progesterone supplements. I had my placenta encapsulated and I consumed it daily in pill form for this very purpose after my second child was born, because I put two and two together and suspected my thyroid issues didn't explain everything, and that postpartum absence of progesterone was also to blame. The placenta contains high levels of iron and progesterone - suggestion for your next pregnancy!

Everything is worse with sleep deprivation. You NEED to sleep.

In the meantime, hang in there, OP. Big hugs. I know how awful it feels. While waiting for meds, what helped me is cold therapy. I would open the freezer and just stand there, or get a cold shower, or apply cold packs. I don't know if this will help you at all, but throwing it out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No honey, that doesn't sound normal

Go to ER if you need to. You may be hemorrhaging or something. I had twins and I didn't feel anything like that after birth. But, I did have a very loooong period last summer (perimenopause) which caused my hemoglobin to drop to dangerous levels. In the 3 nights I was hemorrhaging, I didn't get how severe it was but I remember this distinct feeling that I was going to die, that I wasn't going to make it.

Wouldn’t I be able to tell by bleeding? I’m 8 days PP and it’s really slowed down. Not stopped but nothing concerning (not even close to filling pad and no big clots).

It might be normal. A blood test will tell you more info about hemoglobin, and other things too like the previous PP's mentioned