MANAGING POSTPARTUM FATIGUEIt can be an issue if it gets to be too much
For the most part, postpartum fatigue is a normal part of life with a new baby. Some days we are almost delirious with tiredness, other days we feel more rested. Of course, the good days (as well as the tough, tired days) often have a lot to do with how the baby slept the night before. And that's just the thing, life with a new baby is often not very predictable. The good news is that most mothers start to feel less tired as the weeks and months progress and as baby starts to sleep better. Getting that fatigue under control and getting physically recovered is one of the main tasks of the adjustment process.
Fatigue and Emotional HealthPostpartum fatigue exists along a continuum, going from "normal" physical tiredness/sleep deprivation, to severe physical and emotional exhaustion (more on this below).In other words, postpartum fatigue can be an issue if it gets to be too much. Not only can excessive fatigue lead to physical burn out, it can also lead to a whole host of emotional problems, including postpartum depression, a decreased ability to cope and adjust and other emotional and cognitive problems (1-3). The physical and the emotional go hand in hand In my own research, I've interviewed many new mothers who were "physically and emotionally wiped out" in the weeks and months after birth (4-6). These moms were more than just tired; they were fatigued or even exhausted (see definitions below). Importantly, they often wondered what was going on with them -- did they have depression or were they just really really tired? This is a valid question, as the characteristics of postpartum fatigue and exhaustion are very similar to the symptoms of postpartum depression. (1-6) How did these moms recover from their fatigue and exhaustion? For the most part, they started feeling better -- both physically and emotionally -- once they found ways to prioritize their own self-care. They did this by getting help with child care, delegating certain tasks and responsibilities to others, and by committing to their own self care, no matter what.
The Continuum of Postpartum Fatigue1. TirednessBeing tired is a very normal (and expected) part of the postpartum experience. Tiredness is not a big deal as long as it stays at this level. Just keep making your own self-care a priority -- be sure to get the rest and sleep and breaks you need, eat well, and take care of your activity needs.You might feel forgetful or impatient at times -- especially after a particularly long night being up with baby. You know things are okay, though, because once you get a bit caught up with your rest, you feel pretty normal. 2. Fatigue 3. Exhaustion Exhausted people often experience erratic sleep patterns that include periods of insomnia as well as periods where they just can't seem to get out of bed/stay awake. They can also experience mental confusion, a total loss of energy, emotional numbness, and withdrawal from all normal social activities.
Sources: 1. Olsen, Karin. 2007. "A new way of thinking about fatigue: A reconceptualization," Oncology Nursing Forum 34(1): 93-99. 2. Corwin, Elizabeth, J. Brownstead, N. Barton, S. Heckhard, and K. Morin. 2005. "The impact of fatigue on the development of postpartum depression," JOGNN 34(5): 577-586. 3. Kendall-Tackett, K. 2005. The Hidden Feelings of Motherhood: Coping with Mothering Stress, Depression, and Burnout, 2nd Ed. Amarillo, TX: Pharmasoft Publishing. |
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