Postpartum Exhaustion: Causes, Symptoms, and When to Seek Help

Postpartum exhaustion is a state of extreme fatigue, a physical, mental, and emotional condition that affects more than half of women after giving birth.

It is characterized by a persistent lack of energy, a deep sense of tiredness, and significant difficulties concentrating. All of this interferes with the quality of life of the woman and her well-being.

Feeling tired after becoming a mother is completely normal. It is the expected response of your body to everything that has happened to it (pregnancy, childbirth) and what continues to happen (postpartum).

However, if this physical and mental exhaustion persists beyond the first few weeks after childbirth, does not improve over time, and maintains its intensity, action should be taken.

In consultations, we often observe common doubts from mothers about whether their fatigue falls within the expected range. Our recommendation is to pay attention to the signals that typically motivate a professional consultation.

Table of Contents

• Postpartum fatigue is more complex than it seems
• Signs of physical and emotional exhaustion after childbirth
• What you can do to start recovering
• How lack of rest influences recovery
• Situations that increase the burden during postpartum
• When to seek professional help

Postpartum fatigue is more complex than it seems

Postpartum exhaustion is a combination of hormonal changes, physical recovery of the body, and the high demands of caring for a newborn.

Therefore, it is very common for it to be accompanied by a noticeable loss of energy.

In the postpartum period, there is a drastic drop in estrogen and progesterone (which can decrease by up to 90% in the first 24-48 hours after giving birth). This is a natural and necessary process for your body to readjust and produce milk.

However, this leads to certain emotional alterations that can manifest as postpartum sadness (or baby blues) or more severe depressions.

Additionally, low iron levels and a thyroid function alteration can be partly responsible for this extreme fatigue.

We must also consider that your body is settling back: organs return to their usual places, tissues start to recover… In this recovery process, which can last many months, the body consumes a lot of energy.

This energy is crucial to meet the high demands of a newborn. During the first weeks of life, their sleep is very light and fragmented, and this also has a direct impact on family rest.

Inevitably, the quality and quantity of nighttime sleep for the mother is significantly affected by the arrival of the new family member.

Around 80% of new mothers report not sleeping well at night and getting barely 6 hours of sleep daily during the first 6 weeks after giving birth.

This percentage drops to half when we talk about persistent fatigue in the eighth week of postpartum.

One of the most common mistakes related to maternal self-demand is not being able to rest when the baby rests.

All of this makes this a particularly vulnerable period for the mother. This cocktail predisposes her to suffer certain health problems and live in a state of severe fatigue.

Signs of physical and emotional exhaustion after childbirth

As you can see, postpartum exhaustion syndrome or severe fatigue is not just tiredness or lack of sleep; it is much more complex.

Each woman may experience it in a different way and intensity. However, there are certain signs that will help you identify if you are suffering from physical and emotional exhaustion:

• Extreme and persistent fatigue, meaning it does not go away after resting and lasts all day.
• Problems with concentration and memory, mental fog, and difficulty making any type of decisions.
• Lack of energy to perform daily activities such as preparing food or caring for the baby.
• Mood swings and irritability.
• Difficulty falling asleep and maintaining sleep despite being tired.
• Muscle weakness, muscle pain, and headaches.
• Difficulty connecting emotionally with your baby.

These are some of the signs that usually motivate a professional consultation.

What you can do to start recovering

Extreme fatigue does not have to be a condition you live with: it needs to be addressed.

There are a series of strategies to manage postpartum exhaustion in the best possible way and regain your well-being and vitality.

In general terms, rest, healthy eating, emotional support, and exercise are vital for your recovery.

Here are some things you can do to start recovering:

• Prioritize your rest: synchronize your rest with the baby's (naps help your body regenerate).
• Take care of your diet by maintaining a healthy and balanced diet rich in proteins, iron, healthy fats, and vitamins.
• Stay hydrated: drink enough water to maintain the body's balance.
• Delegate household tasks, some baby care, and mental load.
• Stay active and engage in low-intensity exercises: such as yoga, stretching, walking (improves circulation, oxygenation, and mood).
• Seek emotional support from your surroundings and/or professional help if needed.

How lack of rest influences recovery

Sleep deprivation significantly increases the likelihood of suffering from depression and anxiety. Taking care of mental health during motherhood is also part of recovery and deserves the same attention as physical recovery.

Not sleeping adequately weakens the immune system (increases the risk of infections), delays tissue healing, and decreases the body's natural pain tolerance.

However, not sleeping affects not only physically but also mentally and emotionally.

Sleep deprivation significantly increases the likelihood of suffering from depression and anxiety. This also inevitably interferes with the recovery process.

Situations that increase the burden during postpartum

Apart from accumulated lack of rest, there are other situations that can hinder your recovery and increase the burden in the postpartum period.

Common pains after childbirth, healing, and adapting to breastfeeding are some of them.

From a psychological perspective, self-demand, feelings of guilt, the difference between the motherhood you had dreamed of and reality also have a significant impact on your emotional stability.

Other social factors such as lack of real support and help from your partner, family, and friends, and not feeling accompanied or understood in the postpartum are triggers that increase the burden on a new mother.

Financial stress and/or fear of returning to work after having your baby can also be a factor.

When to seek professional help

If the exhaustion does not go away over time, if the situation worsens, and affects your mood and health, you should seek professional help. There are three types of specialists who can make a significant difference in your recovery process after childbirth, depending on your physical and emotional situation.

If you feel deep sadness, persistent anxiety, or lack of emotional connection with your baby, it is best to request a consultation with a perinatal psychologist.

To improve family rest after the arrival of a new family member, it is advisable to consult with a child sleep consultant.

On the other hand, your midwife, gynecologist, or family doctor can also help you in the postpartum recovery process by reviewing your hormonal health and assessing your physical and emotional state.

The ultimate goal is to find solutions and thus regain your well-being.