What Causes Extreme Fatigue After a Complicated Birth?

BySamradni Pradhan
Updated: 2 Dec 2025, 11:00 am

After giving birth, your body takes its time to recover and heal naturally, but when it’s a case of complicated delivery, you can experience extreme fatigue. This overwhelming tiredness not only results from sleepless nights but also supports your body's healing from physical strain, hormonal changes, and emotional stress. Having a general understanding helps you care for your body and recover more quickly.

Pregatips.com
Bringing a baby into the world is considered one of the miracles the human body can perform. But if your birth was complicated, whether due to a C-section, excessive bleeding, prolonged labour, or medical interventions, you might find yourself worked up at extreme. It’s more than normal pregnancy exhaustion; it’s deep fatigue that affects you mentally, physically, and takes away your ability to do most of the chores.
In this article:
Let’s understand the causes, the signs to look out for, and how to support your recovery step by step.

Why Do You Feel So Tired After a Difficult Birth?

After a complicated birth, fatigue comes from a mix of physical recovery, hormonal imbalance, and emotional stress.
  • Physical trauma: Your body has taken too much stress physically - tears, stitches, and extreme pain.
  • Blood loss: Heavy bleeding (postpartum haemorrhage) can cause anaemia, leading to shortness of breath, fatigue and dizziness.
  • Disbalance in hormones: After delivery, your oestrogen and progesterone levels crash down suddenly. This sharp drop in hormone levels can affect the body’s overall energy and mood.
  • Sleeplessness: Fulfilling the baby’s necessity and feeding schedules makes proper sleep almost impossible in the early weeks.

Emotional Stress Resulting in Worse Fatigue

After a complicated delivery, emotions reach their peak. It might make you feel anxious, guilty, or even frightened by what actually happened. Emotional strain releases stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can worsen physical fatigue and affect your overall sleep.

If you constantly feel low or sad, or find it difficult to connect with your baby, you might be experiencing postpartum depression. This condition affects about 1 in 8 post-pregnancy individuals worldwide.

What Medical Factors Can Deepen Post-Birth Fatigue?

In some cases, medical issues can prolong or intensify tiredness:
  • Anaemia (blood loss): Common after blood loss during or after delivery; it reduces the number of cells that carry haemoglobin and oxygen, resulting in weakness
  • Infections: After a C-section or episiotomy, infections can delay recovery and consume energy
  • Change in thyroid: Postpartum thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland, can cause severe fatigue
  • Dehydration or poor nutrition: Skipping meals or not drinking enough water slows recovery and lowers energy levels

How to Know If Your Fatigue Isn’t Normal?

While some weakness is expected, extreme fatigue that doesn’t heal with rest could be a red flag. Look carefully for these signs in your body:
  • Feeling weak or fainting frequently
  • Rapid heartbeat even after mild chores
  • Constant restlessness, irritability, or guilt
  • Difficulty in concentrating or staying awake
  • Heavy bleeding or unusual discharge
If you notice these symptoms, it’s time to contact your doctor.

What is the time period for regaining energy after a complicated delivery?

Healing time varies depending on your experience:
  • After a C-section: Usually 6-8 weeks, but full recovery may take longer if you had some infections or complications.
  • After heavy bleeding: It can take several months for your iron levels to get back to normal.
  • After prolonged labour: Muscle fatigue and back pain might stay for a few weeks.

What Can You Do to Regain Strength and Energy?

Here’s an applicable recovery plan:
  • Take small naps when your baby sleeps, even if it’s for a short duration
  • Consume spinach, lentils, or cereals in your diet. Take iron pills only if your doctor approves of them.
  • Aim for an ample amount of water daily to support healing, energy, and milk production
  • Moving around a little with the doctor’s advice to improve blood circulation
  • Seek assistance from your loved ones to look after the baby so you can rest
  • If you feel overwhelmed all the time, you should see a doctor
  • Take your prescription seriously to promote healing faster

When Should You Look for a Doctor?

Contact your doctor if you experience:
  • Severe fatigue or exhaustion that lasts beyond 8 weeks
  • Weakness or rapid heartbeat
  • Heavy or prolonged bleeding
  • Constant feelings of sadness or restlessness

The Emotional Impact of Complicated Birth

Fatigue doesn’t just affect you physically; it also affects your emotions about how you feel as a mother. You might find it difficult to connect with your baby or feel guilty for not being enough for the baby. But this doesn’t mean you are weak or incapable. Emotional support from your loved ones can go a long way. Sharing responsibilities, their presence, resting together, soft talks, or constant motivation eases the burden and makes you feel better.

If your fatigue feels unbearable, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. Counselling and support groups for new mothers can help you recover emotionally while your body heals physically.

What To Do Next: A Quick Checklist

  • Prioritise rest and diet daily
  • Take your loved ones' help with chores and feeding the baby
  • Schedule a persistent postnatal check-up
  • Keep track of your mood and energy levels
  • Don’t ignore constant exhaustion
Extreme fatigue after a complicated delivery isn’t something to “push through.” It's your body's way to tell you that you need care, rest, and attention. Healing takes time, especially when your delivery is complicated. Letting your body take its time, maintaining a proper diet, and seeking timely medical support will help your body heal with greater strength and time.

Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.

FAQs on What Causes Extreme Fatigue After A Complicated Birth

  1. How long does extreme fatigue last after childbirth?
    Generally, fatigue fades within 6–8 weeks, but if it was a complicated delivery, healing might take longer. If fatigue continues even after two months, it’s best to consult your doctor.
  2. Can “postpartum depression” cause fatigue?
    Yes, as emotional stress can lead to fatigue, it can deplete your energy. If you constantly feel sad, hopeless, anxious or disconnected from your baby, you might be experiencing postpartum depression and should seek help from professionals.
  3. Which food can help in fighting postpartum fatigue?
    Iron-enriched foods like spinach can boost energy. Drinking lots of water and taking a proper meal helps in faster healing.
Disclaimer: Dr Sunita Lamba, Director & Senior Consultant at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals, Vikas Puri, Department of Gynecology

Related Stories

  1. What to Wear for Comfort After a C-Section
  2. Is it Really True That Women Forget the Pain of Childbirth?
  3. Postpartum Care in 2025
  4. What Causes Extreme Fatigue After a Complicated Birth?
  5. Why Rest Is Crucial After a Difficult Labour
  6. How Fluid Retention Can Affect Recovery After Childbirth