Fatigue syndrom in women

Zuhal Karabaş Eyüboğlu

We, as women, may occasionally feel fatigued because of our wish to control everything and undertake all tasks. The fatigue shows itself even more in the spring.

Undoubtedly, there are also other kinds of fatigue together with spring or winter fatigue. One of them is known to be the postnatal fatigue. After giving birth to my son, I also had that kind of tiredness for long. But it is not necessarily valid for all mothers, do not worry!

Even so, it is a sweet tiredness as the period after the birth is quite joyful. So much so that, these kinds of situations do not affect the mother at all. Yet, one has to care about some points, that is all. First stage is the post-natal period.

Even though I did not have much oedema in my feet throughout the pregnancy, I could hardly step on my feet for some time after the birth. Apart from that, I had pain in my neck and arms. I thought I had certainly cervical disc hernia!

I rushed to the doctor just to learn that it is simply a common complaint of nursing mothers. I had believed in my prediction so firmly that I was not even delighted to hear that...

Besides, I was running out energy so easily those days. I was starving as if I had not eaten for years even if I ate 2 hours earlier. In addition, I felt tired and sleepy after nursing.

Doctors say that there are various causes of these complaints. The changing lifesytle and focusing on the baby for long hours without caring for yourself are primary causes.

Apart from these, burning calories in the action of nursing, taking a wrong position while nursing the baby, hormonal changes, insufficient resting and unbalanced diet also cause fatigue and pain during the postnatal process.

Specialists stress that getting support from mothers, husbands and other close acquaintances is quite important for getting over the period less fatigued. I got over it very comfortably thanks to the support of mothers and my husband. I had a lot of rest and a balanced diet then. What about the end of postnatal period?

When the 40-days of puerperality is over, you are no more a princess. You find yourselves bustling about. "Perfection syndrom" of many women continues after the birth with the insistence of "I am happy doing all myself!". If you get back to the work after all, your time will be even more limited with personal care being added to the agenda.

Bearing the influences of living in a patriarchal community, we make the life "harder" for ourselves keeping the tradition of women undertaking all households. However, the number of supporting, loving husbands is getting abundant in the modern family. Men are more careful and ardent about appreciating their women.

Hand in hand with this transformation, I suppose that 8 March International Women's Day is more conscientiously celebrated nowadays in our country. Actually, the story of the day is quite tragic. 157 years ago, 40,000 women went on a strike for better labour conditions in the USA. However, due to faulty attempts by the police, 129 women burned to die.

The day was celebrated in the memory of these women; however, it has become an international day based on human rights. Now, the day symbolizes the improvement of political and social awareness among women and the celebration of their economic, politic and social achievements.

The day has another importance for me. It is also my birthday. So, I want to express my wish for the 8 March. Dear fathers and fathers-to-be, please appreciate your women and try to support them better than now. Dear mothers and mothers-tobe, please allow them to help you and trust them.

Mutual trust, patience and true/honest interaction is the key for happiness and peace in a relationship.