https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 19 May 2026 23:44:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/socially-distanced-wintertime-maternity-leave#post-2918332 Mon, 17 Aug 2020 20:36:42 +0000 Shybee23 2918332@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD is due in late October, and I’ll be home by myself with her and DS (age 2.5) for 3-4 months - which I understand is a huge privilege, and I am really grateful to have this bonding time. But I am getting really nervous about my mental health given that we'll likely be pretty isolated due to coronavirus. I had pretty severe postpartum anxiety/PPD with DS, and the only thing that seemed to help was getting out of the house. I met with a moms group once a week that was really my lifeline, and did a lot of "baby and me" classes, etc. - none of which will be an option this time. I'm also worried because my leave will be during the winter months (I was off during the summer with DS), which further limits our options for getting out. </p> <p>I do plan to sign up for a virtual moms group, but I know it won't be quite the same. I'm hoping we can get out for walks (weather permitting, and once I recover from my c-section) but otherwise, I am having trouble thinking of how we'll spend the day, and how I'll keep my mental health on track (other than continuing therapy and meds). </p> <p>Any suggestions for a socially-distanced maternity leave / ways of warding off PPD/PPA? And/or general suggestions for maternity leave in the winter? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-do-you-hide-your-ppd-from-your-kids#post-2891479 Wed, 17 Jul 2019 20:05:07 +0000 pachamama 2891479@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I'm still not doing great mentally. I'm all about emotional transparency and being open and honest about how I'm feeling but my kids (3.5 and 6 months) don't need to hear that I'm depressed. They need a mom who is a stable model of mental health and source of calm and reassurance (both of which I'm not). I know I don't need to be perfect but I'm having a hard time faking happiness and positivity. How do moms do it???<br /> Are you moody/ irritable in front of your kids? Do you tell them you're having a rough time?<br /> Holding in my toxic thoughts and bad mood is exhausting. My therapist said there's value in "faking it til I make it" but some days my fake smile almost kills me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/could-this-be-ppa#post-2891710 Fri, 19 Jul 2019 14:13:02 +0000 MrsSCB 2891710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always thought PPA was just, like...worrying a lot about the baby. But I read through some symptoms recently and am wondering if how I feel could be PPA? I am super irritable, the smallest things can make me ragey. I feel very on edge, like if someone accidentally touches me, it's so startling and I want to smack them away. If even minor things don't go according to plan, I feel SO overwhelmed, like it's the worst thing in the world. And I often feel like my brain is overloaded--constantly moving from one thing to another, like my thoughts are racing. Anyone experience this? Did you end up taking medication? Who would I talk to, my OB? My baby is 16 weeks, so I've already had my follow up appointment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-sertraline-and-orgasms#post-2885598 Sat, 25 May 2019 10:32:39 +0000 pachamama 2885598@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been on Zoloft for 12 days starting at 25 then 50mg for some PPD and anxiety. As soon as I started taking 50 I've been completely unable to orgasm. (And I have it down to a science- it usually takes me 65-75 seconds. I know, I'm weird.)<br /> Does this unfortunate side effect go away? This is a deal breaker for me. 😣 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/cbd-and-mom-life#post-2861591 Tue, 11 Dec 2018 20:59:16 +0000 pachamama 2861591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm curious about CBD products. Does anyone have experience with CBD oil/gummies/ etc? When nursing? For anxiety? I'm assuming it's not safe during nursing but I really want to give it a try at some point in my insanely anxious pent up nutcase life. I know it's a very nascent "medicine" if you even want to call it that and I'm wondering what you all think, if you'd try it or currently consume (?) CBD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-blues-tell-me-it-gets-better#post-2864207 Mon, 31 Dec 2018 15:20:57 +0000 Katrocap 2864207@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter was born the day after Christmas via c-section and everything went will with the procedure and she and I are both healthy. I was fine emotionally in the hospital but the day we came home I start feeling sad in the late afternoon and then crying uncontrollably for hours, worrying about how my life has changed, how my relationship with my 6 y.o. son has changed and then freaking out about existential matters like death and climate change. It's been the same pattern every day since (today is the fourth day). Since I've had S.A.D. in the past, I believe the mood swings are triggered in part by the sun starting to go down. I have a light box I've been using and I think that helps, but it doesn't stop the crying or negative thoughts.</p> <p>Six years ago after my son was born I was diagnosed with PPD. However my midwife diagnosed me on my first day home from the hospital and prescribed me a really powerful drug, Ativan. I'm not sure I even had full on PPD but Ativan didn't really help and in fact was extremely difficult to go off of once I started feeling better. It took a few months to feel better, and I think that was just due to time passing. I already take antidepressants, which worked fine before a few days ago, and I'm worried that if this is PPD I might have to take a more powerful drug.</p> <p>Anyways, I'm hoping this is, in fact, just the baby blues, and I'm writing this in the hopes that other moms can tell me it gets better. I read that 75% of moms experience similar mood swings and that usually they go away within two weeks. That seems like a long time to me at this moment, but I'm hoping it's true. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/warning-this-may-be-a-trigger-for-some-post-partum-anxiety#post-2859224 Fri, 30 Nov 2018 01:23:06 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2859224@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess I just want to know if my thoughts are normal or if they are severe anxiety seeping through my medication. I’m considering seeking a therapist. </p> <p>I find it hard to enjoy my two girls sometimes because I worry that having them is too good to be true. I constantly worry that I’ll lose them. That one of them will die. It hurts to even write that. But I think about it every day. I’m haunted by it. The thought of losing them absolutely kills me. I know I could not go on living if anything were to happen to them. </p> <p>I love them with literally all of my being. They’re what I’ve waited for and wanted my entire life. I had them at 36 and 39 (they’re almost 4 and 9 months). Of course there are difficult times, but I usually just bask in the glow of them. But sometimes at night, I think back on the day or look at pictures and start to worry and fear and panic about losing either of them. </p> <p>Does anyone else think this way or have these worries? I know everyone worries about their kids, but is this normal? </p> <p>I can’t talk to anyone about this in real life. So, thank you for “listening.” :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daddy-blues#post-2810769 Tue, 20 Mar 2018 06:02:45 +0000 CC Mommy 2810769@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I are staying at his parents' house-DD is 6 days old. I am so thankful that we made a trip home together while MIL watched the baby, so we could gather extra supplies. DH opened to me some things he's been feeling and it is without a doubt PPD. I looked up "daddy blues" and explained to him that men actually experience a lower testosterone level and a higher estrogen level after having a baby. This is enhanced by stress, which he just came out of a busy season as an auditor &amp; he is having to translate and mediate misunderstandings between me and his parents. (Dry umbilical cord, no extra blankets in the crib, don't walk off and leave the baby on the edge of the bed) ... as well as (my mom didn't mean it critically when she said it did "x,y,z" ...he feels horrible and says he doesn't feel like he has the right to be a dad, because he misses our life together pre-baby and wants to rewind, etcetera. I have never seen that man sob, but he was sobbing and wouldn't look me in the eye because he was so embarrassed. Please tell me there is support for post-partum dad's out there. Up until this point I didn't even know anything was wrong--he helps immensely with baby and mommy care, he takes tons of pictures and dote's on her and me both, and even though he is going through this, he still laughs at weird things she does and when we got back here, he said "I love her so much, I don't know how I could feel that way." Any help? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nannymothers-helpernight-nurse-oh-my#post-2800797 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 11:03:31 +0000 math.nerd 2800797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello all! </p> <p>I'm only 9 weeks preggo with number 2 but I'm starting to think about the kind of help I'll need when this kiddo arrives. After my son was born, I tried to do everything myself. My husband went back to work right away and my mom would help, but she's older now and I want her to be just Grandma - not nanny.</p> <p>I was very depressed as a new mom and I want to make plans now to do things differently this time. I know that there are many options out there, so I wanted to know...</p> <p>What did you do for help during your maternity leave and if/when you went back to work (I will be going back to work at some point). What did you like about the route you chose? What would you have done differently? How much did it cost (yikes)? </p> <p>Any advice would be appreciated!! Thank you all! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/helpful-suggestions#post-2799357 Wed, 24 Jan 2018 10:16:20 +0000 babybunnylove 2799357@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I need suggestions of how to make it through the day when you are having a bad anxiety day and you have work, meetings, kids, etc. a full schedule to handle but you don’t feel like you can do any of it but have to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/online-therapy#post-2785761 Sat, 11 Nov 2017 14:49:27 +0000 Elbarn 2785761@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi everyone,</p> <p>This is my first time posting and I was hoping to get some incite from other parents. I’m currently looking into doing online therapy via Skype. I’ve been feeling like I could really benefit from therapy right now but honestly don’t have the time to go in person. My DH and I both work full time and DH works very late at night, which is one of my big issues. Im home at night with our 2 year old but was thinking I could fit in online therapy once she’s asleep at night. Has anyone done this? I understand there are Hipaa issues involved but this may be the only way for me to fit it in. Looking online, there are so many websites offering this but it’s really overwhelming and hard to know what’s legit. I greatly appreciate any help and advice in advance! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-who-suffered-from-ppdppa#post-2754710 Mon, 03 Jul 2017 22:00:47 +0000 Goldengirl 2754710@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did you have another baby after having PPD with your first, or are you planning to? I'm not at all ready to plan for another at this point since LO is still an infant, but the thought keeps popping into my head when I think about our plans for the future and a potential second child. I worry that my PPD/PPA was so bad that it's traumatized me so much that I'm scared to ever go through it again. Interested to hear from others who were in the same boat, and how was it with your second, if anyone is willing to share? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-experience-ppd#post-2462504 Mon, 15 Feb 2016 21:08:15 +0000 lovehoneybee 2462504@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When did you realize there was a problem? How did you manage it? (Meds, counseling, both? Something else?) How long until you felt even again? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-really-want-another-baby-but#post-2696238 Sat, 11 Feb 2017 17:59:48 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2696238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter just turned 2 and I'm starting to really yearn for another baby. My DH has been on the fence about trying again because I went through a horrible time with postpartum depression and anxiety. We always thought we wanted at least 2, but this has really brought him doubts. I know I still want another and I think I'd be better prepared the second time around. Anyone else go through something similar? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/for-those-whove-had-ppdppa#post-2693372 Tue, 07 Feb 2017 21:38:54 +0000 Goldengirl 2693372@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When did you feel like things got better or you had recovered? I have PPD/A and am being treated for it. Things are definitely better overall, but it's still pretty rough and there are days like today where I feel like I'm right back at the beginning. Would love to hear from others who went through it and to know when it got better for you. Need to see a light at the end of the tunnel! I know this won't last forever but sometimes it really feels like it will... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tell-me-it-gets-better#post-2652915 Wed, 16 Nov 2016 08:20:38 +0000 Goldengirl 2652915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've been having some pretty hardcore baby blues this past first week postpartum. The sleep deprivation is unreal and I cry a lot out of nowhere and am constantly worried and anxious about the baby and his health and that I can't handle him, as well as panicking that my life is over and it will be this hard forever. I know from researching that the baby blues are extremely common at this point and usually temporary due to hormones.. but it's still so hard to see an end in sight. Everything feels really repetitive now, like this neverending cycle.</p> <p>For moms who've been through it and come out of the fog, I'd love to hear that it does get better!! I feel like not enough people talk about how rough this newborn period is, but holy moly, it's been hard. My eyes are even shutting typing this post :silly: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-have-crazy-thoughts-after-the-birth-of-your-baby#post-2644487 Fri, 28 Oct 2016 12:33:39 +0000 mediagirl 2644487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ohhhh I did. I never told anyone about most of them because I feared they would call me crazy and lock me up away from my baby. I daydreamed about the knives in my kitchen and hurting my baby. :sad: I never did anything, obviously! but I would be sitting there nursing and this crazy daydream would pop into my head and freaked me out. I realize now I probably should have told my OB and gotten some help for postpartum issues. </p> <p>Did you have any crazy thoughts postpartum? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-anxiety-about-my-health-any-coping-tips#post-2635719 Wed, 12 Oct 2016 13:28:13 +0000 Paddington10 2635719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello,<br /> I just had my son on Friday and got home from the hospital yesterday. I should be happy, but suddenly I am becoming very anxious about every post-partum symptom I'm having. I am super-vigilant about swelling (I'm convinced my legs look swollen even though my husband says they aren't), blood clots, et cetera. I am wondering if any of you ladies dealt with this and how to keep things in check. It's almost like my body can't deal with the enormity of having new baby so I am fixating elsewhere. I keep envisioning having a blood clot that travels to my lungs. Of course I read a story about this before leaving the hospital, completely accidentally - it popped up on a FB feed. :( Can anyone offer suggestions or advice? Also have any of you ever had a blood clot? I figure I would know if I had one...I called my nurse who basically said I didn't need to worry unless it was very painful, red, swollen, and hot. I wish I could just take her at her word but my anxiety is going nuts. Sorry for the rambling post. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/baby-blues-ppd-ppa-support-thread#post-2528283 Tue, 19 Apr 2016 01:03:50 +0000 MrsLilybugg 2528283@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have been meaning to start a support thread for a while, but I've been too overwhelmed to really confront my feelings in one place until now. LO is 4 weeks and I can finally feel myself pulling out of the depths of my baby blues. I found that reading other women's experiences helped me feel less alone - so thought this could be a place where we could all share our stories. Even if you went through it years ago, your story could make someone going through this confusing time feel less alone . :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-a-history-of-depression-did-you-get-ppd#post-2610308 Thu, 25 Aug 2016 16:45:00 +0000 BSB 2610308@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did not. I was really afraid prior to getting pregnant that my history of depression would give me a higher risk of getting PPD. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/zoloft-help#post-2503503 Tue, 22 Mar 2016 16:23:46 +0000 Emarie5 2503503@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi friends-<br /> Been on Zoloft for years. Started when I was pregnant with my first. Gave birth to my second a few months ago and have had horrible ppd/anxiety. Currently, on 100mg of Zoloft, dr just switched me to 150mg. I'm having trouble sleeping and eating. Has anyone had any positive experiences upping the dose?? Any help would be great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/could-this-be-ppd#post-2488167 Tue, 08 Mar 2016 22:10:07 +0000 schubr03 2488167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I guess I really haven't done a lot of research on PPD. Does PPD have to only concern your relationship with your baby? I feel like I am very disconnected to my husband and I feel pretty lonely. When he is home and trying to be nice and lovey to me, I tend to push him away and don't really want him to be close to me. I feel sad because I want to feel that flame again, but I just can't right now. I feel too overwhelmed by being a mom. I put the baby first.<br /> I guess my question is, can PPD be related to my relationship with my husband. Is this something I should talk to a doctor about? And if it is, do I talk to my OB/GYN or someone else? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/anyone-take-seroquel#post-2466134 Thu, 18 Feb 2016 12:30:07 +0000 ladybee 2466134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My PPD/PPA after DS2 (who's 2 weeks old today) has been horrible. I've been seeing a psychiatrist since I was 16 weeks pregnant since my depression and anxiety were so bad. My OB took me off some meds at the end and it has turned out to be a horrible idea. </p> <p>At birth, I was on a low does of AD and have had it upped twice. On Monday, my psychiatrist added 25mg of Seroquel once a day, at bedtime. The first night it knocked me on my ass, the second night wasn't as bad, and last night was a little better. The issue is I do not hear my newborn crying, like at all. Maybe it'll get into my dream but when DH tries to wake me, I'm in a daze, almost like drunk.</p> <p>I've emailed my doctor to see if this is normal or if I could cut my dose and see improvement. I was just hoping someone here has some experience. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/ppd-worse-before-it-gets-better#post-2384618 Thu, 10 Dec 2015 16:52:06 +0000 ldh112 2384618@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started seeing a counselor about 2 months ago. My daughter is 5.5 months old. My main issues have been around our nursing relationship not going as planned. Counseling has been helpful in working through my disappointment and I also began taking 50 mg Zoloft. </p> <p>When weaning happened unexpectedly in the last week, I sort of hit an even lower point. I had hoped to keep am/pm nursing but with gradually weaning for the last month, my supply just didn't keep up with my expectations. I am incredibly irritable, picking fights with my husband constantly. I feel detached from him and like all I can focus on is being a mom. I'm increasingly harder on myself. I am still so disappointed with how nursing went for us. I am also SO tired of feeling sad about it.</p> <p>Anyway, did this happen to anyone else? Feelings getting worse even with therapy/meds? I'm thinking its the actual ending of nursing that is doing it but maybe it's coupled with the overall post partum hormonal issues. I did read that gradual weaning as opposed to cold turkey weaning should safe guard against a big hormone drop. At any rate, I am considering having my medication tweaked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/postpartum-anxiety#post-2377570 Thu, 03 Dec 2015 21:45:31 +0000 sorrycharlie 2377570@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you dealt with - or are dealing with - postpartum anxiety, how are you doing?</p> <p>I'm almost 11 months postpartum and I think my PPA has just melded into my pre-existing generalized anxiety disorder. I'm still on Lexapro but we just bumped my dose up a bit. I definitely notice a sharp increase in intrusive thoughts if I miss a dose, too. Ugh. </p> <p>I've been seeing the same psychiatrist since I was 14 weeks pregnant (my local women &amp; infants' hospital's mental health division) and we are talking about switching my prescription care to my PCP. Maybe once I wean DD in the next year it'll feel less like "postpartum" and just anxiety? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/did-you-find-any-common-misconceptions-when-telling-your-both-story#post-2355423 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:57:44 +0000 Maysprout 2355423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When people asked if it really hurts that bad and I said it was the most pain I ever felt, people seemed to think being athletic and having done a good share of grueling workouts would have toughened me up against the pain. Nope! But I didn't realize how common it was to think working out could prevent labor pains. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/do-you-discuss-your-birth-story#post-2355364 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 10:29:10 +0000 Maysprout 2355364@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I felt a little shell shocked after birth and was pretty open about the experience for the first few months. I think talking about it helped me cope. I wasn't going and telling strangers but if people asked i didn't mind talking. I did feel bad when a friend who was pregnant called and was asking for details and then she said she was scared and ended up crying later - whoops. It pretty much never comes up now, my youngest just turned 2 and I have a much less emotional, summarized version when it does come up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-are-you-feeling-mentally-post-partum#post-2343835 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 08:38:54 +0000 regberadaisy 2343835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My younger is 14m and overall I feel good! There's obviously the stress of day to day life and shit just going wrong left and right. I had a period when my cycle came back that I was seriously considering going to my OB to make sure I didn't have PPD or PPA. But thankfully once my period came, I felt more "normal".</p> <p>How are you feeling after having a baby? How far PP are you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-had-severe-ppappd-with-lo-1#post-2326170 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 17:09:51 +0000 Ra 2326170@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>...did you have it with LO #2? I suffered from some pretty severe PPA/PPD after I had my son. Mine was a late onset and even now, at over 2-years-old, I'm still struggling with its effects.</p> <p>My husband and I go back and forth on the topic of #2 but the main thing that is holding us both back is my mental health. We are both terrified it's going to hit me again or, even more scary, be worse than last time.</p> <p>I have an annual coming up in December where I will bring this up with my OB but was hoping some of you would share your experiences. </p>