Did any one else struggle with anxiety post partum? I just delivered Monday so I know this is partly just regular baby blues. But I simply can not sleep. Last night it was mostly because LO screamed all night but even when hubs would take her I just couldn't sleep because my mind is just racing with worry about is she eating enough? Peeing enough? Is she going to suffocate in the rock and play? An I ever going to sleep again and stop worrying??? All these thoughts just cycle through my head and I can't turn it off...
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Yes, I struggled with postpartum anxiety. For me, it got worse with the less and less sleep I got and unfortunately it was a cycle: more anxiety --> less sleep --> even more anxiety --> even less sleep. I had a real fear that I would never sleep again. This for me eventually turned into full-blown PPD. But this may certainly not be the case for you!
Sometimes it is just first-time mom jitters, which are completely normal. But if the pattern continues and you aren't able to relax or sleep at all, perhaps you want to talk to your OB or primary care about it?
Hang in there. Things will get better.
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Member duckduckkristen did - you might write on her wall to ask her about her experience.
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My head would flash images of the worst things that could happen. I would look at a set of stairs and literally see myself as a mangled heap at the bottom. I would see knives cutting through fingers etc. It was really hard to do many normal things because I would see the bad thing that happened. Then, my heart and my brain would race. For me it got worse at around 3 months old and slowly got better around 9 months.
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Yes. I think it's totally normal in the beginning, but as @Mrs Checkers said, if it doesn't subside after a few weeks or if you start feeling worse, definitely talk to someone.
I'm actually now on anti-anxiety meds, which have made a big difference. However, I did wait until I stopped nursing when LO was 2.5 months old.
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I get anxious when I drive now, which I never did before. And considering DH doesn't drive.....
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Yes. I was so anxious about how it would be if LO got sick or was mega fussy or whatever, and I'd worry about how I'd be able to handle it. I was so overwhelmed with the idea thay i was going to be responsible for this little timy creature for the next two decades. A lot of it was hormones but its also my personality to worry so it was magnified by a million because of the hormones. It subsided at about 3.5 weeks. The first couple weeks are the worst and it should gradually get better. Hang in there!
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@MamaMoose: Yes, I felt the same way right after LO was born. I'd get nervous when anyone other than I was holding him because I was scared that he'd stop breathing and they wouldn't notice. I couldn't sleep and I'd lay in bed with my hand on his chest to make sure he was breathing. I had a few breakdowns over it- just convinced something horrible would happen. While he was sleeping I'd be googling about how much he should be sleeping, how much he should be eating. I worried about everything! I still worry but I can sleep now and I'm a lot more comfortable!
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Thanks all for the responses!
@Running Elley: I feel like you and I had very similar experiences regarding worry during our pregnancies too do given our similarities it was great to hear your experience is improving!
Hubs made me take a Percocet so I would nap while LO napper. I could feel myself thinking more rationally as I fell asleep and now I feel MUCH better after a couple of hours of rest. Hoping my issues are just hormonal and will get better over time.
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Yes, I was so anxious at first. I kept thinking that she would stop breathing or something so I didn't want to sleep. Don't worry, it's totally normal and you won't be able to keep it up. You're going to get so tired in a few days that you'll just start sleeping more.
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@MamaMoose: WHAT???? How did I miss that you had your LO!!???? Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As for your question, yes. I had serious anxiety. The weird thing is, I am not a worrier normally. I did not sleep much those first two months. I was always afraid something would go wrong. LO was right next to me in her bassinet but I would constantly check on her to make sure she was breathing. Then, she wasn't gaining weight so the pediatrician was freaking me out saying she was going to be a failure to thrive baby and ugh. It wasn't good. I never wanted to put her down because I knew she was safe in my arms. I didn't swaddle b/c I was afraid the swaddle would break open and end up over her head. Ugh.
I still check on her from time to time when she's sleeping (put my hand on her to feel her breathing) but it's much better now.
I hope you're doing well other than the anxiety!!!!
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I did! I had what my therapist described as a "fear of impending doom". My fear was less about the baby and more that something awful would happen like someone would break in and kill us or that we'd get in a car accident. I also thought I was having a heart attack every time I got heart burn! I saw a therapist for a couple months and that helped a lot. She had me get the Pregnancy And Postpartum Anxiety Workbook which was also very helpful. It's on amazon. Most therapists will usually suggest meds, as mine did, but I didn't want them and my anxiety got a lot better through just talking and using the workbook. You don't have to live in fear, so don't feel bad about seeing a therapist!
I know this sounds ridiculous at the point you are at now, but sleep is so incredibly important! Like ms checkers said, lack of sleep feeds the anxiety. I hope you can get can some rest and feel better soon!
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@brownie: I've had similar images. I saw a therapist for a short while, and learned some techniques, self talk, visualization and deep breathing exercises. I still have to keep myself in check at times, and I agrees with other pps especially when I'm tired, but also especially when I'm stressed about other things as well. Therapy has helped but not made it go away. My therapist suggest meds, but I am still nursing and preferred to try other things. I had anxiety attacks during pregnancy too, baby hormones have made me an anxious mess!
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Thanks for asking this question! I'm struggling with the same thing myself. I know sleep is a huge part of if. Hoping it gets better with time.
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@Mrs. Tricycle: lots of good advice from the hellobee ladies! Hoping we both start to feel better soon : )
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@Mrs.M57: thanks for sharing. I felt like I was the only person who had this. I just realized reading your response that it ended when I got my new job and left that toxic environment. I didn't get help (though I think I should have). I was fairly certain it wasn't conventional post partum depression which is what is most talked about.
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I had the hardest time sleeping as well because my mind was racing and I couldn't settle down. I took some hylands calms forte and they helped me sleep sooo well. I take them whenever I have a rough night. They're not a drug so you don't have to worry about side effects if you don't sleep x amount of hours. Good luck!!! I hope you feel better soon and hope your DD starts to sleep better
the first month is rough..
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It hasn't affected my sleep but I am terrified of something happening to her. Last week my mind was conjuring up all kinds of horrible scenarios that could happen to her and it was terrifying. This week feels better though. Hope it gets easier for you soon.
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@brownie: i thought i was the only one too, i kept googling my symptoma and it doesnt come up as ppd. yea, I didn't get help for it until about 5 months pp. I thought it was just mommy worry until my thoughts were literally horrifying me and making me feel guilty for thinking such awful things. I talked to hubby and he was really supportive. Definitely tough, and I still struggle just not nearly as bad.
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@MamaMoose: You can also try unisom - It was safe while pregnant and it's over the counter. I'd double check if you are BF but I think it's safe for BF too. I still take it on occasion.
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Thanks for posting this question....I thought I was the only lunatic who slept with her hand under her baby's nose to feel for breathing...
I even tried to take a shower with him in my arms because I didn;t want to leave him alone (even sleeping in his swing) while I showered.
It is tremendously better not that he is just about 7w old...I think i've relaxed a bit.
However, when we leave the house it is terrible. I have him in his baby carried, strapped right to me, because I have a crazy fear that someone will come up and snatch my grocery cart with my baby in it. But, I think that too shall pass..
I never tried any sleep aids... basically, I gave into my fears because it made me feel better for the time being. However, if you don't feel less anxious within a few weeks, I recommend talking to your doctor:) -
I just wanted to update this thread in case any other new mamas come across it. Things are so much better now at two weeks in. @Andrea: was exactly right and after a few days my exhaustion and need for sleep won out over my anxiety. Two other things that were a big help to me were having a long chat with my pedi about it, and moving LO to her crib. I feel safer with her in there and also I can't hear her harmless grunts and coos so we don't wake each other up all night! Letting my husband take over a lot has also relieved a ton of stress for me.
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@MamaMoose: after 2 weeks I moved her out of my room and into the nursery/crib as well. I also have a noisy sleeper so we all got so much more rest that way. You sound like you're doing great!
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@MamaMoose: @Andrea: when baby went into the crib did you use a monitor? Or just have doors open?
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@hellobeeboston: we have a video motor and her room is next to ours. I didn't want to hear every little noise so I didn't have the volume on but I kept our bedroom door open. So if she started to really cry, then we would wake up and go in. I think this may have helped her STTN quickly, too, bc we did not respond to every little noise.
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@hellobeeboston: we keep the doors open and also have a video monitor. Once I know she's down I turn the monitor volume to the lowest setting so it only picks up real cries.
the first month is rough..
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