Postpartum anxiety

[Tinamoore2685]

Three months ago I had a baby via c-section. My twin sister gave birth four months prior and had an extremely traumatic experience. I couldn’t get this out of my head a subsequently had a breakdown that landed me in crisis services. I was convinced that something was going to go wrong and that I would die. I still have these thoughts even though it’s been three months and I’m on medication. Every ache and pain sends me reeling. How do I cope with and irrational fear ?

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Welcome to this site! I went through postpartum depression, I think if every time a negative thought comes in your mind , make yourself think of something positive. Is your sister and her baby okay now? If so dwell on that instead of the negative... I know it's not easy ! Remember positive breeds positive and negative breeds negative! wishing you peace of mind and happiness!!!

[jjb1983]

Hello tinamoore2685,

I had this with my last child 9 year ago, I had a broken relationship before she was born and I had to decorate the whole house before she arrived I was so busy not noticing that I wasn't really taking care of myself. I was telling the midwife that I felt light headed all the time very faint and had a bad fear that something was going to happen to me when I gave birth. Before my daughter arrived I ended up in hospital nealy passung out and couldnt breath with the baby pushing up, i was exhausted not realising that I was doing to much they threatened to admit me for bed rest if I didn't take it slow, from that date I did, had another little episode but not as bad as the first. After she was born I still had the overwhelming feeling of fear, panic, just not myself. I got help from a tv show as my doctors just gave me antidepressants and sent me on my way i was on antidepressants for about 6 months or so before contacting the show they paid for CBT at the time which really did help it was really about taking time for myself trying to relax as much as I could. Breathing exercises are good and I also kept a diary of how I felt I used to write how I felt what I thought it was what I was doing. There are some sheets on the net that you can print off just type in anxiety diary. I hope you overcome this I did although I still suffer from anxiety from time to time but I cope with it a lot better than I did. You will get there.

jjb1983

[Tinamoore2685 in reply to jjb1983]

Thank you so much. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one this happened to. I feel alone and like no one understands. For my family/friends this came on so suddenly that they don’t seem to think it’s real. I literally just went on Amazon and got a diary for my thoughts. I also need to focus on self care more which of course is difficult with a new baby. Thank you for the advice!

[jjb1983 in reply to Tinamoore2685]

Your welcome, I know it can be hard with a little one I dug myself so low I was unable to look after my daughter from around 3 months old for about 10 weeks my mam took her as I started meds and they gave me very bad anxiety until they kicked in after around 9 weeks of taking them I was also prescribed diazepam while taking them. Listen to Claire weekes to I'm sure there is some videos on YouTube she is great at explaining it all. You will get there even though it might not seem like it.

jjb1983

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I know how you feel. Every pain I get I feel like something very bad will happen to me. I still haven't found a way to cope and remove those thoughts from my head.