Post partum anxiety - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Valerie_s · 05-07-2006, 10:28 AM

I just have a question, I know that some of us on the pregnncay board had some issues iwth anxiety, prior too pregnancy and during, I was just wondering how ya'll were doing with that, is it better, worse or the same?

Kiedy · 05-07-2006, 10:50 AM

Some issues resolved and other new ones came up. During preg I worried that I wouldn't be a good mom or love my baby. Now I love him to death and DH thinks I'm a great mom (I agree w/ him). So I no longer worry about that. Shortly after delivery, I was severly anxious about bad things happening to DS or me. This was especially bad at night, and often I couldn't sleep for hours from the excessive worring and crazy scenerios running in my head. I always felt better in the morning, and this finally went away once I started getting more sleep. But that part was really scarry.
I also worried that DH would not be a good dad, but after 6mo, he became a lot more involved and is now great.
I still worry but I think I always will to some extant.

Laur77 · 05-07-2006, 01:56 PM

I was so worried about what my anxiety and panic attacks would be like after DS arrived. However, I can't remember when I have felt better. Like Kiedy said, I don't think it ever goes away, it's always there day to day. But I think knowing that he needs me to be strong , which I had thought would make things worse, actually helps. He is definitely a distraction too, which keeps my mind occupied. I was actually thinking the other day that I have not had a severe panic attack since I was early pregnant. Even though in the last few years they haven't been as bad as when I was younger, I was still getting a few a year. So a year and a half since having a big one is wonderful.

sweeterthan · 05-07-2006, 03:27 PM

I had anxiety before, during, and after pregnancy but I also have been diagnosed with GAD and panic attacks probably a year before becoming pregnant. To be honest its not as bad now, probably because I am so busy with DD all day. Once in a while I do have anxiety but I also take meds and also for depression.

debating · 05-07-2006, 08:58 PM

Much to my surprise I feel pretty good. I haven't been on lexapro since before I got pregnant, and had pretty much resolved myself to needing it, but I haven't needed too!

In the beging, I'd say the first 3 weeks, I was a basket case. I had some horrible thoughts, and had a hard time adjusting, BUT, now that we're getting into the grove of things I couldn't be better. DD is the love of my life (well, one of them - hubby) and she makes a bad day seem better.

It's weird how the maternal instict kicks everything to the back burner. On days when I otherwise would have had a meltdown, I have managed to keep it together for her sake.