Motherhood is an exciting journey. It cannot be denied that it is indeed a blessing that most moms are looking forward to experiencing. However, inclusive to being a parent is the reality that it can be exhausting and soul-sucking. A mother may feel like you know much about how to be a mother. But at the same time, you are also questioning everything. Exhaustion and burnout can affect the new mom in many ways.
Postpartum Anxiety
The condition known as postpartum anxiety is a close relative of postpartum depression. The American Pregnancy Association states that 10% of the majority of new moms are affected by it due to personal or family history. The typical signs are racing thoughts, feelings of dismay or terror, and excessive worry. Some worry is pliable. It is a normal reaction to safeguarding one’s newborn, and it is often manifested by hyper-vigilance and over-protectiveness.
This is why, as the Mayo Clinic reported, almost 90% of new parents claim that they frequently feel overly anxious with fearful thoughts that their baby might suffocate, stop breathing, or slip when they are in the shower or that someone might snatch their baby in the mall. Most doctors agree that many parents experience ‘mental noise’ or chaos of the mind because of these fearful and racing anxious thoughts. When they eventually learn to ignore them, the thoughts stop coming back.
On the contrary, if your anxieties are unreasonable (for example, if you have an extreme fear that your newborn will be harmed if you don’t keep carrying him), and you can’t get them off of your head, you may be experiencing postpartum anxiety. This usually becomes an issue when it affects daily circumstances, if it disrupts one’s capacity to function, or if panic attacks suddenly arise and there are signs of the disorders.
Symptoms
Excessive Worrying Or Fear
Feeling constantly worried or fearful, often about the new baby’s health, safety, or well-being. This can also involve intrusive thoughts, such as imagining worst-case scenarios or a constant sense of worry about the baby and overall feeling overwhelmed, especially if a previous prenatal loss was experienced.
Physical Symptoms
Anxiety can also manifest in physical ways, such as having difficulty sleeping, experiencing headaches or body aches like having trouble sitting, feeling tense or on edge, or having postpartum or panic attacks and heart palpitations.
Irritability Or Restlessness
Feeling easily agitated or irritated, having difficulty concentrating or focusing while doing household chores, and feeling restless or unable to relax. It is also worth considering the changes in mood if it is still in a normal rate or it is leading to affective disorders.
Changes In Appetite
Anxiety can cause changes in appetite, such as a loss of appetite or overeating. The effect of eating disorders and past depression during perinatal depression and anxiety in a longitudinal general population cohort.
Avoidance Behaviors
Avoid situations that can trigger, such as leaving the house, social situations, or being alone with the baby.
Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms
Obsessive thoughts or obsessive compulsive behaviors, such as excessive cleaning or checking on the baby repeatedly. This compulsive disorder requires attention.
Postpartum anxiety symptoms and the postpartum depression period can vary widely and may differ from person to person.If you’re experiencing any of these obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms or other concerns, it’s essential to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health provider.
Causes
Hormonal changes: After giving birth, there are significant hormonal changes that occur in a woman’s body, including a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels. These changes can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Sleep deprivation: Sleep deprivation is common after giving birth, which can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and make it difficult to manage stress.
Family History: Women with a family history of depression and anxiety are more likely to experience symptoms of postpartum anxiety disorders.
Lack of support: Feeling isolated or unsupported by family members can increase the risk of developing postpartum anxiety. Women who don’t have a strong support system, either from a partner, family, or friends, may feel overwhelmed and anxious on top of having a new baby.
Life stressors: Other life stressors, such as financial strain, relationship issues, toxic family members, or difficulties adjusting to motherhood, can contribute to postpartum anxiety. Having an existing mental illness prior to having a new baby is also a contributing factor to the disorder.
There’s no single cause of postpartum anxiety, and it’s often the result of a combination of these risk factors. If you’re experiencing postpartum anxiety, it’s essential to seek help from a healthcare provider or mental health provider who can work with you to develop a treatment plan. There are different types of therapy that might work, like cognitive behavioral therapy or other forms of therapy, depending on the patient’s needs.
Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about postpartum anxiety.
How Long Do Worried Thoughts Last After Having A Baby?
Postpartum anxiety does not have the common signs with baby blues, which usually lasts for only two weeks. This type does not often disappear by itself. It is vital to ask for help from professionals if it is interfering with sleep or if you are persistently occupied with doubts and worries. In mild cases, moderate or severe anxiety that is left untreated, the postpartum anxiety period or baby blues does not go away and could persist indefinitely.
Is Having Worried Thoughts Normal After Having A Baby?
In truth, not all moms are aware that having worries or fear or experiencing panic attacks is not uncommon after delivering a baby. About 10% to 15% of new mothers are diagnosed with the disorder, and approximately 50% of those with postpartum depression will potentially suffer from postpartum anxiety. If your daily function is being affected by the amount of fear and worry that you are experiencing, it is safe to consult your healthcare provider to know the best course of action.
How Do You Deal With Stress After Having A Baby?
You can try following these simple tips to help you manage your stress after delivering your baby:
- Try seeing other people to relieve tension and stress.
- Spend time with family and friends and do something that you enjoy
- Spend quality time with your spouse
- Be more expressive – it helps release tension.
- Find ways to relax.
- Recognize that you need help and learn to accept help from others
What Helps You Get Over Worried And Fearful Thoughts?
Some basic steps that you can try to relieve your worries include:
- Eat healthy and well-balanced food.
- Avoid consuming too much caffeine and alcohol, which further increases your anxious feelings and provokes panic attacks.
- Take time to enjoy and relax.
- Get a sufficient amount of sleep.
- Practice mindfulness and deep breathing
- Do the best that you can to be better.
How Long Will Anxieties Last?
Anxiety typically peaks within ten minutes and seldom persists for more than 30 minutes. However, during this short period, you may go through feeling extremely afraid, as if you are out of control or you’re on the verge of dying.
What Are The After-Effects Of Anxiety?
Studies are continually being performed regarding the subject. Still, so far, they’ve revealed that some potential long-term after-effects of anxiety include heart diseases, various gastrointestinal problems like irritable bowel syndrome, and a decreased immune system.
How Long Until Your Hormones Are Normal After Pregnancy?
Six months after pregnancy and delivering the baby would be an appropriate estimate for when the hormones in your body will return to normal. This would be when a lot of women experience their primary postpartum phase, and that is not an accident. After six months, postpartum hormonal deviations, particularly in progesterone and estrogen, should return to their pre-pregnancy states.
Can Breastfeeding Hormones Cause Worried Thoughts?
When mothers are breastfeeding, the hormone dopamine is reduced in levels for prolactin levels to increase. Experts suggest that dopamine excessively falls for other women who breastfeed, and the deficit will result in various symptoms, including self-hate, anger, and anxiety.
How Long Does It Take To Feel Normal After Having A Baby?
Complete recovery from getting pregnant and having a baby could take months. Many new moms feel that they recovered in about six to eight weeks, although they reported that it took them longer than eight weeks to feel like themselves again. During this period, you might feel like your entire body has revolted against you. Try not to be very disappointed.
Can Babies Sense When Mom Is Sad?
Infants differ in their sensitivity, and according to several studies, babies, too, feel and respond to their parent’s emotional signals. In general, they pick up on emotions that their moms give off. Other studies state that when infants are merely a few months old, they can distinguish a cheerful expression from a sad one.
Do Relationships Change After Having A Baby?
Ties with family, friends, and significant others are often different after having a child. The changes that happen from only two in the family to three, or perhaps more, could be among the biggest changes you will face when you are a new parent.
How Can I Instantly Reduce Postpartum Anxiety?
Some effective ways that you can try to improve your anxiety symptoms right now include:
- Take deep breaths
- Evaluate your thoughts
- Recognize and accept that you are having an anxiety
- Practice relaxing visualizations
- Observe without judging
- Practice self-talk to boost your self-esteem and improve your mood
- Concentrate on doing something right now
How Do I Train My Brain To Stop Worrying?
Here are a few ways to train your brain to stop worrying:
- Be true to yourself
- Don’t try to solve things on your own
- Observe self-care
- Try to accept that sometimes things can be out of your control.
- Know your intentions and be conscious of them
- Practice health relaxation and mindfulness techniques
- Be positive
How Does Meditation Help Ease Postpartum Anxiety?
What Causes Postpartum Anxiety?
What Are Effective Non-Medical Treatments For Those Who Suffer From Excessive Worries After Delivering Their Baby?
What Is The Impact Of Anxiety On Women Who Just Gave Birth?
What Are Effective Mon-Medical Treatments For Those Who Suffer From Anxiety After Delivering Their Baby?
If you have tried taking anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant medications before like SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and found them effective, you might want to start retaking them. However, you need to speak with your healthcare provider or mental health professional about how a specific medication may impact your baby. Postpartum anxiety medication should only be taken when prescribed by your doctor.
Lastly, always keep in mind that whether your anxiety condition is moderate or severe, it is best to find help at the soonest time possible. Remember that caring for yourself is caring for your baby as well.
The Bottom Line
Postpartum anxiety is a common and treatable condition that can affect women after giving birth. It’s important to recognize the symptoms and seek help from a medical professional or mental health provider if you’re experiencing fears and worries after having a baby. With the right support and treatment, and if you accept the help for the postpartum anxiety and depression to be treated, allow new mothers to enjoy motherhood and care for their babies with confidence and peace of mind. Remember, seeking help is a sign of strength, and there are resources available to help you through this challenging time.