New anxious mother to be ,looking for advice on support.

Angienewmum · ‎17-07-2020

Hello everyone,

New to forums really wanted to join beyond blue they helped me get my mother out of suicide.

Just a quick overview ;I'v lived with GAD and mild ADHD inattentive for most of my life but have managed a good chunk with various methods but have hit somewhat of a road block in my life and afraid for the next coming months ahead and am seeking some advice.

The rundown ;I'm 33 weeks pregnant expecting my firstborn, recently moved to Victoria from Brisbane a few months back before border closures.I've had bouts of antinatel depression and have been incredibly Ill for half my pregnancy including hospitalization. Luckily I've had a great support network whilst living in Brisbane and managed to get through these episodes.But now being an unfortunate new Victorian my support links and resources are now either inaccessible or very restricted causing me to become anxious about possible relapsing into antinatel depression.I have no friends down here in Victoria and my own family cannot support me for health reasons,my in-laws and some friends where planning to come down and help after I give birth but borders now shut Vic-Qld.Some facilities are also not operating or are restricted because of covid 19.I am also at the stage where I can't pyshically do alot.The midwives at my local hospital have been great and suggested I reach out for support if I feel like my mental health is wavering and I understand some support groups are restricted or simply very busy with the current events.

My questions ;What to do to keep yourself less anxious as a new mother to be with next to no support living down here in Victoria?Constructive things to keep oneself distracted during this time not including the internet and TV? (All I have right now is cooking and book reading and light walking )And Support networks accessible in the East Gippsland region for people such as myself? as I'm very unfamiliar with this region and so I have no friends down here the neighbours are quite nice but everyone is very weary about being out during covid 19.

Any tips and advice would be great no matter how small,thankyou for reading

Sophie_M · ‎17-07-2020

Hey Angienewmum, welcome to the Beyond Blue forums. We're glad to have you join us here. We can't imagine the stress you must be under living in a new area and not being able to join your family during your pregnancy. We are so sorry this is happening to you. Please know that you've come to a safe, non-judgemental space to talk about your thoughts and feelings, and our wonderful community is here to provide you with as much support, advice and conversation as you need.

If you feel up to it, we'd recommend reaching out to our Coronavirus Mental Wellbeing Support Service. The website will be regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. You can also call our dedicated support line, staffed by mental health professionals, which is available 24/7 on 1800 512 348.
We hope that you keep checking in to let us know how you're going, whenever you feel up to it.

jess334 · ‎19-07-2020

Hi Angienewmum,

I'm so sorry this time in your life is being overwhelmed by COVID stress. Unfortunately I'm not in QLD so can't offer any support groups in your area, but please do take up your midwives on their offer.

I had quite a bit of anti and post natal anxiety and depression with my pregnancy. I had to take the last six weeks off work due to health concerns and also struggled to keep myself distracted during that long wait.

Here are some things that helped fill the time and keep me distracted:

Mindful colouring in
Learning to crochet online (it is possible and you could make a cute baby blanket)
Pregnancy yoga (this was so helpful for me, I loved my pregnancy yoga group)
Writing a journal / diary about my experience
Pre-cooking freezable meals for after baby is born

I'm happy to chat to you here at any time.

Kind thoughts, Jess

White_Rose · ‎19-07-2020

Hello Angienewmum

Hello and welcome to the forum. This is a good place to come for support. Unfortunately we cannot always answer you immediately as you can probably appreciate but we are here for you.

First pregnancy, living in Melbourne and COVID19 is not a good mix at the moment. Everyone needs their family and friends at this time no matter if you are well or unwell. My family live in the UK and because we were new to Oz we knew very few people so I have an idea how it must be for you.

I was going to suggest making friends through your antenatal classes but of course these are probably not happening. So many things we take for granted and until they are gone we do not realise how we depend on them. I agree about internet and TV. When I was at my worst in my depression these options did not help. I also found I could not read which was a blow as I have always been a great reader.

I spent a lot of time during my four pregnancies making clothes for the baby. I enjoy knitting and sewing so made lots of clothes. It also helped with the cost. I have been given several mindfulness colouring in books but I'm not much of a fan of these. Perhaps you can do this or learn to paint pictures. I do enjoy this. I got quite a kick out of producing something I thought reasonable. If you feel you want a bit of guidance your local library should have books on this.

I think walking is a great idea as exercise is good. Just be careful. Jess' idea of writing a journal is great. I think it would be interesting to look back on how you felt and how you managed at this time. I also enjoy scrapbooking and can spend hours doing this. Having your own child can make you wonder about your family, the people who are your ancestors. Have you thought of researching your family history. I know this involves the internet but it is a targeted activity so you may enjoy it. I found it quite addictive.

I hope these suggestions help. Please post in as often as you wish.

Mary

Angienewmum · ‎20-07-2020

Thankyou for everyone's lovely suggestions ,yes I had planned on trying to make some new friends via antenatal classes but being on zoom the classes are brief and we couldn't really connect with each other .Having said that the midwives at the hospital and organisations like beyond blue have been great for me.As for Activites I was hoping a while back to do some hydro classes for physiotherapy but centres are currently closed or heavily restricted .I will definitely look into sewing/knitting and scrapbooking as an option hopefully it will turn out well as having ADHD I tend to leave projects unfinished if I lose interest,I also plan on making post-partum meals so I can take it easy for the first week.A journal would be interesting but wouldn't know how to go about it ,I still have morning sickness and the whole covid thing going on I feel I would write more negatively than positively.Im doing my best to tone down watching the media and such and after things have settled I would also to help people with GAD and ADHD .

White_Rose · ‎22-07-2020

Hello Angienewmum

Thanks for your reply. It is unfortunate that COVID19 has taken over so much of our lives. Where we could meet and make friendships are now severely restricted. I know both my daughters made friends from their respective antenatal classes.

It's a good idea to find hobbies that you can put down and pick up whenever the mood takes you. A journal is very personal and as it is only for you it means you can write whatever you wish. Start with an ordinary school exercise book, put the date at the top of the page and write. What have you done, where have you been, stories about the day, comments and conversations, even the weather finds its way into a journal.

It's not meant to be War and Peace, just your memories of the day. Why did you like/dislike that object/person. How did the day make you feel or how did other other people make you feel. What was the sunset like? Positive or negative doesn't matter, it's just for you. Try not to reread what you have written for a while as it tends to colour what you think about. Carry it from room to room and jot down anything that strikes you as important. Thoughts, actions, conversations are all yours to write down. Later on, when you do decide to read your own words I think you will be surprised at your own insight. Give it a try.

Mary