New mum looking for advice!

[Butterfingers12]

Hi all,

I've recently become a mum to a beautiful healthy baby. I have always had anxiety but since having a baby, my anxiety has become alot worse, resulting in panic attacks and isolation. I am constantly in fear and feel like home is the only safe place for my child. I'm afraid of sickness, injury, car accidents etc. happening if I leave the house. I don't want this to affect my child because I want her to experience life to the fullest but I cannot get out of my own head with these thoughts. I am waiting to see a psychologist but in the mean time, I really need some tips to shake these feelings and some support as I don't have many people I feel I can talk to about this.

Thanks for reading!

[quirkywords]

Biutterfingers,

Welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on your lovely healthy baby.

Having a baby brings up so many emotions and feelings and post natal anxiety is quite common but not talked about as much as post natal depression. You are not alone.

Reserach shows that worry is adaptive as anxiety is a natural response to protect one's baby, and often that's expressed with hyper-alertness and hyper vigilance.

When this natural response starts affecting your everyday life the. It becomes a problem.

You are aware of what is happening and have sought help. That is a good start.

Techniques to help you relax, such as meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and mindfulness training can help. There are apps available . Also articles an threads on these topics are on this website.

Exercise can also relieve anxiety by helping you feel more energetic.

I am wondering if you are part of a new mums group as talking to other mums is very helpful and can give you reassurance and makes you feel less alone.

These are just suggestions so not sure if any will suit you. I think it is great you are aware of your thoughts and are prepared to challenge them.

Thanks again for sharing your story which will help others.

Quirky

[Butterfingers12]

Hi Quirky,

Thanks so much for your response, I'm feeling the pressure ease a tad already just getting it off my chest.

I have just downloaded a couple of meditation/mindfulness apps and will aim to use these daily to keep me level headed.

I'm not a part of a mother's group but since reading your suggestion, I did a bit of research and I've found a local mums meditation group that I am going to attend and hopefully meet some like minded mums.

Thanks again and have a great evening!

[quirkywords]

Butterfingers,

Thanks for your reply. I hope that mother’s meditation group is helpful and you find people to talk to.

Sometimes telling someone else or writing something down does make it a bit easier.

Feel free to keep posting here if you want to.

Quirky

[AndoLUFC]

Hi Butterfingers,

My wife went through the same issues when she had our little boy. I'm not sure where you are located however there is a fantastic organisation for mothers called Gidget House. They are specialists in post natal mental health. If you go to your GP a receive a mental health plan you can get 10 free sessions and they ever come to your home so no need to actually get to a facility.

Best of luck - being a new parent is tough and I hope you have a support network to lean on.

[Butterfingers12]

Thank-you both for your responses, it means alot.

Unfortunately the meditation group was cancelled and I still haven't received an appointment for the psychologist. I'm too far away from Gidget house buy thank-you for the suggestion, it's great that they offer these services to new mums.

Things were going great when my mother came to visit me for a weekend recently, but since she left I am feeling a little lost. I don't have a large support network, although I do have people who check in with me which I'm very grateful for. I am feeling quite low currently which also makes me feel guilty giving the many blessings in my life.

I am trying to keep a positive outlook but I am so overwhelmed with my thoughts and struggling to get to sleep which is not ideal when you're already sleep deprived with a baby.