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Anxiety after newborn got sick.

Macka90
Community Member

Hi my anxiety has strted to play up big time.

I gave birth 8 days ago to a healthy baby boy and when he was 5 days old we were back in hospital due to him getting a viral infection, but the hospital treated him for meningitis as is theor policy for babies under 3 months of age that present with a fever.

Anyway we were in hospital for a few days, they also let us stay an extra night coz of my anxiety, and have just come home and my anxiety has gone through the roof, im scared he is going to get sick again, or that something bad is going to happen. I cant eat, i can barely sleep as im scared he will stop breathing.

Can someone please help and tell me it is normal to feel like this or that everything will be ok or it will get better.

Also i do suffer from depression but am not back on my meds yet as need to see doctor before restarting.

I have also had 2 deaths recently in my family (grandmother & young cousin 34)

5 Replies 5

Guest_7403
Community Member

It's normal to be anxious, it's not a bad thing.

I've had two prems that were in hospital for weeks and a newborn that wouldn't put on weight that was in and out of hospital.

Babies get sick, they vomit and make funny noises it's completely normal.

Your doing great, believe in yourself

Star_Jasmine
Valued Contributor
Valued Contributor

Hi Macka90

Congratulations on the birth of your son!

I think it's normal to worry, but probably not to the point where you can't eat or sleep due to the anxiety. Perhaps if that continues over the next week or two you should just book in with the GP to talk about it.

I've got two kids so I've done my fair share of worrying too, but I remember something a nurse in the hospital said just after my 2nd was born - you can't take care of a baby unless you take care of yourself - or something along those lines! It kind of stuck with me and I tried to make sure I was getting rest during the day, eating well etc, especially in the first month or two. And when I started to notice symptoms of PND I went to the doctor as soon as I could.

You seem to have a lot of on your plate at the moment with the birth of your baby and the deaths in the family. Be kind to yourself and don't be scared to get help if you think what you're feeling is not quite right.

Best wishes to you and happy to chat more if you'd like to.

Star Jasmine 💮

kned
Community Member

Hi 🙂

Congratulations on your new baby!

Definitely speak to your Dr. It is better that they are aware so can offer the support you need.

You probably need some time to get over the initial birth and experience at hospital. My first daughter was admitted to ICU at 13 days old with an awful virus, and like your baby treated for meningitis just in case. She is now 5 and absolutely healthy and beautiful. However yes, I felt anxious after she came home and still feel anxious whenever she gets really sick/a high fever. I have anxiety normally so have used techniques I've learnt to get through, and spoken to someone about the ordeal as well.

Like someone suggested above, look after yourself and accept all the help you need at the moment. You are going through a lot and its only understandable that you will need some time to get through x

Nurse_Jenn
Community Member

Hi Macka90,

Its great that you have reached out on the beyondblue forums. This can be a really difficult first step for some people. It’s true that having a new baby can lead to some worry but excessive worry as you have described can really interfere with your ability to be the kind of parent you want to be. Compounded with sleep deprivation people can get postpardum anxiety or depression where they can have a difficult time caring for their new bubs.

The good news is that there is help out there. Going to your GP or child health centre and describing your symptoms is a great step to take sooner rather than later. Due to the stress of being a new parent and now having gone through a hospitalisation with your new baby, grieving th loss of family members and having a past history of depression really indicates to me that getting support would be a really great idea.

Using the forum or the beyondblue support line on 1300 22 4636 can be a way to get some immediate relief from your worry and help you feel less alone but making an appointment to see your GP for your mental health will get you started on the treatment of your anxiety and depression symptoms. There are some cousellors and psychologists who specialise in delivering care for people who have just had a baby but sometimes getting into see a health professional can take time depending on where you live. Have resources available while you are waiting to see someone is important. Some other useful resources besides beyondblue could have include an organisation called COPE (Centre of Perinatal Excellence) which has some great information for new parents experiencing these symptoms. Another great site is called PANDA (Perinatal Depression and Anxiety) who also have a National support line.

Becoming a parent is exciting and stressful but when you can’t sleep or let your baby sleep without watching them, this is interfering with your ability to function at your best level and requires some help.

I do hope you make an appointment to see someone like a GP or child care nurse but please stay in touch until you do.

Wishing you the best possible outcome,

Nurse Jenn

Hi Nurse Jen.

I have started back on my anti depressants and will be going to see GP soon to see if they will help with my anxiety.

I am just so scared my bubs is going to get a high temp again or something worse as they still not sure what was wrong with him, all tests came back clear so they put it down to a virus they just not sure which one, which is scary in its self.

I have never suffered anxiety this bad that it has been interfering with my bowel movements (TMI) i know.

i am hoping my meds start working soon and hopefully my Bub stays well.

I will definitely keep in touch on here as it does help to talk about it.