Women’s health issues continue to gain more attention in the media and society.
While postpartum depression has gained well-needed attention and focus, postpartum anxiety is not always on people’s radar.
During pregnancy and after delivery, midwives and obstetricians may inquire about their patients’ moods, in particular, whether they are experiencing depression, but many do not ask about anxiety.
It is expected that pregnant women will feel “normal” levels of worry and nervousness about the major life changes involved in becoming mothers and caring for a newborn.
However, the debilitating symptoms involved in significant postpartum anxiety need to be recognized and addressed as part of women’s health and wellness.
It is well established in the research that women who have a history of depression prior to childbirth are at greater risk for repeated depressive episodes following pregnancy and delivery.
The same goes for anxiety.
Women who have experienced clinically significant anxiety disorders prior to childbirth are vulnerable to postpartum anxiety.
If we think about all the physical changes involved in pregnancy including major hormone changes, the impact and recovery involved in vaginal deliveries or major abdominal surgery in a caesarean birth, chronic sleep deprivation, and add on the complex issues surrounding life transitions, new roles, whether to work or not work, financial stress, child care, and relationship changes with intimate partners, family members, and friends we can understand the many layers of challenges women have to cope with.
While low levels of anxiety can be helpful by keeping us alert and motivated, high levels of anxiety can be extremely uncomfortable and debilitating. You may be wondering what postpartum anxiety may look like.
Some signs and symptoms of postpartum anxiety include:
1) Excessive worrying about the baby’s and the mother’s health
2) Difficulty and refusal to trust other caregivers to help with the baby
3)Fears about contamination and compulsive washing or refusing to wash the baby and her belongings
4) Excessive hoarding and freezing breast milk, beyond what is recommended, and not using frozen milk
5) Checking on the baby more than what is recommended. Feeling as though you cannot resist compulsions to check
6) Physiological symptoms of anxiety including panic, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, headaches, stomachaches
7) Inability to function in self-care, work, family, and social relationships
8) Difficulty eating, sleeping, and indecisiveness
Some tips to help with postpartum anxiety include:
1) Talk to a psychologist who specializes in women’s issues and anxiety
2) Get support from other new mothers
3) Get support from lactation specialists and breastfeeding support groups
4) Ask family and friends for help
5) Get sleep and nutrition
6) Don’t isolate or use substances to cope
7) Talk to your OB, midwife, and doula for support and resources in your area
8) Talk to your pediatrician for guidance on how often to check on the baby and what reasonable expectations are for frequency of cleaning, feeding, sleeping, outings. Resist urges to compulsively call pediatrician and research online.
9) Sign up of online support groups and increase your knowledge of skills for taking care of a newborn and your body postpartum
10) Know that you are not alone and the intensity and discomfort of this anxiety will subside and become more manageable
11) Inquire with your OB or a psychiatrist as to medications for anxiety and indications for use, if you are breastfeeding.
It is important to increase your understanding regarding postpartum anxiety symptoms. Often lack of information and misinformation as well as significant physical and emotional stress, can make anxiety worse.
If you think you are experiencing postpartum anxiety, depression, and are having thoughts or harming yourself and/or your baby immediately call 911 and go to your nearest emergency room.
There is help available and you don’t need to be ashamed to reach out.
Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you gain a better understanding of these issues and help you learn to understand the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. You can learn how to implement more effective patterns to decrease your anxiety symptoms. Call for help at 303-747-4014.
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