I had a very long and traumatic birth experience followed by a week's stay in hospital with health concerns about my baby. I found it all very distressing and couldn't sleep properly in the hospital because of the birth, the health worries and the noisy/busy environment generally. Also a nurse said to me, just after the labour, that if I didn't sleep I wouldn't be able to look after my baby. That has triggered off fears in me and given me insomnia. We've now been home for six weeks, and I probably get a couple of hours sleep a night. In that time I have desperately sought help from various places and have been given all different advice which is confusing. Have been given sertraline by GP, don't know if it's helping or not (over four weeks taking it now). Tried temazepan a few nights, worked a bit but don't want to get dependant, and baby wakes me up in next room even if BF does the night feed. Don't feel depressed so much as very anxious that I won't be able to look after my baby properly due to lack of sleep and feel like I'm barely coping. I find it hard to interact with her as I'm so tired. BF getting impatient and wants me to get back to 'normal'. Also haven't recovered from the birth yet really as didn't get any rest afterwards. Was getting help from family but they are now withdrawing - life should be moving on by now. Thought I'd go mad through lack of sleep but haven't yet, just confused and anxious. Any similar experiences?
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