Please help me

[mangobaby1]

Hi

I am suffering I'm trying to be strong for my baby but I don't know what to do I feel desperate my life has become very bad and I feel like it's always going to be miserable I am trying my best I need help but I'm scared I don't want to be depressed and anxious like before I couldn't do anything with myself and I had constant panic attacks I want to be able to raise my baby. I got a call the other day from a health officer asking me if I'm okay and I said I'm fine they said they will contact me after the baby is born too. My anxiety and depression is in my folder but haven't had panic attacks or depression recently so i didn't need to mention anything to my midwife. I'm scared to ask for help now are they going to try and take my baby away if I tell them That I think My anxiety and depression is coming back? Please help me

Please phone the Dr for an urgent appointment first thing tomorrow and please also contact the midwife.

They will not take your baby away, they will make sure you have the help and support needed. Please don’t be scared. I’m sorry you are going through this

If you need to talk urgently
www.samaritans.org/wales/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/talk-us-phone/
Some support lines also here
www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/how-you-might-be-feeling/antenatal-or-prenatal-depression-signs-symptoms-and-support

www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/postnatal-and-antenatal-depression/

@mangobaby1 THEY WILL NOT TAKE YOUR BABY AWAY FOR ASKING FOR HELP.

I have been where you have. I was very depressed throughout my pregnancy but I didn't want to tell anyone because I was "supposed" to be happy. I was terrified about how my life would change. I was so anxious about losing him during pregnancy that I refused to believe I would ever take my son home.

Once he was born things went from bad to worse. I was an absolute state. I constantly felt like every single thing I did was me letting him down and that my failings were going to kill him. I didn't think he might die, in my mind I knew he would. I had suicidal thoughts and posted on here more than once desperate for help.

Then I spoke to my health visitor. They arranged counselling and although that's been paused for now it was helping. For me personally I needed medication as well and I've been taking citalopram for a few months now. It's a massive help and I genuinely feel like a new person. I'm a much better mum and I'm able to actually enjoy my baby.

Anyway the point I'm trying to make with all that waffle is I was in such a dark place, i had involvement from my health visitor, my GP and a counsellor and there was never any judgement or any suggestion of me losing my son. They will help you. I promise it gets so much better but you need to ask for that help. It's so hard but it's so worth it.

@mangobaby1 - how are you doing? I hope you managed to speak to the GP. Like @amazedmummy I had severe postnatal depression and was desperate for help. I spoke out from the get go and received amazing support from my health visitor and the perinatal team. You do NOT need to go through this alone. I even ended up going to a weekly meeting with other mum's who were in similar positions. It changed my life. Please get the help you need and deserve. I promise you things will get better. X

@mangobaby1 you’re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for.
PND is a powerful illness. It’s utterly evil and can floor anyone. The fact you’re struggling just shows you’re so strong you can put up a fight with it. Well done you! Now please get some help.
It’s normal to feel like things are tough but despair and hopelessness are not normal. They’re the signs you’ve got this hideous illness.
I was terrified my baby would be taken but honestly getting help - well tbh it was actually forced upon me as I’d gone so nuts - was the best thing that could have happened. The medication saved my life and I attended a group of other mums in a similar situation and have now got some wonderful friends and an incredible support network.
Good luck OP. you can do this. X

Just checking in OP. How are you feeling? X

Hi everyone thank you so much for your responses❤️ It’s so comforting to know that I’m not alone. I have spoken to my midwife and I also contacted some online support organisations. Im definitely going to look into the mums support groups. I feel much better already🙂 I have some peace of mind and now I’m able to do more things during the day and even enjoy preparing for the baby now that I’m less overwhelmed and stressed and since I know there’s support out there & my baby will be safe💕 I hope all of you ladies are feeling good aswell🧡 prayers for everyone of you

Wonderful news. I hope you get the support you need. X

Hi @mangobaby1 ... can I ask what support groups you have joined?
I'm having a tough time at the moment with anxiety and can't seem to stop crying! Being in lockdown and not currently working definitely doesn't help the situation... I just want to feel excited I'm still early day and know my hormones are all over the place but support groups might help as sometimes I feel like I'm the only person that feels like this (even though I know I'm not)
Glad your feeling much better now this give me some hope x