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Antenatal/postnatal depression

Our Antenatal and Postnatal Depression forum is a supportive space where you can share your postnatal depression experiences.

To find 1st birthday triggering?

1 reply

eyestotheleft · 21/09/2022 21:00

It's my daughters first birthday soon. birth was horrific and straight after I was under general anaesthetic. She was whisked away immediately to NICU. I didn't meet her for another 20 hours. Long long hospital stay and followed by health visitor telling me I was too anxious, my baby was failing to thrive but continued to pressure me to breastfeed even though I literally was not producing more than a teaspoon full of milk. So inevitably, bad PND and PNA which are kind of ongoing.

Anyway. I'm finding the build up to her first birthday really triggering - reminding me of how awful it all was, how miserable and scared I was and how I lost so much time with her while I was unwell. Is this something other people have experienced? People I know IRL are just kind of bouncy and excited about the parties they have planned and the presents they are buying. I just want to cry quite a lot.

OP posts:
FrankReynolds · 21/09/2022 21:09

Anniversaries are triggering for anyone who has been through birth trauma because all those feelings are bound to come up. Everything you're feeling is absolutely normal and you've been through a lot. Don't forget that not only is it your child's birthday, but also the anniversary of a massive life changing trauma.

I'm a peer supporter with the Birth Trauma Association and we've got a support system for anyone who needs it. Please get in touch if you feel you need some support from people who know and understand what you've been through Flowers

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