Anxiety

[2332222t]

I’m rlly struggling tonight I can’t stop crying I’m 7 weeks postpartum and I am terrified all th time that my baby is going to die of SIDS I don’t know what to do I’m so paranoid

First thing tomorrow, call your health visitor. You need some support. You can do this x

Oh my goodness, I remember having awful awful anxiety.

Have you got someone to talk to about it, a problem shared is a problem halved?

This anxiety is generally acknowledged to be caused by the huge drop in hormones in the postpartum period, and some of us are more sensitive to it than others

Sleep and good food are REALLY important for you - have you got anyone helping you with food & taking baby while you nap?

Are you taking a good supplement with iron, b vitamins etc? That’s super important as you will be very very depleted postpartum.

This is a very tough time, so cut yourself plenty of slack. Don’t worry if the house looks shocking. Prioritise sleep and nutrition xxx

Are you alone darling ?

How are you feeling today @2332222t ?

Thank you so much xx

Much better thank you I’ve been to the doctors and they have upped my antidepressants x

Please contact your GP or health visitor today, postpartum depression can present with this sort of debilitating anxiety over the baby. I had this myself. Also it must be stressful getting to grips with caring for a newborn in this heatwave so it’s maybe not a surprise it’s triggered these sort of thoughts, especially as your brain will be struggling with the heat too.

Be kind to yourself, make sure you’re eating and drinking and sleeping and keeping yourself as cool as possible. SIDS is a very scary thought but please remember it is also rare, and as long as you are following the general guidance to reduce risk (lie baby on their back to sleep, don't co-sleep, no smoking in the home, don’t have loose covers over them and try to keep their room cool in the heatwave) then try to park that worry and when it surfaces imagine a big red STOP sign. Then remind yourself (get someone else to remind you or write it down if easier to read aloud) that no amount of extra worry will make them any safer than they already are and you’re already doing everything you can and these things are rare.

Please do speak to someone about how you’re feeling.

Thank you so much, I’ve spoken to my doctor today x