Postnatal anxiety

[sand27]

Hi everyone

I suffered with postnatal anxiety and still get anxious from time to time. DD is now 2 and due her 2 year check soon. We’ve already raised concerns regarding potential SN with the HV’s but just feel really anxious for the 2 year review and not really sure I can pin point why other than the fact DD is behind. I’ve already got her an appointment with SALT in feb and she is due to start nursery in January so I’m doing all I can.

anyone else feel like this when it comes to development checks?

I was anxious with DD yes but she was non-verbal until she was 3.

What issues have you raised with your HV @sand27?

I think all parents feel a level of anxiety around an assessment of their young child especially if you've raised some developmental concerns. Try to see it as a positive, they will either reassure you or start your child on the pathway to get more support and aid in development

My LO is almost 4 months old, and I feel like this every time we visit her doctor. Is her head circumference ok? Has she met all the milestones? ETC.

I too suffer from postnatal anxiety, so I know how it feels. My understanding is that babies develop differently. I also agree that nothing bad can come out of these appointments. I know it is easier said than done, but I am sure things will turn out to be ok.

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto hiya, my DD is also non verbal at the minute, I’m really hoping SALT can start the ball rolling and support

We raised issues from around 18 months regarding every aspect of her development really- mainly being ASD traits however as the time has gone on we’re also leaning towards sensory processing disorder. Some things she has improved loads on such as eye contact, hand gestures etc. To cut a long story short we’re talking eating, going out, communicating with others, repetitive play, obsessiveness of spinning, stimming etc. concentration (not that I expect it to be amazing, but an example would be at an ophthalmologist appointment they couldn’t do one single activity, even ones that were really right down her street because she was more interested in whatever it was about the floor and proceeded to then hit out etc when trying to get her to do otherwise) - which don’t get me wrong, I understand can be completely normal for a 2 year old, but this happens at near on every appointment we have no matter what its for. there’s a lot to list really

@Junebugbaby thank you so much. I try to look at it as a good thing that they are able to put support in early on if they feel she needs it, I guess there’s just always that anxiety at the back of my head niggling away.

@Flowermoon90 thank you, it’s reassuring to know im not alone! DD’s head circumference etc is fine but she’s always been on the smaller side as she was born small. I think as far as milestones gross motor etc she is meeting them, it’s more cognitive that she’s not as well as speech and language:(

@sand27 it's really good that she's improving in some areas.

Has the HV said what she'll be doing at the 2 year check? From experience, I know this can differ, depending on which HV you have.

I think I would ask her to do the 24 month Social and Emotional Ages & Stagess* as well as the regular 24 month Ages & Stages. It's pretty normal for them to score grey in a couple of areas, more than that and I'd be asking read that as insisting in a referral to a Paediatrician for assessment.

How does she score on the MChatt*?

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto thanks for your reply!

the HV hasn’t really said much, so I’m assuming she’s just doing it as the usual Asq’s. In my area I’m pretty sure they send the questionnaires out for us to fill out before they come out

I will definitely get onto them about doing the social and emotional questionnaire too. I’m also hoping I can get somewhere as far as a referral peadriatician following the 2 year check!

she scores a 9 on MChatt

I think I'd print both off and fill them in and take them with you to the appointment. That way you've got some time to go through and consider each question properly.

If she's scoring 9 on the MChat I think I would also call the HV and ask for the appointment to be brought forward. Those waiting lists for assessment can be long and the sooner your HV refers your DD, the sooner she'll be seen.

Have you had a look at the SN Children Section yet? There are some very experienced MNers in there who can talk you through things like the assessment process, applying for DLA and applying for an ECHP

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto thank you so much. I’ll definitely give the HV a ring and see if I can bring it forward

I’ll also head over and look at the SN chat, thanks again! ❤️