Jumping out of bed every night

[derbygirl23]

My DD is 9.5 months old and she is doing great. Up until 6 months, I found the adjustment to parenting very difficult and health visitor believed I had some PTSD from a difficult pregnancy and postpartum period. I feel like I am doing much better now, the cloud has lifted and I have started to enjoy being a mum.

I do have quite high levels of anxiety about DD but I don’t feel like it is effecting me too much day to day. The only issue is recently I have started to startle every night while asleep, and jump up looking for DD even though she is asleep in her cot in a different room. Sometimes I think she is falling off the bed. This is happening up to twice a night, most nights. My husband is sympathetic but I feel bad grabbing him and waking him up all the time!

Has anyone else experienced this?! Am I going mad?! Do I have some postpartum issues?

Thanks, any advise would be appreciated x

Just wanted to say that this definitely happened to me, but more early doors. I'd jump awake, baby was about 2 months old, convinced I'd fell asleep with them in my arms. They were always in their crib, but I'd be shouting at my husband about it. I didn't feel bad though!!
Like you I found the adjustment very hard, an only started to really enjoy parenting about 2/3 weeks ago really. Baby is now 9months old.
However, I did have post-natal anxiety, and was put on anti-anxiety medication about 4months pp, which is when I stopped the 'startling awake'. Unlike you, I very much didn't feel in a good head space, and wasn't coping, especially with lack of sleep which crippled me.
I would guess, being no expert obviously!, that you have some residual anxiety that manifests in your sleep. I don't know if there are relaxation techniques, or if you are able to talk through your fears with somebody who can really let you talk. Its not weird to be scared of something happening when you are off-guard, ie: asleep, but talking through those fears might help??