Post natal health anxiety

[11newmom2022]

Hi everyone.

I'm currently eight weeks post natal and have the most gorgeous baby boy. Since his birth I've been experiencing the worst health anxiety. He is my first baby and I'm terrified about something happening to me and not being there for him as he grows up. At the moment my fear is currently cancer. I'm exclusively breastfeeding and have been feeling really dizzy and a little off balance. I also feel like my eyes are really strained and have slight trouble focusing however I went to the opticians and all was fine. Im terrified this could be a brain tumour. Im wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same thing and has any advice on how to improve it. All I want is to be able to enjoy this time with my new baby and I feel like I have this dark cloud hanging over me. I feel like I can't look forward to the future as I feel like sometime bad will happen to me and I won't be there to enjoy anything! Any advice appreciated xxx

Hi x

I suffered extreeeeemely bad anxiety after the birth of my DD
it was one of the scariest times of my life (and the best/happiest of course)
I think having responsibility for a newborn/hormones/ lack of sleep/the pandemic/the news can all contribute to anxiety x
intrusive thoughts are common after a baby but they can also be a sign of PND x
I was prescribed some anti-anxiety tablets from docs but believe it or not they gave me more anxiety x
I have found getting up and out every day no matter the weather/having plans for the next day/ being organised / getting out in fresh air for walks helped me massively x
also being aware of triggers IE I know when I am due on I am anxious that way I expect it and know its just because of hormones and it will pass x
there are also videos on youtube you can listen to as you fall asleep (hypnosis for anxiety etc) x
hope this helps in anyway xx

@11newmom2022 sorry to hear this
I have the dizzy and off balance and eyes strained feeling you have. I have low folate and thyroid issues since having my baby so I've put that down to that. But also I feel rather anxious
It's horrible isn't it.
I find like @animallover12345 has said to get out and about and having plans helps me
But I've only just started doing that 15 wks op
I've had a rough recovery
I really don't want to go down the medication route so I'm trying other methods
Happy to talk as it sounds alike our symptoms are similar
I find this quite lonely coz all I see is other mums coping well and not having these thoughts so it makes me sad I'm missing out on little one and should be enjoying this time more
X

@chocsaucestrawb how are you now? Have similar experience to you at the moment :(

I've since changed username but I can honestly say I feel sooo much better - sadly it took around a year for me to feel back to myself
Though time and going on AD really helped me
My baby is 2 yrsthis week and I am so back to my self
Happy to answer any questions or help where I can x