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Postnatal health

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Postnatal depression or just being extra sensitive

2 replies

possumblossompower · 31/08/2025 21:57

I don't even know why I'm posting this. I think it's because I need to voice my thoughts and I don't have anyone to talk to. Everyone else in my life has their own problems going on.

I'm a first time mum to my son (3 months).
I don't want to brag, but I honestly thought I was doing a good job with my son. People compliment me whenever we go out and I believed I was doing good.

For the last few days, it has been difficult. It was my dad's death anniversary on the 29th. He died years ago, but this was the first year I celebrated with someone (my son). My son is currently teething, so he has been irritable and I'm trying my best to help him through it. I restarted my period the other day since being pregnant. It sounds stupid, but I forgot what it felt like having a period after not having it for so long. It has been extra bloody and uncomfortable and I hate it.

My friend kept making comments about how I didn't do this and that. I genuinely thought I did, but now I don't know. I didn't think I had a problem with my memory, but now I'm starting to doubt myself.

I feel paranoid that I'm not doing what I'm supposed to do and started recording and taking photos after I do things, so I know for sure that I have.

If I'm forgetting to do things then maybe there are other things I'm forgetting to do? This has led me to thinking about other things like maybe I'm not doing a good job with my son and people are lying to make me feel better. Maybe I'm failing as a mum? I had a brief thought of calling social services and telling them to take my son away from me because I am doing a shit job. Maybe my son would be better off without me.

I do have a history of depression and anxiety, so I usually know when my mental health is getting bad, but I don't know. It feels different.

I don't know if I'm experiencing postnatal depression, baby blues or if I'm being extra sensitive at the moment. For the first two weeks after I had my son, I was emotional, angry and anxious, but the feelings gradually faded away,so I didn't think too much about what I was feeling.

I have been crying on/off for the last 3 hours. I couldn't stop crying when I was feeding my son, which I felt guilty about (and still feel guilty about). He is currently asleep and I still can't stop crying. Usually when I am upset, I can cry for about 10 to 15 minutes and I'm fine

I thought about going to try and contact the GP tomorrow, but I'm worried. Before I was pregnant and I had my son, I wouldn't hesitate to speak with a doctor about what is going on with my mental health, but now, I feel like if I tell them how I am feeling they will judge me. I know deep down they wouldn't, but I still can't stop feeling like they will.

I'm sorry for ranting. I'm just so tired and want to talk to someone.

OP posts:
LittlePeachh · 31/08/2025 22:37

Hi OP!

I didn't want to read and run.
First of all, I'm sure you're doing a great job. Just wondering what your friend pointed out that triggered you to record everything?

it's understandable why you're hestitant about reaching out. I have been there myself, in fact it took me 1 year and 4 months before I did.

Your circumstances maybe completely different but recording things might set you off on wrong path. If you are forgetting things, it's absolutely normal... I'm sure you'll be exhausted with a teething baby and not particularly used to lack of sleep yet?

The feelings you have described resonate with me. Do you have a support system to reach out to?

BunnyRuddington · 05/09/2025 10:01

Given you have a history of anxiety and depression I think you need to tell your GP how you’re feeling, if you haven’t already.

Your HV should also be able to support you. Around here there is a group for Mums who are struggling a bit and the HVs often refer Mums there.

I would ring the Pandas Foundation for some support too Flowers

PANDAS Foundation UK

We are here, whatever the weather, to offer hope, empathy and support for every parent or network affected by perinatal mental illness.

https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/

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