anyone have/had PPA?

emriley84

My good friend had a baby 3 weeks ago. She was just diagnosed with PPA. She is always anxious something will happen to the baby. She can't sleep, she won't leave the room the baby is in, she's so fearful something terrible will happen to the baby. She spoke to her OB today who is referring her to someone to help.

Is there anything I can do to help/support her during this time? I feel terrible that she is going through this. I have offered to help out by coming to watch the baby for a bit so she can shower/nap/ go to the store and she has declined, I think that would just add to her anxiety. I'm at a loss as to what, if anything I can do to help. I told her to call any time, day or night if she needed anything...

Ms5586

I haven't dealt with it, but it sounds like she could use some help in other ways.  Maybe bring by some freezer meals or offer to do laundry (if you're close enough to her, that is).

EVA116

I had really bad PPD/PPA and did not want anyone to come over and I did not want to leave the house. I didn't want my baby but I didn't want to take my eyes off her. It was horrible....horrible.

You know what helped my a little was structure. My mom came over every tuesday at the same time. She would also ask me to send her pictures of the baby. That helped because it made me calm down and even smile at how cute my baby was. I never ate...maybe a baby carrot a day (lost 65 lbs in 3 months)

Just try and listen and don't push at all. I am so glad she is getting help. Oh and the book by Brooke Shields really helped a lot.

EVA116

emriley84:

My good friend had a baby 3 weeks ago. She was just diagnosed with PPA. She is always anxious something will happen to the baby. She can't sleep, she won't leave the room the baby is in, she's so fearful something terrible will happen to the baby. She spoke to her OB today who is referring her to someone to help.

Is there anything I can do to help/support her during this time? I feel terrible that she is going through this. I have offered to help out by coming to watch the baby for a bit so she can shower/nap/ go to the store and she has declined, I think that would just add to her anxiety. I'm at a loss as to what, if anything I can do to help. I told her to call any time, day or night if she needed anything...

Also, that does help a lot.

emriley84

Thanks ladies. It just sucks to see her go through this! Maybe I will make a few freezer meals for her this weekend and drop them off. At  least there will be food in the house for her and her husband.

MamatoA2010

I hope your friend is doing better! I definately have the anxiety component of PPD. I'm not depressed but I'm very anxious. Meds don't help either. I'm on a combination of Zyprexa and Prozac and while they help with my mood, they don't do diddly squat for anxiety. I'm going to bring this up at my next therapy session.

Lotsofloveandkids

I've dealt with PPA/PPD with all my kids. It's a terrible thing to go through. Sometimes just having someone to talk to can really make a difference.

DrinknDerive

Anxiety is just awful.  You know you're being irrational, but you just cannot stop the fear.  It helps me when I know that I can talk to my friend without judgment.  I tell her my craziest fears and obsessions, acknowledge their absurdity, laugh about it, and get a break from the obsessive thoughts.  Try to be available and really open, communication-wise.

Structure does help, too.  It is very easy to get lost in your own head.  Your days run together.  You lose your routine, and you recede from the world.  Engage her regularly.  She will love you for it.