PPD PPA?

morrkim

Let me start by saying that I have always had some slight anxiety.  I am just wondering if this is normal parental anxiety or if I should see about talking to my doctor.  Ever since my LO was born I have been very worried about coming into her room and finding her dead from SIDS.  Today has been the worst.  While at work when I was pumping I suddenly got worried about it and started crying.  When I went back to work I was fine.  Then again when I laid her down for bed I started crying again thinking about it.  I didn't want to put her down.  I have never told anyone about my anxiety about it.

cardiganmom

I have a terrible fear of SIDS also. It takes me anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours to fall asleep because I sit there any worry and sometimes Google . I talked to her pedi about it and he reassured me that I'm doing everything possible to avoid it and if it were to happen, I wouldn't have been able to avoid it. But he said it hasn't happened at his practice in many many years, its so rare these days with all the precautions we take. I'm still worried about it and still check on her often but I'm able to sleep a little better after talking to him. I never cried that much so I'm no help there. Hopefully someone else can offer some insight.

nickschick!

Maybe look into the Snuza movement monitor for some piece of mind.

pinitbaby

First off, I'm so sorry you have those fears, they are not easy to deal with. I have had 4 children and have suffered from PPD after every baby, I'm suffering from it now and on medication.
Just from my experience, my first signs were horrible thoughts of things happening to my baby. We used to live on the lake and I used to picture my older daughter who was a baaby at the time, strapped in her carseat in the middle of the lake sinking and I couldn't get to her. Used to hold her and be so paranoid that I'd drop her and she'd land on her head and she'd die. There was always some thought that popped into my head no matter where we were or what we were doing it drove me crazy to the point I just showed up at my drs one day hysterical and he took me in right away. I was so scared he was going to commit me..this stuff can get serious and its better to be safe than sorry right? I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you, I've never told anyone besides my mum about this either. Don't be afraid to ask for help : I hope things get better for you! Xoxo

pinitbaby

NicksChick!:

Maybe look into the Snuza movement monitor for some piece of mind.

This. There are all types of monitoring devices. I met the people who came up with the idea for the Angel Monitor after they lost their baby to SIDS..they lived in my town. I don't have one but its like a mat/pad that's layed down under baby and keeps track of breathing movements, it will alarm if there is absence of breathing. I hate to say it bc of the circumstances but its a wonderful invention.

tmungro1

I'm sorry you've been going through this. Some anxiety is normal I'm sure but it sounds like this has been really difficult for you. It would be best to talk to your doctor just to let him/her know what's going on. When I mentioned my anxiety to my doctor he said he sees a lot of women coming to see him for PPD/A after 3 months postpartum, more so than right after their LO is born.

morrkim

CK2MD:

pinitbaby:

NicksChick!:

Maybe look into the Snuza movement monitor for some piece of mind.

This. There are all types of monitoring devices. I met the people who came up with the idea for the Angel Monitor after they lost their baby to SIDS..they lived in my town. I don't have one but its like a mat/pad that's layed down under baby and keeps track of breathing movements, it will alarm if there is absence of breathing. I hate to say it bc of the circumstances but its a wonderful invention.

Unfortunately, the American Association of Pediatrics does not recommend movement monitors since studies show that they do not actually prevent SIDS. I always figured they helped parental anxiety because you assume the monitor will go off if (and only if) the baby stops moving. However, my SIL had one, and my ILs said that it only increased her anxiety: is the monitor working? is the baby lying in the right place? did I turn it on? etc.

I thought about the monitor, but I had heard that it wasn't recommended.

 

morrkim

Thanks for all the advice.

[Deleted User]

CK2MD:

Unfortunately, the American Association of Pediatrics does not recommend movement monitors since studies show that they do not actually prevent SIDS. I always figured they helped parental anxiety because you assume the monitor will go off if (and only if) the baby stops moving. However, my SIL had one, and my ILs said that it only increased her anxiety: is the monitor working? is the baby lying in the right place? did I turn it on? etc.

I agree with this. OP, some anxiety is normal, but if you are questioning it, it's time to talk to your OB. It can't hurt to talk to someone to help ease your fears anxiety. I am dealing with PPA and it has helped just to reach out to my OB and know the resources our there. I hope that helps, good luck!

morrkim

pinitbaby:

First off, I'm so sorry you have those fears, they are not easy to deal with. I have had 4 children and have suffered from PPD after every baby, I'm suffering from it now and on medication. Just from my experience, my first signs were horrible thoughts of things happening to my baby. We used to live on the lake and I used to picture my older daughter who was a baaby at the time, strapped in her carseat in the middle of the lake sinking and I couldn't get to her. Used to hold her and be so paranoid that I'd drop her and she'd land on her head and she'd die. There was always some thought that popped into my head no matter where we were or what we were doing it drove me crazy to the point I just showed up at my drs one day hysterical and he took me in right away. I was so scared he was going to commit me..this stuff can get serious and its better to be safe than sorry right? I hope you don't mind me sharing this with you, I've never told anyone besides my mum about this either. Don't be afraid to ask for help : I hope things get better for you! Xoxo

This sounds almost exactly like me.  When I get these thoughts I also start thinking about how it would be to have to tell people what happend.I have never wanted to tell anybody about this.  Thanks for telling me this. 

LBoogeyBride

OP thanks for being so brave to post about this.  I was on a hormone high the first few weeks after LO was born and I felt great and was so happy with zero anxiety.  Now that LO is three months, I've been having a lot of anxiety about something bad happening to my little guy.  I could've written the same thing, but I've been too nervous to share and when I try to explain what I'm feeling to DH, he tells me I need a good night's sleep and I'll feel better. Out of nowhere, I have an irrational fear that something will happen (someone will steal LO, I'll forget him in the car on an errand on a hot day, he'll stop breathing in the night or choke on his spit up, or even that he'll get a terminal illness). While I can't give you any answers to your question, I can only say that I can relate to what you're going though. Thanks for bringing this up and you've motivated me to talk to my doc and LO's pedi!