Hello and anyone else?

nhamilton1008 · June 2013

Hi ladies! Time to make my way over here from PAIF. My son Hudson was born on Wednesday and we are home adjusting to life together.
So far things are going well. We had a little trouble yesterday with breastfeeding but seem to have worked them out today.
My question to you ladies is has anyone else had some anxiety once returning home? The past couple days I've just felt sick to my stomach and had some loose bowels, sorry TMI. I am so in love with my little boy and DH has been a great help but I jut can't shake this feelin that I can't even explain! Hudson has been very good and sleeps almost the whole day. When he is awake he doesn't fuss very much.
I'm assuming this is normal just due to adjusting to life with a baby and being tired?

mnj05 · June 2013

Welcome and congrats! I have a Hudson as well!

I didn't have anxiety as much as I did a hard time coping with several different things. It took me talking my feelings out and finally letting go of those things to feel better which was right around 2 weeks. It is hard adjusting to new family and a demanding little one but it gets better!

TJ1979 · June 2013

I had more depression than anxiety, I cried constantly those first few weeks. Your hormones are really wacky right now. If it persists or becomes more than you can deal with, do not be ashamed to call your OB. You need to take good care of yourself so you can take good care of Hudson.
Congrats on your little boy and welcome!

CallMeAl · June 2013

I think feeling completely anxious and overwhelmed is pretty normal. I know I felt that way when I got home. Give yourself a few weeks to get the hormones leveled out and to adjust.

Is the anxiety about something in particular? Baby safety, housework, routines, recovery, etc? Be gentle with yourself....these are wonderful but brutal times!

pb_bride · June 2013

Welcome and congrats!

I think some anxiety at the beginning is totally normal! Your hormones are completely through the roof, and parenting is a very foreign thing! When we first came home I was like, "OMG, what do I do now with this 'thing'?"!! My mom only stayed for 4 days, and on the day she left, I cried so hard cuz I really had no clue how I could manage!

I was constantly worried about the baby - is he breathing, is he cold/hot, is he hungry, etc etc etc. I had dreams that I forgot to feed him. Also, we were switching him from the RnP and the crib, and I would wake up in the middle of the night and not see him in the crib (he was in the RnP), and would had a huge panic cuz I didn't know where we'd put him.

Hang in there, the first couple of weeks was so hard, but it gets easier every day!

imoverit · June 2013

Welcome and congrats. I had huge anxiety where I constantly worried about every little thing. Then it got worse where I worried about LO dying. I would constantly feel sick to my stomache. Some anxiety is normal in the beginning but if it worsens or does not get better then tell your doctor. I ended up having PPA and got help. Hang in there mama.

jensahokie · June 2013

Congratulations! I remember those days well : I'd say it is completely normal to experience those things. Like pp, I'd wake up in a panic that she wasn't there, not breathing, etc and there were definitely times when my hormones were crazy. After a few weeks, I did have a hard time being alone with DD1. I didn't feel like I could ever relax and was constantly tired. We moved overseas when she was 5 weeks old and at my postpartum check the next week, I randomly burst into tears! It was considered PPA and I made it harder by not talking to DH about my stress and anxiety. If you feel like you need a little more help, make sure to ask and congratulations again!

Dragonfly1226 · June 2013

Welcome and congratulations! I agree with PPs that some anxiety is normal. However, I still think it is worth mentioning to your OB at your PP appointment or sooner if it becomes a bigger issue. You are vulnerable right now. (((hugs)))

PennyLane26 · June 2013

I had anxiety right after birth. I wasn't nervous about caring for the baby, but I missed the safety net of the hospital badly and it caused some major anxiety for me. It was like a pit in my stomach. Ironically I had to be admitted to the hospital when DD was 5 days old and was there for a few days, so the second time we went home I felt a lot better. I understand exactly how you feel, even though its hard to put into words.

I don't think it's because of sleep, more hormones IMO. It gets better but even 2 months out I still have pangs of anxiety and part of me can't wait to go through the labor/delivery/recovery experience again because the hospital gave me such a sense of security- bizarre huh?

ELF4321 · June 2013

Welcome and congrats! The first month post partum is really hard as your hormones are going crazy at the same time you're completely sleep deprived. Keep reminding yourself that you can do it. Nobody has any clue what they are doing when they have their first child.

But if it continues and you are still feeling so anxious when you have your 6 week checkup, ask your OB for a referral to a therapist. I developed severe PPD and panic attacks. I waited way too long to get help.

itsmevkb · June 2013

Congrats on the birth of your little one. I think some, if not most, of what you're feeling is probably related to your hormones trying to get back to normal. It can sometimes be a rough adjustment. Right after birth you're on a little bit of a high and then it seems right when you go home you start to come down as your body tries to find a new normal. I can remember waking up with the shakes and then in cold sweats and just plain feeling "off" for a few weeks. Don't worry, it gets better.

JBDamonM · June 2013

I could have written this post myself! I went through the exact same thing! Plus I cried a lot and didn't have a full appetite....

for me things got much better around 2 weeks..... Postpartum hormones are no joke....be sure you talk openly with your DH about your feelings...it will get better though, I can promise you!

i also totally agree with Penny. I desperately missed the security blanket of the hospital when I first came home, which I was very take back by...

good luck and hugs!!!

Mr. & Mrs. Woodtick · June 2013

Welcome and congrats. I had huge anxiety where I constantly worried EVERY. LITTLE. THING. I was even afraid to sleep when he was sleeping in case something happened. I was even afraid to be left alone with him. I tried to have family visit consecutively for the first seven weeks so that someone was always there with me. For me things started to get better around 8 weeks. Being a new mom is hard work! Hang in there mama.

nhamilton1008 · June 2013

Thank you so much for the welcome and encouragement ladies!!!!! We had a great night last night where LO slept for a full 3.5 hours at one time. I feel like I got a full night sleep!!!! Not fully hungry this morning but enough that I'm putting something in my stomach!
I look forward to getting to know those that I didn't know over on PAIF and reconnecting with those I did!!
Have a great day everyone!!

Mrs.AmyDylan · June 2013

Welcome! Good luck with the breastfeeding. That was the hardest part for us. I did a lot of crying post-partum. I wasn't particularly sad or anxious, but holy freaking hormonal.

It gets better as you feel more confident as a mama. If it lingers or gets worse, please get evaluated for ppd. Hugs and congrats!

jmorta04 · June 2013

Welcome and great to see you over here! Happy to hear you got some more sleep. That does make a huge difference! I definitely did (and still do as L is only 5 weeks old) cry quite a bit at just random stuff. The hormones are so nuts. Ask for help when you need it. My mom has been here quite a bit and that has definitely helped with my sanity. Even if it means I can do something "normal" like wash the dishes or make dinner while she feeds or holds L, it means I can turn my brain "off" for a few minutes. GL!

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