Many mothers are not aware of postpartum anxiety. Some may be knowledgable about postpartum depression, but postpartum anxiety may be a newer topic for them. Every mother should know the basics about postpartum anxiety. This includes when can it start, symptoms, diagnosis, and possible treatments. One very possible reason for feeling overly worried as a mother is due to postpartum anxiety. In this article, we will discuss all of these things so you can be knowledgable about postpartum anxiety and seek the necessary help if need be. Let’s get to it!
What Is Postpartum Anxiety
Anxiety is the body’s response to danger. Postpartum anxiety (PA) is when a mother feels overly worried after giving birth. She may feel like her baby and/or herself are in danger when there is nothing posing a threat to their safety.
It is normal for some worry to be present in motherhood. However, with PA, the worry can consume your thoughts and keep you from living your normal routine.
Medical professionals believe that PA can be caused by hormonal changes during postpartum. Lack of sleep, experiencing stress in motherhood, or hitting new milestones may all trigger PA. For example, if a mother is facing difficult breastfeeding challenges that she is having a hard time finding answers to, this can lead to PA. To learn how you can overcome common breastfeeding challenges and help relieve this stress in your motherhood, check out the Breastfeeding Accelerator Course!
Symptoms
Some symptoms of postpartum anxiety can overlap with symptoms of postpartum depression. This sometimes makes uncovering PA difficult. Additionally, it should be noted that mothers with postpartum depression may experience symptoms of postpartum anxiety. While mothers with postpartum anxiety usually do not experience symptoms of postpartum depression.
Symptoms of PA include:
- Excessive worry of baby
- Feeling tense/muscle tension
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fast heart rate or experiencing heart palpitations
- Feeling restless/can’t sit still
- Experiencing forgetfulness
- Trouble holding a train of thought
- Obsessing over potential dangers that are unlikely to happen
- Lack of appetite
- Avoiding certain people or places that you believe are dangerous
Risk Factors
Risk factors are things that make you more likely to develop a certain illness or poor health. There are some risk factors that put mothers at an increased risk for experiencing or developing postpartum anxiety. Let’s take a look at these below.
Risk Factors For PA:
- Lack of a strong support system around you
- Personal/family history of anxiety or depression
- Mother has multiple children
- Previously loosing a child or experiencing a miscarriage
- By nature more fearful
- Having a past of experiencing eating disorders
How Is It Diagnosed
Often medical professionals use a questionnaire to assess the mother for postpartum anxiety. Based on the results, the medical professional may suggest a referral to a therapist or suggest medication.
Possible Treatments
There are several different types of treatments for mothers experiencing postpartum anxiety. This includes therapy, medicine, and natural treatments like exercising, getting outside more, and making sure your body is receiving the right amounts of vitamins and minerals every day.
Therapy
A certain type of therapy called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is used for someone to unlearn poor responses to anxiety or stress. Mothers experiencing PA may benefit from receiving CBT. Additionally, some mothers may benefit greatly from this therapy and not need medicinal care.
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Natural Treatments
When I say “natural treatments” I’m talking about the basics of caring for yourself and your body. This includes eating healthy, staying hydrated while avoiding caffeine and alcohol, getting outside, appropriate exercise, getting good sleep, etc.
Some mothers experiencing PA may benefit greatly by simply assessing their lives and noting the areas that may need improvement. I would highly recommend discussing your desire to improve your daily routine with your doctor just so they can be aware and help monitor your health along the way. They will be able to assist you if you were to need additional help or recommendations.
Vitamin Supplements
Hear my out on this one. I’m NOT saying that simply taking a Women’s 1 a Day is going to cure all PA symptoms! That probably won’t happen. However, there is something to be said about how the mood and mental functions are impacted when vitamin and mineral levels are depleted within the body!
For example, in the article The Relationship Between Vitamin D and Postpartum Depression in Reproductive-Aged Iranian Women published in The Journal of Medicine and Life, vitamin D levels were studied among postpartum women in Iran.
What they found was that among the mothers experiencing postpartum depression, their vitamin D levels were below average compared to their counterparts.
More research is needed on the topic of vitamin deficiency and PPD/PPA, but it is something to keep in mind and discuss with your doctor.
When Can Postpartum Anxiety Start
Really, postpartum anxiety can begin at any time. Symptoms can start while still pregnant. Alternatively, symptoms may begin days or weeks after the baby is born; or symptoms can start months into the postpartum period!
Postpartum anxiety affects 11-21% of mothers. Due to some mothers not seeking help for their symptoms due to fear of being judged or feeling like a bad mother, these statistics may be higher! The point is that PA is commonly experienced among mothers. If you are feeling anxious, overly irritable, have a hard time relaxing, experience heart palpitations, etc. be sure to contact your doctor. The sooner you receive treatment, the sooner your body can heal.
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Want To Learn More?
If you enjoyed this article, you will also enjoy the articles listed below on postpartum health and breastfeeding!
The Breastfeeding Accelerator Course
Breastfeeding Enchanted – It’s Not As Easy As You Think
The Affects Of Folate Deficiency And Postpartum Depression
What Is Postpartum Depression?
Vitamin D Deficiency & Postpartum Depression