Since Drew's birth I've been a lovely ball of hormones. Isn't every new mom? However, I thought everything was pretty much normal per say, until a few weeks ago when I started not being able to sleep. First, Drew is not the best sleeper at night. He naps like a champ, but night time we get about 4 hour stints and that's on a good night. Anyway, B is amazing and gets up with Drew for his first feeding so I can sleep until around 2 or 3, then it's my turn. However, Drew will go back to sleep and I can't literally I will be up for hours on end. Last night I was up from 2:30am-5am. Drew was content and happy sleeping away, and me, tossing and turning in bed.
Here's the kicker. I can't sleep because I'm worrying that he's going to wake up. Currently he's napping and I'm worried he's going to wake up. This is not normal. Before Drew was born I was pretty laid back, go with the flow kind of person. Now I don't recognize this worry wart as I call myself. The thing is, he's a great napper, will probably nap for at least an hour or two. I have no idea where this anxiety is coming from, but I think it's about time I go and speak with my physician about it. If not anything else, to make sure, this is aka normal and I'm not going insane in the membrane!
This anxiety has seemed to really start to rear it's ugly head these past couple of weeks and I have no idea why. Drew is now on a pretty good schedule, I enjoy staying home with him, and all in all life if pretty good at this point. What the heck do I have to stressed or anxious about...Like I said, I don't recognize this person that can't sleep at night. I used to be that person that could fall asleep at the drop of a hat. Now, not so much. What's my deal?
I am putting this out there because I would love to hear from other mom's about their experience with anxiety. I did a little research of my own and I have no exhibited any symptoms of postpartum depression, but there is something called postpartum anxiety disorder that I may very well fit the bill for. I'm not a medical expert by any means but after researching a bit, it seems this is what could be causing my anxiety.
We shall see.
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4 comments:
me and a few of my friends (who all had either colicky or refluxy babies) call it sleep anxiety! i have it time to time but it sucks.
some of them had it way worse then me and tried melatonin, and sleep meds.
if you get a chance, the book, the sleep lady's good night, sleep tight book has a great section on this. i bought it bc of our extreme sleep issues and reflux (there is a section on reflux)
good luck!!
About 4 months after Brayden was born, I started having what you are describing. Incredible anxiety about Brayden, not sleeping well, worrying if our house was on fire when I wasn't there, etc. I went to see my dr. and she said that it didn't sound quite like PPD, but could be situational anxiety. She put me on Zoloft (since it is safe for nursing) and I have had GREAT luck with it. I am more relaxed, more myself, sleeping better, and it probably won't be a forever thing. Call your physician and talk to him/her. It can't hurt!
I've started having the exact same problem. I never had problems sleeping pre pregnancy or even after Isaac was born, but now that we are having sleep issues, I lay there at night unable to sleep because I'm worried he'll wake up. It sucks! One thing I've found that helps is the second I feel tired, I lay down. I don't stay up to do laundry or read blogs - I go to bed. It's made a difference!
Hi! I just started reading your blog and love it! I wanted to comment because your anxiety issues sound a lot like what I went through when my daughter was a couple of months old. I went to the dr. and it was my thyroid. I had postpartum thyroiditis. It might not hurt to have your thryoid tested. It is just a simple blood test. I hope you start feeling better soon :)
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