First post-pregnancy anxiety attack...

sgautschi · October 2013

On saturday we drove up to DH's family's house for dinner. His parents, grandparents and aunt/uncle live on the same property. We decided to go there instead of inviting them down, so we could leave anytime we wanted, and his grandparents and aunt/uncle and two cousins hadn't met her yet.

Well introducing Adalyn to her great-grandparents went well. It was so sweet to see her meet them and watch them interact. DHs grandpa has really declined in health due to his diabetes so I was happy he got to meet her.

DH and I decided to stay and watch the Oregon game while we waited for his aunt to get off of work and bring his cousins up (they are 14 and 16 years old). Well they didn't end up getting there until almost 10pm, and by this time I was already beyond exhausted and already feeling emotional because of it. So when his aunt walked in (washed her hands) then came over and grabbed Adalyn out of my arms, I started to lose it. The way she did it wasn't rude, it just was too late at night and I wasn't expecting her to grab her out of my arms. Most people wait for me to hand her to them.

I walked quietly to the bathroom thinking I just needed to take a breath and regroup, because I knew I was overreacting, but then when I went to walk back out I started a full-on panic attack. Crying, hyperventilating, the whole deal. I hated feeling that way because I knew they weren't trying to upset me, it's just that they grabbed her from me in a way I wasn't really expecting. Anyways, just needed to vent/get this off my chest. Any of you mommies experience something like this?

Note to self and future mommies: Do not introduce your babies to anyone when you are exhausted.

wiggyslilsis · October 2013

I'm sorry

10pm may not sound late but with a newborn it really is especially after a long day!

Panic attacks are scary. I had/have a lot of anxiety when it comes to things with Ava Nichol. I never had anybody just take her from me but I am glad for that because I probably would have freaked.

I'm sorry! *hugs*

ream02 · October 2013

When DS was 8 days old we took him to my grandma's and all the aunts a couple uncles & most of the cousins were over. We have a big family on that side. I got emotional by about 7:30pm and was ready to leave. Everyone wanting to hold/touch him. Especially the younger girls that were between 11-13 at the time. I wasn't so uptight with DD except for making people wash their hands. I think my PPD was a little more intense and the sleep deprivation was high at this time with DS though.

sgautschi · October 2013

I just had to keep reminding myself that Adalyn was fine, and that I was just tired and needed to calm down. It was very scary though. At least now I know what I need to avoid so it hopefully doesn't happen again.

I'm glad I'm not the only one to have experienced this. My pp hormones have been so mellow, so it was definitely unexpected.

greenbeanqueen · October 2013

I hate anxiety attacks, most of mine have been so irrational that I felt stupid the whole time I was having the panic attack, which ended up making it worse.

pb&fluff · October 2013

I had a LOT of anxiety, but it didn't show until probably about 7 months, when we started to have sleep issues. I saw a psychiatrist and she put me on medication to keep my anxiety under control. It's not shameful or embarrassing to have to seek help. Being a parent is hard. I feel SO much better and I enjoy my time with P now. Even if it's just one, it could help to talk to someone and see what they say. GL!

Ayres12 · October 2013

I'm so sorry! I probably would have freaked too. She really should have known better though than to just take her out of your arms.

sgautschi · October 2013

@ayres Yeah I really didn't, and don't, like that she did that, but I know she was just excited and wasn't trying to make me feel like she was taking my baby away. Still, I would never grab someone's baby from them like that. Not everyone thinks about their actions beforehand though. I'm just glad I'm home now with my baby and getting her all to myself (except for DH of course).

TudorRose11 · October 2013

Ugh I'm sorry sg. I think people do that thinking they are just entitled to and that it makes them feel closer to the LO but it's truly pretty disrespectful to the parents. It would have definitely bothered me too!

pistolpackinmomma · October 2013

I had one after we had switched to formula. R had been on formula for about a week or two and was refusing the bottle and tried latching on to me through my shirt. I had to hand him to W because I just couldn't do it. I went to the bathroom and hyperventilated and eventually puked. After R was fed, W came to check on me but I just couldn't even spit out what was wrong. Anxiety attacks are no joke and scary as shit! I'm sorry that you were caught off guard.

sgautschi · October 2013

@pistolpackinmomma That sounds scary too! Have you had many since? Or just the one?

pistolpackinmomma · October 2013

It was just the one. I think it was a combination of being tired and the stress of not really wanting to switch to formula. I was having some major mommy guilt too. I still have moments of being stressed and wanting to pull my hair out but nothing like that. Honestly, the best thing to do is to put the baby somewhere safe (crib, swing, etc) and remove yourself from the situation to calm down and recollect yourself. I could tell R was getting worked up because I was worked up and as soon as I gave him to W and walked away, W said he calmed right down and ate his bottle and went to sleep.

vitan · October 2013

((hugs)) Totally get you. I had a meltdown in the hospital from all the visitors. Hormones plus time of day can be a recipe for disaster! Kudos to you for realizing that it wasn't anything personal and that it's the "norm".

cinderin · October 2013

I have a hard time sharing DS (especially with MIL who acts like he is her kid and I am an inconvenience). So before we go to anything, I kind of mentally prepare myself. I think about how everyone will want to hold him the whole time we are there. It helps that I am BF, so I do get him back to feed him.

I try to focus on what I do get to do. I get to have a moment to drink water, eat something and visit with other adults. I also remind myself that it will be over soon and that I am DS's mom, so I will be the most important (with DH) to him, even if other people think they are :-).

bridget0117 · October 2013

I'm sorry you had to go through that. I would have panicked too. ((Hugs))

lindsayandjamie · October 2013

I can totally relate. I had really mellow hormones too, but aroud two weeks pp, I began developing anxiety every night around 10pm. I think it was the exhaustion and knowing I was 'going to bed' but not actually going to get much rest and it caught up with me. It took a few weeks for the anxiety to subside. I never had an attack, but I was always in the safety of my home with just me, DH and DS. If I had been out and about at that time, I probably would have reacted like you. Its scary to feel so out of control of your emotions and for it to sneak up on you out of nowhere. Hang in there momma, you aren't alone

Sewilson33 · October 2013

I'm sorry you went through that! I am sure everyone understood, I mean they all were new parents at some point! Hope it doesn't happen again!

sgautschi · October 2013

Thanks ladies!

@lindsayandjamie It's so weird that it spiked up for you also around 2 weeks. I have noticed the past few days that I've been having nausea also, so I must be having a change of hormones. Definitely explains the anxiety. Glad to hear it didn't last too long for you! I hope I'm in the clear soon!

@sewilson Thanks! I hope it doesn't happen again either!

First post-pregnancy anxiety attack...

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