this can't be normal..

Even before Sage was born I've been paranoid about her.  I mean I know everyone worries about their kids, but I WORRY.  I try not to, but I literally cannot stop thinking about the worst possible things that could maybe happen to her.  Last night I lay awake all night worrying and worrying.  My mother recently told me she neverrr worried as much as I do.  I feel like maybe it had something to do with her being a very young mother (18).  I am young, but I have a lot of life in my years and more education than most young mothers.  A lot of my peers seem to never worry as much as me about their children and I think it's becoming a problem for me.  DH doesn't even do a fraction of worrying about her as I do.

This cannot be normal, I feel like maybe I should seek some kind of help?

Karen

Maybe you should look into some anti-anxiety meds? They may take the edge off.

I was an excessive worrier after the birth of my 1st child. I would be plagued with thoughts that maybe he had stopped breathing in the crib at night, that he could catch a serious illness in a public place. I even worried about someone abducting him in the night... I knew I was being irrational, but it didn't stop the thoughts from entering my head and really bothering me. I ended up determining the anxiety was caused by the postpartum hormone-shift... I went on anti-depressants until the baby was about 15 months old, and that helped immensely.
Thankfully, I never got that same crazy anxious feeling after my 2nd baby was born. 
I still tend to be more of a worrier, more cautious, than a lot of moms I know... but I think a lot of that is just my nature.
We love and value our kids more than anything else in the entire world (including ourselves) so of course, as moms, we never stop worrying about & watching out for them!
I would talk to your doctor or a counselor and see if there's anything they think might help you get through this postpartum year with less-anxiety.
Best of luck,
Violet :)

I am a worrier by nature but for some reason Amelia doesn't worry me. I agree with the PP that maybe meds might help? I have been on zoloft since I stopped breastfeeding and it has been a lifesaver!

Good luck hun!

Talk to your dr and see what s/he says.  It's normal to worry some, but not to the extent that you are staying awake at night worrying.  If it's enough that you're questioning if it's 'normal' worrying, then it's worth looking into.  Hopefully your dr will be able to help you get a handle on the worrying so you can just enjoy your baby w/o the worrying detracting from the enjoyment.

Postpartum Anxiety – (10-20%) characterized by excessive worry and nervousness, it can occur by itself or will often be present along with depression. Specific anxiety disorders that can also occur are:

Panic Disorder - (10%) recurrent panic attacks that may include palpitations, hot or cold flashes, chest pains, shaking, dizziness, shortness of breath, fear of losing control or going crazy.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) - (3-5%) repetitive and unwanted thoughts, images, or behaviors that are disturbing (including thoughts of harming or harm coming to the baby), and avoiding the baby or situations in order to cope with the unsettling feelings.


You aren't weird, but it looks like it would be a good idea to talk to your doctor.

my father was diagnosed with ocd.  funny thing is I have my BA in psych and I know this is not right.  Dont think it's a panic disorder, prob anxiety or a little OCD.

i worry alot about my kids as well.. but i think its because of what i do for a living.. im not worried about sickness... cuts/bruises..falls that kind of stuff... but more about them getting shot or abucted... makes no sence as i dont live in an area like that..

same with me.  injury's and stuff I can deal with.  I worry about like her get abducted, killed in a car accident, getting her head chopped off... **** that is totally unnecessary and out of my control.

what do you do for a living? I never asked lol

Hey there,
Rest assured, you are NOT weird. Talking to your doctor is a good start. It sounds like you are experiencing some postpartum anxiety. I suffered with it for a long time, and while meds did help, working with an excellent therapist really got me through it.  Most people are really familiar with PPD, but PPA is much lesser known, and so it goes misdiagnosed a lot. Start by calling your doctor, and contact your health insurance for a good referral to a counselor. I hope this helps! You're not alone!