Perinatal Anxiety

Having a new baby is an incredibly stressful event. Suddenly you find yourself worrying about things that might have never entered your mind before- like germs in public, drivers on the road or thoughts of something terrible happening to you or your baby. While most women have these worries after their baby is born, they are usually short-lived (fleeting) and go away on their own. For some women though, the thoughts linger, and their worry starts to impact on how they function in daily activities. These are the hallmarks of postnatal anxiety.

This feeling of anxiety might have been there for some women even before their baby was [KH1]  born, or this might be the first episode of anxiety for that person. Either way, the feelings of dread, panic, being on edge and racing thoughts can be very scary. The symptoms of anxiety can include:

• Panic attacks (a racing heart, palpitations, shortness of breath, shaking or feeling physically ‘detached’ from your surroundings)

• Persistent worry, often focused on fears for the health, wellbeing or safety of the baby

• Development of obsessive or compulsive thoughts and/or behaviours

• Abrupt mood swings

• Being nervous, ‘on edge’, or panicky

• Feeling constantly tired and lacking energy

• Withdrawing from friends and family

• Being easily annoyed or irritated