As many as 20% of all new parents (that includes those who give birth and those who don’t) experience anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum. Anxiety can look different for everyone.
Sometimes it may feel like all you do is worry about your baby’s health and safety to the point that it robs you of everyday joys. Other times, you may feel angry and irritable towards others, including your partner. You may even be experiencing panicky feelings like racing heart and trouble breathing. Often, these anxiety symptoms come with poor sleep, and the exhaustion snowballs, making all the other feelings worse.
Do you feel like you…
- are always worried about your baby (for example, about their health or safety)?
- can’t control your worries and they are always on your mind?
- find yourself being angry, agitated, and irritable?
- are often restless and feel on edge?
- have trouble concentrating and focusing?
- are often fatigued but have trouble falling or staying asleep?
- have physical symptoms that aren’t due to a medical issue including feeling very tense and like your heart is racing, shortness of breath, and may even have upset stomach?
If these symptoms sound familiar, you may be experiencing anxiety. There are gold standard, evidence-based interventions available for anxiety that will help you manage your worries and symptoms, feel in control of your life, and gain a restored perspective.
Dr. Ellen Kolomeyer is a clinical psychologist with expertise in parenting young children and in mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. She is based in Plantation, FL and provides consultations to clients throughout Florida.
