Everyone talked about postpartum depression. No one warned me about postpartum anxiety. At 3 AM I was googling “is my baby breathing?” 10 times per night.
Here are 5 symptoms I had that no one told me:
1. Constant checking:
I checked baby breathing every 20 minutes all night. I could not sleep even when he slept. My Apple Watch showed 3 hours sleep.
2. Scary intrusive thoughts:
“What if I drop him on stairs?” I cried after this thought. I thought I am bad mom. Doctor said 80% moms get this – it’s anxiety, not reality.
3. Can’t relax even when baby safe:
Husband held baby, baby safe, but my chest tight, heart fast. I was in kitchen cleaning bottles to “stay busy.”
4. Googling everything at 3 AM:
“Why toddler cries after feeding?” “Is green poop normal?” 2 hours googling every night.
5. Anger then guilt:
I snapped at husband for small thing, then cried 1 hour from guilt. Hormones + no sleep + anxiety = explosion.
What helped me in USA:
- Told OB at 6-week checkup – she said very common
- 10 min walk outside daily (even with stroller around block)
- No coffee after 2 PM (made anxiety worse)
- Talked to 1 mom friend – she had same!
- Asked doctor for therapist list – many take insurance
If you feel this at 3 AM, you are NOT bad mom. You are anxious mom who loves so much it hurts.
You are not alone. 1 in 5 USA moms have this.
Did you feel this too? Tell me in comments – I read every one.
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