I wish someone had prepared me for all the what ifs that go through your head and the constant worry. What if I drop the baby? What if my baby chokes while nursing? What if someone tries to kidnap us when we go to the store alone? What if my baby suddenly stops breathing? What if I trip while carrying my baby? And the list goes on! I think of every possible scenario in my head and see it happening. I suppose this is natures way of making sure we are always prepared and protecting our babies. But damn, it can get pretty intense!
One thing I started doing whenever I get into the obsessive “what if” loop, I say this psalm: “For Yahweh does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind”. I repeat it over and over like a mantra until the thoughts go away.
Another one for me was what if me worrying about dropping my baby or picturing it is actually PPD. It can get so intrusive! But I am glad to hear I’m not alone.
Postpartum anxiety is definitely real and as a mom who already had clinically diagnosed anxiety it hit hard for me as well!!! I’m glad you found a way to have some peace of mind !!!
Also there is lots of support out there too I’ve found a lot of that with PSI ( postpartum support international) they have a hotline and they help you find support in your area it’s just amazing
It’s definitely not as bad as it used to be. It’s one of those things that has gotten a lot better with prayer and time. I think it helps that my daughter is a little older, so she’s not quite as fragile. I still tend to overthink everything.
I told myself it’s not PPD it’s just the general worrying and wondering about all the things that could go wrong now that you’re responsible for this precious little baby. And I think picturing how something could go wrong is just part of that process. But who knows maybe this is postpartum anxiety? I’m not sure I’ll ever stop worrying this much though even when he’s 35!
I can relate to this so muchI struggled with postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy, but with my last pregnancy it was mostly postpartum anxiety. The constant “what if” thoughts were exhausting, and my mind always seemed to jump to the worst case scenario. My faith helped me through so many of those moments, and verses like this brought me so much peace. Thank you for sharing this, it reminds other moms that they’re not alone
Exactly! That’s how I am too. Like just today my 6 year old grandson was visiting, and the two of them kept going in the tent with the door down. I couldn’t help but think how she might be getting sat on or smacked. Nothing happened, but I was really worried. Everything turned out just fine. I really don’t want to end up being one of those helicopter moms
Ugh, yes!! The what ifs are enough to make you lose your mind! Like why don’t we actually get some kind of guide to ease our mind on some of it! You have a great strategy though, I love it
I struggled with postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy, but with my last pregnancy it was mostly postpartum anxiety. The constant “what if” thoughts were exhausting, and my mind always seemed to jump to the worst case scenario. My faith helped me through so many of those moments, and verses like this brought me so much peace. Thank you for sharing this, it reminds other moms that they’re not alone
is amazing!
