Postpartum Anxiety, Mental Health & Reconnecting With Yourself
By: Robyn Liechti, Author
It was just another day grocery shopping with my newborn son. He was propped on top of the shopping cart blissfully resting in his car seat. As we made our way up and down the aisles, shoppers passing by couldn’t help but peer over their shoulder while saying, “Aww.” I couldn’t blame them, I’ve always reacted the same way to babies.
After crossing everything off the handwritten grocery list, we made our way to a cashier. As I approached the empty belt and greeted her, a strange sensation I hadn’t felt before washed over my entire body. The tingling started at the top of my head and made its way down to my toes in a single wave. My heart was racing and my hands were clammy. Unsure if I was going to topple over, I gripped the cart for support. Beeps, the sounds of rustling plastic, and friendly chatter faded into the background. Everything became a blur, and I wondered if I should ask for help. Deciding not to bother anyone, I stayed quiet.
The episode disappeared as quickly as it arrived, leaving nothing but a floating feeling behind. I waited in the car with the window down until my heart rate calmed and I felt stable. The episode would come again though, daily. I never knew when an episode would strike. I had them in the shower, while preparing dinner, while pumping gas into the truck, once while I was driving, and even during a jury duty selection process. Worried, I went to visit my doctor. She tested for vertigo, but that wasn’t it. Then, she put me on a nasal spray, that didn’t work either.
A few months passed, and I was still experiencing the episodes without any answers. My mom came over as often as she could to help, but it was scary. I was a new mom with no idea what was happening to me. I was 26 and there were already many changes that had happened physically and emotionally. I didn’t feel equipped to be dealing with health issues on top of new motherhood.
By my son’s first birthday, the episodes had lessened from daily, to weekly, to monthly. Around that time I started to see a chiropractor and everything began to make sense. The chiropractor was warm, kind, and a mother herself. She asked how being a new mom was and if there had been any changes in my health. Although I was hesitant in case she too recommended a nasal spray, I told her everything about the episodes. By the end of the appointment, I I hadn’t just received an adjustment; I had also received a therapy session.
I hadn’t stopped to process motherhood, my feelings, my fears, or my thoughts before that day. I was on autopilot, scared… all the time. Scared of my son passing away, scared of me passing away with my baby home, scared of being a young mom. The chiropractor explained that I was having postpartum anxiety attacks, something I hadn’t even heard of before. I had always been a little nervous in life but had never experienced anxiety or anxiety attacks. I could see why the nasal spray hadn’t worked.
Although the episodes had lessened, the chiropractor guided me through the signs of an imminent episode and what to do when one arose. The more I knew about anxiety attacks, the less fearful of them I was. And the more aware I became of the anxious thoughts, and shifted them, the less frequent episodes were. Within three months, the episodes had dissolved completely.
When my second son was born three years later, I was determined to have a more present and mindful maternity leave and first year with him. I began prioritizing my mental health by journaling, processing fears and emotions, running, lifting weights at the gym almost every morning, and surrounding myself with friends who made life feel good. I also began practicing yoga and meditation. While I’m sad I didn’t have the best and most wonderful first year with my first son, I certainly learned a lot about asking for help, advocating for myself, and taking my self-care and mental health seriously.
Signs of Postpartum Anxiety
- Increased heart rate, tight chest or throat
- Avoiding regular activities, places and known people.
- Racing thoughts, constant worrying, and imagining the worse
Other common signs of anxiety include: irritability, loss of appetite, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, forgetfulness and difficulty focusing.
Manage Anxiety Attacks
- Breathing exercises
- Grounding exercises
- Soothing music
- Walking
- Fresh air
- Speaking with someone
Anxiety may look different from individual to individual, and I’m not a medical professional, so it’s important to speak with someone if you have any questions or concerns. What helped me the most was recognizing the increased heart rate and stepping outside for fresh air and to focus on my breathing. First, I managed the symptoms, then I began getting to the root cause and focusing on shifting my thoughts to positive ones while learning to stay in the present moment. My anxiety came from fearing the future and what I couldn’t control. Today, I focus on the present moment and what I can control; my thoughts, words, actions, perspective, and what I put into my body. It takes consistent practice, however my efforts have been rewarded with a happier and healthier life.
My experience with journaling as a tool to improve my mental health inspired me to create and self-publish guided journals: A safe space for women to share their stories, celebrate themselves, and learn from life. You can find the guided journals, my podcast for women ‘The Spirit Unleashed’, and empowerment coaching at: https://robynliechti.com/
Please, if you are a new mom (or not) and something feels wrong or off, mentally or physically, do not wait. Contact your doctor, insist, reach out to family or friends, keep pressing for answers, and don’t stop until you’ve found help and answers. You don’t have to pretend that everything is fine. And you certainly don’t have to navigate anything alone.
Robyn Liechti
Author, Podcast Host, Empowerment Coach, Optimist
