|
|
There are different types and degrees of anxiety. It is natural to
be concerned for a baby's health and to worry about whether you're looking
after it properly, however some mothers may experience panic attacks
and excessive fear for the baby's life.
Panic attacks can involve palpitations, hyperventilation and feeling
as if you're about to lose control over everything. The important thing
to remember when this happens is that the panic attack itself is the
worst thing that's going to happen. Focusing on a breathing exercises
and taking deep breaths, can dispel the panic attack.
Early, acute anxiety is more likely in first time mothers who are isolated
from family support. The panic occurs when faced with the responsibility
of looking after a new baby. The mother may become agitated and act
uncharacteristically.
Other women can be overcome with the fear of cot death and check obsessively,
sometimes twenty to thirty times through the night to make sure he/she
is breathing. As a consequence the mother suffers from severe insomnia,
which increases their general agitation.
Excessive anxiety for the baby may even make the mother afraid of her
own actions. This can turn into a phobia, where she can't even touch
the baby and won't let her partner go to work, so he can be at home.
 |
|
