Health & Wellness

[Rachael]

Hello all!

I just birthed my first baby 4 months ago after a completely wild pregnancy! It was an attempted free birth that landed in the hospital (thankfully it ended up being a natural/physiological birth regardless-he was born in the amniotic sack and super healthy!). The hospital was a pretty traumatic experience though and I have major PTSD over my side of the family not being supportive of my choices and values during pregnancy. I went to visit my family in my hometown at 3 months pp and am now experiencing major anxiety and what would be called postpartum depression ever since (almost a month now). Intrusive thoughts of the worst case scenarios, panic/terror attacks, lots of fear, lack of appetite, feelings of shame/guilt, sleep deprivation, etc. I do regret visiting family so early in pp, especially with the dynamics we shared/all the trauma that came up as I feel like it’s sabotaged my connection with my sweet baby at the moment. I am looking forward to making it through this on the other side.

I am looking to see if anyone has ever experienced this as well and if anyone has resources to share to support healing? What are some good resources for when I am in the panicked state as well (it can get paralyzing)? Any natural remedies? I refuse to take anti-depressants, but life feels so difficult right now-I wish I could titrate this experience but it seems to be flooding in.

Many thanks to this wonderful community!

Discussion

[Kelly]

Way to go bringing a beautiful new soul in!

I would start by validating what you have experienced. Getting your nervous system in a state of safety will help so much. Cranio-Sacral (possibly with a skilled osteopath or trained cranio-sacral practitioner) is amazing for post partum – as my osteopath told me (I haven’t researched the validity of this, but its what she told me…):

The founder of osteopathy was riding thru town and saw a woman he knew running around hysterically, he knew she had been pregnant but was no longer and so he stopped to help her and she was in something like a state of psychosis, he put her on his horse and took her to her home and by the time they arrived she was back to a normal state! He credited her change of state with the motion of the horse adjusting her sacrum which had gotten out of balance during child birth!

I wish I would have known about this after I birthed!

I had anxiety creep in around 3 months postpartum and in all honesty it is still with me but I can generally see it for what it is rather than engaging it…I personally like to blame my hormones (which I know is a part of a greater whole and they wouldn’t be out of balance if I weren’t, but sometimes having that scapegoat comforts me…lol) I have been working with a classical homeopath and have my go to constitutional remedy for when the depression/anxiety crops up (it’s always at the same time each month…) and as my hormones have been out of whack for 20ish years, evidently it takes approximately one month for each year of constitutional treatment to reach cure, I still have close to a year to go – here’s hoping…

Other things I have found useful:

Bach remedies have helped me a ton on a day to day basis, I would research them all but as a starting point:

Pine: can be helpful in honoring yourself when regrets exist, regardless of what they are.

Star of Bethlehem: comfort for what you’ve been thru.

Tissue salt #6 Kali Phos is one that I take when I feel the anxiety waves comes on – one dose every 15(ish) minutes for about 4 doses and I tend to regulate. I also take it nightly as a preventative.

Talking to someone can help, make sure to vet them hard so you feel safe and aligned but I’ve found somatic and internal family systems to be of benefit.

Sending you blessed new mama hugs! Always remember that everything is a season and will pass, the good and the bad, and you will get through it 💓

[Rachael]

Kelly! Thank you so much for your insight and I am sorry you have had to endure a similar experience. It’s definitely feeling like one of the biggest hardships I have gone through yet. You have so much strength to be through the other side, even if you still have some lingering symptoms. That’s so interesting regarding the osteopath, the horse and the woman! I am currently working on getting my nervous system back to baseline, as you mentioned. I appreciate all of your suggestions. I keep receiving signs regarding the flower essences, so I am going to work on getting some to play with. I find somatic therapy to be really useful, so I will work with that as well. Many thanks for your words and sharing! <3

[Dorothy]

Wow! Sounds like you got a dose of what I think of as medical PTSD. The suggestions sent all sound great. I’m wondering where you’re located. I’m a health freedom oriented psychologist with a specialty in pre and personal psychology-in Ca. And also a flower essence practitioner. I would also recommend Alaskan essence soul support. My text is (707)322-3222 if you want to get in touch. Wishing you the best in finding excellent support in whatever way that comes.

[Rachael]

Thank you, Dorothy! I will look into the soul essence. I am located in Central, NY. Would be great to connect even miles away … I will text you! 🙂

[Katherine]

Hi Rachel,

I’m sorry to hear about everything you are going through. I recently had a challenging experience around a miscarriage and was able to find invaluable support and perspective connecting with Eyla Cuenca in a one on one consultation.

She is about to have a free masterclass specifically around post partum depression that I think would be a helpful experience for you to listen in on, and if you feel called I would definitely recommend connecting with her directly.

https://www.uncoveringbirth.com/the-postpartum-puzzle

Sending you support as you navigate this!

Katherine

uncoveringbirth.com

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[Rachael]

I adore Eyla’s energy … I am going to tune into her workshop and possibly book a 1:1 with her. Many thanks for your suggestion!!

[Jena]

SWEET MAMA, YOUR BODY WILL RECOVER….AND I AM GLAD YOU ARE AMONG US! I BIRTHED 3 IN MY OWN BED IN THE ’80S AND SCARED MY FAMILY, BUT THEY WERE HERE TO SUPPORT ME…IT WAS THE HARDEST THING i HAVE DONE AND TOOK MONTHS TO RECOVER FROM, NURSING 24/7 AND ALL THE ANXIETY OF CARING FOR NEW LIFE…..WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU…YOU ARE BRAVE AND STRONG TO WANT THE BEST FOR YOUR CHILD…BRAVO RACHEL! REST AS MUCH AS U CAN WHEN BABY SLEEPS AND TRY NOT TO DO EVERYTHING AROUND THE HOUSE YOU WOULD LIKE….REST, RELAX AND HEAL.

[Rachael]

Your words made me smile .. thank you for you uplifting share and belief in me … in us! <3

[Erin]

<div>This just came to my inbox and thought it could be helpful. Wishing you all the best 💗</div><div>
</div>https://www.uncoveringbirth.com/the-postpartum-puzzle

uncoveringbirth.com

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[Rachael]

Thank you so much, Erin! 🙂

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