Help! I can't take it anymore. I can't handle my three week old baby. I feel so in adequate, I can't get anything done, and I can't ever get her to stop crying. I've gotten to the point where I don't even want to hold her or see her. I don't miss her when I'm gone. I've had alot of help from my parents so its not like I have to deal with her 24/7. I feel like such a horrible mother, I know deep down I love my baby and I would certainly never harm her. I do my best to fufill her needs as soon as possible, but I am so unhappy. I wish I had never gotten pregnant at all. Could this be postpartum depression? I know babies are difficult, and ones with colic like mine are even worse, but am I really just a horrible mother?
2006-12-09 15:21:48 · 14 answers · asked by manderstwin1 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
That is DEFINITELY postpartum depression.
You are NOT a horrible mother - this is a chemical response to the amazing feat you just did.
Call your doctor. There are medicines that can help you. They are harmless to you and the baby, and you will feel much better after taking them.
It is wonderful that you are reaching out and I hope that you follow through with calling your doctor. They know that this is just a hormonal/chemical change and will not at ALL think ill of you.
Best of luck - and get to enjoying that little bundle! They grow up so fast and she loves you SO SO much!
2006-12-09 15:25:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anne C 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You are not a horrible mother! There are so many days that I feel totally overwhelmed, and feel successful if I get the dishwasher unloaded. But, what you are describing sounds like post partum depression. You really need to talk to someone and get help. You'll have your check up with your OB in 3 weeks, but you may want to get help sooner. Give them a call and talk toa doctor or nurse, they may have suggestions for you. If you ever do feel like hurting yourself or the baby, go to an ER immediatly. The hormones you are expereincing are sending you mixed up messages. But postpartum depression is temporary if you get treatment. Do it for you and the baby, motherhood can be wonderfull! I had a friend with a colicky baby, and she swore by a sling to keep the baby feeling close and protected. She didn't cry as much. I had another friend who was hospitalized after her first for a few days, and with support was great! She went on to have a second birth without the depression.
2006-12-09 15:30:17 · answer #2 · answered by max's mamma 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No your not a horrible mother babies with colic are difficult to deal with and many mothers go through what your going though, At least you have help. I suffer from postpartum depression I cried all the time, felt as if I wasn't good enough, I didn't want to be around people but i NEVER had any negative thoughts about my son who is now 6 months. My depression actually set in when I was put on bed rest at 26 weeks gestation and when I was hospitalized at that same time I had mentioned it to one of the Dr's at the hospital I was sent to telling him I thought I was depressed but he never paid no attention to it. After I gave birth my OB who I just adore could tell at my 6 week checkup something wasn't right with me. He had seen me weekly sometimes twice a week from the time i was 14 weeks pregnant til I delivered at just shy of 36 weeks. He started to ask me questions which I answered honestly and I told him "Dr Z I think I suffer from postpartum" Ive been on medication for a few months now and when on it I feel GREAT when off it, don't talk to me! 80% of new mothers suffer postpartum of that 80% about 25% need to be put on anti depressants and about 3% suffer from psychosis {best known recent case Andrea Yates}
2006-12-09 15:50:22 · answer #3 · answered by texas_angel_wattitude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey hon', I'm a mother of 2 boys and I had the 'baby blues' but they were never what you are describing. I think you should get some help...call your baby doctor if he/she can't make an appt. to see you right away they will most likely give you a phone number you can call to speak to a counselor. As you probably know, post-partum NEEDS to be treated because it can escalate into full-blown depression. I know how tough it is with that new baby..believe me. You just reach out for help and hold on because it WILL get better!
God Bless,
2006-12-09 15:41:59 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is definately postpartum depression. There is nothing wrong with you, aside from this which is very common. Call your doctor immediately and let them know how you feel, I would guess that they will prescribe some medication and set up follow up appointments. This will pass, if you need something to help you understand, try reading the book that Brooke Shields wrote about her bout with postpartum depression.... It can happen to anyone, you are not a horrible mother!
2006-12-09 15:26:08 · answer #5 · answered by pjt 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
There was a recent study that linked babies w/ colic to an increased rate of PPD. My response to that is...DUH! I had a baby w/ colic and it was horrible! There's few things more depressing than being the mother of a newborn and NOT being able to soothe them! It makes you feel totally inadequate!
You might want to talk to your doctor if you're concerned.
2006-12-09 15:26:54 · answer #6 · answered by luvablelds 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no your not a horrible mother. its ok to not just fall in love with your baby the instant you see her/him. she is a person too and like all people you have to get to know / get used to each other. both of you are going through a lot changes. i do think you have the classic signs of post partum and you do need to speak to you doctor asap about it. if it goes untreated it can develop into post partum psycosis. ( probably not spelled right but if you have done any reading you will know what i am talking about.) call you doctor asap.
2006-12-09 15:29:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are not a horrible mother, and yes, it sounds like ppd to me. I have suffered severe post-natal depression (that's what we call it here in Australia), bordering on psychosis, and with an underlying anxiety disorder, for over four years now.
Do not let it get this bad for you - get some help now.
2006-12-09 16:09:37 · answer #8 · answered by Donna M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like postpartum depression to me. Get to a doctor ASAP. This will make things much easier for you. Remember it takes a real woman to ask for help.
Actually, your hormones are out of wack. Pregnancy does a number on your hormones and can make you miserable. The crying baby just adds to it. You are not a horrible mother at all and many women go through this. Things get easier but please call your OB and talk to him/her. Good luck to you!
2006-12-09 15:25:53 · answer #9 · answered by TRUE PATRIOT 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋
nah, you aren't a horrible mother. there is nothing much wrong with you that balanced hormones and 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep won't fix, go talk to your doctor. When my son was 6 months, I took him to the doctor, and said Here, You have him and walked away for about an hour.
2006-12-09 15:25:45 · answer #10 · answered by judy_r8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋