Are Intrusive thoughts normal?
Whether or not you’ve experienced intrusive thoughts before, it can cause a whole new level of anxiety once your baby arrives. Imagine walking downstairs to make your morning coffee with your newborn in your arms when suddenly you think
“What if I fall down these stairs with my baby and we die?!”
That can feel…alarming…confusing even. You might ask yourself where did come from? It can also come in the form of driving down the road thinking “I could drive my car off the road.”
These uncontrollable thoughts can make a new parent feel terrified that something is wrong with them. Some may even feel like a BAD parent! It’s important to know that these thoughts are typically anxiety induced and happen to a lot more people than you think. These thoughts alone do NOT mean you are going to hurt your baby. They don’t make you a bad parent and nothing is wrong with you!
A postpartum doula is a great resource for discussing these thoughts and potentially gaining insight on what’s in the realm of “normal”. The postpartum period comes with fluctuating hormones, sleep disruptions, a ton of new things to learn, and a whole lot of healing that needs to take place. Sometimes processing all that you’ve gone through to have your baby and now, raise your baby is enough to relieve some anxiety.
In the event it’s outside your doulas scope they should have resources for therapists in your area.
If a postpartum doula or therapist not in the budget, it’s even more important that you have a trusted source you can confide in. Your partner, best friend, even a parent or sibling can be great IF they aren’t the judgmental type. Many people can feel afraid to disclose these kinds of things with their provider out of fear. Having trusted people you can go to before that step can help you feel more secure when they main concern for you and your baby is taking care of yourself - which includes your mental health.
If you feel like intrusive thoughts are taking over your days and nights, affecting your sleep or your relationships, or causing a high amount of anxiety, it’s worth discussing with your medical provider. Being a parent is incredibly hard at times but there is help out there and you don’t have to through those mental battles by yourself.
