Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

[LuluBee]

Well after a rather complicated pregnancy and difficult c-section I felt, and do still feel really happy to have my little Alex and feel I am coping really well with being a new Mummy. Unfortunately I'm probably failing miserably on the wife front, I'm so terrified of ever having to go through a pregnancy like that again (I was on bedrest for 5 months of it) that the thought of having any more children is just a complete no no. My husband's really quite happy with that, but I'm still so terrified that I just freeze up whenever we attempt to have sex, I just link it with getting pregnant and can't do it. I'm completely irrational when it comes to contraception and can't bring myself to trust anything that we use.

Anyway, I don't think my husband will put up with my looney behaviour for much longer so I'm going to speak to the doctor. Do you think that the trauma of it all is just finally catching up with me? I don't think it's post-natal depression becasue I feel really really happy with every other aspect of my life I'm just obsessed and petrified about getting pregnant again.

 

[danni2609]

aww honey u know what i never went through the stuff u did when i was pregnant but im exactly the same i dont want to fall again with a 3rd child it really scares me maybe talk to your OH

 

[Sovereign]

Could be hun. Aww, hope you feel better soon x

 

[Lois]

Hi LuluBee

This website has articles which discuss the symptoms of ptsd so it might be helpful to you... https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk/

It could be that rather than ptsd you have developed a phobia as the result of your tramatic experience...slightly different but equally capable of making life difficult. I would talk to your GP and he/she should be able to refer you for appropriate counselling...there do tend to be long referral lists for NHS counsellors/psychiatrists though so if you can afford it perhaps you could book an appointment for private counselling with someone specialising in sexual health or labour/birth issues?

Hope things get easier for you soon. Lxxx

 

[Shifter]

Could be ptsd, could be a phobia. Talk to your GP I know how you feel, it's not nice.

 

[LuluBee]

thanks ladies, well i went to the doctors this morning and surprised myself i spent most of the appointment in tears talking through how i actually felt about my pregnancy, i never realised just how upsetting i found being on bedrest. anyway, i've been referred to a special mother and baby unit that specialise in counselling women who've had traumatic pregnancies / births, i'm not sure how long the waiting list is but at least we'vev got the ball moving.

Lois that website was really useful, thanks xx

 

[Shifter]

Sounds like you're heading the right way hun

 

[kateqpr]

Honey i know how you feel. I have nights were i just cry so much, kind of mourning the pregnancy i wanted but never had. Bed rest and the fear of losing the baby was such a big thing that you don't really consider at the time because you're just getting through it. Plus to then have a traumatic birth ( and lets face it, it's the most traumatic thing you and your body goes through i reckon) then no wonder you need to get it all off your chest.

I'd definitely talk to matt about it - so that at least you're not shutting him out while you go through it - and that he knows you love him and want things in that department to improve for you both. You've made all the right moves in the right direction so far so am sure things will get better for you all soon

x

 

[pennysbored]

You've done the right thing, just keep talking about it, we are all here for you!