Dealing with post traumatic stress after pregnancy

When my little one was born, I was filled with so much joy that nothing else mattered. But as the weeks and months went by, it became harder for me to find joy in anything.

I started having flashbacks of my labor and delivery; they would come out of nowhere and terrify me. I’d be stuck reliving a part of that experience all over again, and it was terrifying every single time.

I tried to brush these symptoms off for a while - after all, I had more important things to focus on than myself. But soon enough, I knew that what I was feeling was something more than exhaustion or anxiety: it was post traumatic stress from my pregnancy and birth experience.

It’s been a long road since then - but I’m so grateful that I finally got the help that I needed. With help from my loved ones and therapy sessions, I’m finally learning how to cope with posttraumatic stress in a healthier way. It’s been incredible to have support throughout this process - which makes such a difference!

The biggest thing is not letting these emotions take control of my life: by riding through each wave with self-compassion, and reminding myself of the progress that I’ve made even when things feel like there’s no hope left. It has been hard but such a rewarding journey and everyone going through something similar deserves loving support too!

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I’m so sorry to hear about what you’re going through. It’s admirable that you have the strength to keep going despite the difficulties. I can relate to your experience as I’ve gone through something very similar before. As a 32 year old woman, it took me over a year to finally get help and learn how to cope with my post traumatic stress. It was so liberating and empowering when I started recognizing patterns in myself and understanding how to manage them better.

No one should feel like they’re alone in their struggles, so remember that someone is always out there willing to listen and provide support if needed. Self-care, self-compassion, and asking for help are key components of managing emotions and giving yourself the love you need during hard times. You got this!

Hey OP, thank you for sharing your experience. It takes so much strength to recognize and address the emotions you’ve been going through. I can relate to feeling overwhelmed by the emotions of motherhood, especially when it’s mixed with traumatic experiences. It’s amazing that you reached out for help and found the support you needed. I’m so glad to hear that therapy and the support of loved ones have made a difference for you. Coping with post traumatic stress is a difficult process, but you’re doing an incredible job by showing yourself compassion and acknowledging the progress you’re making. It’s okay to have bad days, but remember to celebrate the small victories too. You’re not alone, and your story is a reminder that seeking help and support is so important. Keep going, and remember to be kind to yourself as you navigate this healing process.

Hey man, I hear you. It’s no easy feat to deal with post-traumatic stress, especially when you’re also adjusting to being a new parent. I’m really glad to hear that you’ve reached out for help and that you’re finding support in loved ones and therapy. It takes a lot of strength to confront these feelings head-on, and you’re doing an amazing job. Just remember to be gentle with yourself and celebrate even the smallest victories along the way. It’s okay to have moments where it feels like everything is overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. Keep leaning on your support system and taking strides towards healing. You’re making progress and that’s something to be proud of. Sending you positive vibes and well wishes for your continued journey towards recovery.

Hey friend, thank you for sharing your experience. It takes a lot of courage to talk about the challenges we face, especially when it comes to mental health. I’m sorry to hear that you had to go through those flashbacks and the fear that came with them. It must have been really tough for you. It’s great to hear that you were able to recognize what was happening and seek help. It’s so important to have a support system, whether it’s through loved ones or therapy. You’re absolutely right about not letting these emotions take control - it’s something I’ve been working on too. It’s a process, and there are ups and downs, but self-compassion is key. It’s okay to have those tough moments, as long as we keep reminding ourselves of the progress we’ve made. Sending you lots of love and support as you continue on this path to healing.

Thank you for sharing your experience. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to go through those flashbacks and feelings of terror. It’s so great to hear that you sought help and found support from your loved ones and through therapy. It’s a big step to acknowledge that what you were feeling was more than just exhaustion or anxiety, and it takes a lot of courage to seek the help you needed. Coping with posttraumatic stress is no easy feat, but it’s amazing to hear that you’re learning how to manage those emotions in a healthier way. And you’re right - it’s so important to remind yourself of the progress you’ve made, even when things seem bleak. You deserve all the loving support and compassion as you continue on your path toward healing.

Wow, thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, but I’m so glad to hear that you’ve found the help and support you needed. It’s really brave of you to seek out therapy and lean on your loved ones for support. I can’t imagine how difficult those flashbacks and feelings must have been, but it’s amazing that you’re learning to cope with them in a healthier way. You’re absolutely right about not letting these emotions take control - it’s so important to practice self-compassion and acknowledge the progress you’ve made. Your story is really inspiring, and I hope others in a similar situation can find the same kind of support and help that you did. Keep being strong and taking care of yourself - you deserve it!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It takes a lot of courage to recognize and seek help for post-traumatic stress, especially when you’re also navigating the challenges of new motherhood. I’m really glad to hear that you found the support you needed from your loved ones and therapy sessions. It’s so important to have a safe space to process and heal from these difficult emotions. You’re absolutely right that self-compassion is key in this process - it’s okay to have those rough moments and to remind yourself of the progress you’ve made. Your words will resonate with so many others who are also going through something similar, and it’s wonderful that you’re advocating for that loving support. Sending you all the positive energy as you continue on this path of healing and growth.

Hi there! I totally get where you’re coming from. When my little one was born, I was filled with so much joy, but then those flashbacks from labor and delivery started creeping in and it was terrifying. I tried to push it aside for a while, but I knew it was more than just exhaustion or anxiety. Getting help was the best decision I made. With the support of loved ones and therapy, I’m learning how to cope with posttraumatic stress in a healthier way. It’s tough, but reminding myself of the progress I’ve made really helps. If you’re going through something similar, know that it’s okay to ask for help and that you deserve the support to get through it. Hang in there, you’re not alone!

Hey buddy, I hear you. Dealing with post traumatic stress from pregnancy and birth can be really tough, especially when you’re trying to juggle taking care of a little one. It’s great that you were able to recognize what you were going through and seek out the help you needed. It’s so important to have that support from loved ones and professionals. I’ve been through something similar, and I know how hard it can be to not let those emotions take over. But I’m really glad to hear that you’re learning how to cope in a healthier way. It’s a process, and there will be ups and downs, but you’re making progress and that’s what counts. Keep riding those waves with self-compassion, and remember that it’s okay to ask for help when you need it. You’re doing great, and you deserve all the love and support in the world. Hang in there, buddy.