Many women have heard of postpartum depression. While they may not fully understand what it is unless they go through the emotional lows themselves, there is a general idea of the symptoms that come with the condition. But what many new mothers may not be familiar with is postpartum anxiety. And because of this, women may suffer with their feelings being told that what they are experiencing is normal or that they are exaggerating as a new mom. But, life goes forward and diet and lifestyle choices can make anxiety levels rise. One of which is drinking coffee. Something that should be avoided with postpartum anxiety.
One of the things that pregnant women look forward to when their pregnancies are over is drinking their first cup of caffeinated coffee. But when suffering from postpartum anxiety, that cup of coffee can make the situation worse.
As such, when dealing with the condition, women should speak to their healthcare providers about what could be potential anxiety triggers so that those things can be avoided and moving past postpartum anxiety is easier to do.
Here is why coffee can make postpartum anxiety worse.
What Is Postpartum Anxiety?
After giving birth, there is a level of anxiety that all women have when it comes to taking care of their new babies. But when that anxiety is all-consuming, postpartum anxiety may be present.
Postpartum anxiety occurs when women have an excessive amount of worry or fear surrounding their new babies, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Anxiety can cause “irrational fears or excessive worries” about events that are likely never going to happen. Regardless of this, the anxiety will continue to grow unless and until help is received.
Those who suffer from postpartum anxiety, per publication, may have the following symptoms:
- Trouble sleeping
- Heart racing several times per day
- Digestion issues
- Shortness of breath
- Lack of appetite
- Needing to be in control of all situations
- Being overly cautious in safe situations
- Refusing to see people or go places
- Feeling consistently fearful
- Always thinking about worst-case outcomes
If women find themselves suffering from these thoughts or feelings, seeing a healthcare professional immediately is recommended.
What Triggers Postpartum Anxiety
If there was one thing after delivery that causes postpartum anxiety to be triggered, then healthcare professionals could monitor new moms more closely for the condition. Unfortunately, according to What To Expect, there is no one thing. However, There are “factors” that can cause postpartum anxiety to be triggered.
Those factors, per the publication, include:
- Lack of sleep
- Hormones
- Feeling the need to be “perfect”
- Personalty types
- History of anxiety attacks
- Family history of mental health conditions
- Having a premature baby
This is by no means an extensive list. As such, there may be other reasons that the anxiety is triggered. And help should still be received to ease the anxiety being felt.
Limiting Coffee Eases Postpartum Anxiety
With the sleep deprivation that some mothers can suffer in the first weeks and months after delivery, dependence on coffee can take place. And for those who suffer from postpartum anxiety, this can make matters worse. Not better.
According to ZenCare, caffeine can trigger anxiety and panic attacks to happen. As such, the very thing that mothers are using to stay awake may cause one of the reasons that they are tired (staying up at night worrying) to happen.
Therefore, per publication, the best way to handle not getting sleep is to reach out for help. Have assistance during the day with the baby to catch up on sleep. Have partners take on some nightly feedings so that sleep can be had.
Whatever it is, eliminating coffee from the diet until postpartum anxiety has come to an end is the best thing that mothers can do for themselves when anxiety levels are high.
Energy Boosts Not From Caffeine
When caffeine is no longer part of the solution to give the body energy during the day, other means of powering the body up to take the day need to be had.
According to MindBodyGreenHealth, those means include:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Stay hydrated
- Exercise
- Spend some time in the sun
- Take short naps
- Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day
While these ideas will not give the same immediate boost of energy, they will help. And once the help is received to move past postpartum anxiety, then coffee may be able to be part of the daily routine once again.
Source: Cleveland Clinic, What To Expect, ZenCare, MindBodyGreenHealth
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