Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

I have been sitting here all day watching and playing with DS and just called my DH because I am officially beside myself. I have been having a lot of anxiety the last week as I am returning to work next week (after only eight weeks) and have an absolute dreaded feeling that something bad is going to happen to DS. It is probably an irrational fear and I understand that, as his grandmothers will be watching him but I am sick over it.

On top of that DS is due for his first round of shots in mid March. I have read SOOOOO much on this topic over the last 11 months and still am not sure what to do. I know there may be no "proven" link to this causing autism but then I think well what if somewhere down the road they see there is ome type of trigger and I actually caused my DS harm.....it is just a sickening feeling. I almost felt like I had a panic attack earlier and my DH husband thinks I need to go see a doctor about al lthis as I am really and truly sick over it. We have even spoken to more than one doctor on their thoughts and have received different viewpoints. I sometimes wish being a mommy was eaiser becuase right now I feel the weight of the world...gulity for leaving next week and horrible as I don't know what to do about shots...I honestly feel like I will never be able to forgive myself if anything bad happens to this child.
Just needing to vent and get this down, sometimes it helps....

Message edited 2/28/2008 5:34:01 PM.

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

I am so sorry you are having such anxiety- I too had this really badly at from birth to about 10 weeks. Realize that it is so normal to feel this way- suddenly you are responsible for this totally helpless individual and it is just terrifying- at least it was for me. I would talk to your doctor if it doesn't get easier. All your fears have some basis in truth(not being one caring for your DC while you are at work means losing some control), shots have caused a ton of controversay lately but in the end, everything will be ok. You just have to trust your instincts. Right now, you are just filled with fear than any decision you make will be life altering. I know that feeling well.
Find a professional to talk to- no one should have to feel this way.

Message edited 2/28/2008 5:54:17 PM.

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

I understand you being upset about leaving DC when you go to work. I didn't even have my baby yet and I'm already dreading leaving I don't have any advice for the autism thing, I too have the same fears.

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

I completely understand your anxiety about going back to work. I have to admit, for me it only lessened a little bit. Now, DH is just over 17 months and I made the tough decision to stay at home with him (I was laid off but i made the decision not to look for future work).
Regarding the shots, I can not give any advice. I have given DS all the recommended vaccinations thus far. I have spoken with my ped about any concerns I have had and been reassured. it is completely a personal decision though

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

i've had moments of debilitating anxiety since ds was born. i think part of it has to do with hormonal changes, and the rest has to do with the fact that i am now responsible for this little human being that i love more than anything on earth!

as his mother i am making decisions for him every day, and i am terrified of making the wrong one.

BUT at a certain point, you have to let that anxiety go just a little, and recognize that you are doing what you believe is in your baby's best interest. you can't do any more than that.

will every decision you make be the 'right' one, in hindsight? no. but you are doing the best you can given what is known.

about the vaccines issue... this is a very personal decision. but i choose to focus on what we DO know about them rather than what we don't. we DO know that most diseases that we vaccinate against have very dangerous complications, including death. there is absolutely no question about that. the link between autism and vaccines has not even come close to being proven. so i don't question for a second the need to vaccinate my child.

www.cdc.gov has great info about vaccines if you want to read about them.

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Aww sweetie..ITs all so normal. your not alone.

I wish I had advice, but I can only say always trust your gut and if your concerned your being irrational, Im sure someone can help you work through that

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

I had a lot of anxiety coming back to work. DS was so needy. I was nowhere ready for him to be out of my sight at 8 weeks. He had just learned that it was OK not to be in my arms all day long. I was scheduled to come back to work at 12 weeks. I posponned for an additional 2 weeks. And that's after I kept convincing myself over and over that it was going to be OK.

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

I felt the same way b/f DS's first shots and still feel the same way b/f every month's shots. I highly recc the vaccine book by dr. sears - it made me feel more informed about making decisions re: ds's shots. also, think of it this way - if you don't listen to the ped and get the shots and god forbid dc gets oneof these illnesses that could have been prevented by the shot you will feel much worse - my ped tried to make me feel better telling me this - that i am actually being a good mother by getting my son vaccinated. hope this helps a little - i know it stinks

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

I was agonizing going back to work at 12 weeks and I know going back at 8 weeks would have been even harder. but in all honesty and I know everyone is different but the anticipation was WAYYYYYY worse than actually going back. By the third day I was feeling guilty for not thinking about her every second. I've been back for a liitle over a month now and it's been a really smooth transition.

Sorry - I can't hep you with the vaccine decision. We have been getting them as they are scheduled. I think the benefits outweigh the potential risks.

It won't hurt if you go to a doctor and tell him/her your feelings. You will probably feel a lot better.

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Being a mommy can be so stressful. I highly recommend Dr. Sear's book The Vaccine Book. It is the most balanced treatment of the vaccine issue I have seen so far.

My advice for the vaccines -- decide which are most important to you, then give one or two shots at a time with a month between the next shot.

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Re: Beyond stressing out--long and may be sensitive topic...

Posted by alexlynn7



i've had moments of debilitating anxiety since ds was born. i think part of it has to do with hormonal changes, and the rest has to do with the fact that i am now responsible for this little human being that i love more than anything on earth!

as his mother i am making decisions for him every day, and i am terrified of making the wrong one.

BUT at a certain point, you have to let that anxiety go just a little, and recognize that you are doing what you believe is in your baby's best interest. you can't do any more than that.

will every decision you make be the 'right' one, in hindsight? no. but you are doing the best you can given what is known.

about the vaccines issue... this is a very personal decision. but i choose to focus on what we DO know about them rather than what we don't. we DO know that most diseases that we vaccinate against have very dangerous complications, including death. there is absolutely no question about that. the link between autism and vaccines has not even come close to being proven. so i don't question for a second the need to vaccinate my child.

www.cdc.gov has great info about vaccines if you want to read about them.