Maryann: Two Positive Pregnancies and Inductions, Panic Attack Leads to Postpartum Anxiety Diagnoses

Our third sister-in-law, Maryann, joins Liz & Natalie to tell her two birth stories. After trying for about a year to get pregnant, she was amazed to see a positive test in early 2015. She had an amazing pregnancy with her first and a pretty positive induction, which resulted in pushing for three hours. When they got home, she was met with anxiety but was not too sure what it was. She would watch her baby sleep and therefore, wasn’t getting much sleep herself. She recalls feeling “off” for about a year until she experienced a panic attack in the middle of Home Depot. She was diagnosed with anxiety and started on medication. 

She finally felt ready to have another child in 2018, especially when Liz was pregnant with Arthur! She had a positive pregnancy and induction again, and much faster labor and pushing for the second time around. She still struggles with severe anxiety but is working with a psychiatrist and mental health therapist. 

Her story highlights the often overlooked reality that postpartum anxiety can persist long after childbirth, affecting a mother’s well-being and daily functioning. Maryann’s courage in seeking help and her ongoing commitment to managing her anxiety demonstrate the importance of raising awareness and destigmatizing mental health challenges faced by new mothers. 

We want to acknowledge the significance of Maryann’s story and the importance of destigmatizing postpartum mental health issues. One huge reason we started this podcast is to come together as a community, supporting and empowering one another, and advocating for improved resources and accessible care. We aim for a future where postpartum anxiety is openly discussed and every mother receives the support she deserves.

We invite you to join our Facebook group, where we come together to break down the stigmas surrounding birth and share our unique birth stories. In this supportive community, we uplift and empower one another, offering a safe space to discuss the challenges and triumphs of motherhood. 

Join our Facebook group community here!