Dear Dora,

Most new mothers have some level of anxiety about their responsibility for the new person in their life. Pediatricians, obstetricians, and nurses are used to hearing worries, concerns, and questions. However, for reasons we cannot explain, about one in ten mothers have excessive worries and severe anxiety that may make it difficult for them to take care of and enjoy their new babies.

Just as with postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety is a serious matter that can take several different forms involving anxiety, panic, and/or compulsiveness. Symptoms may include extreme and uncontrollable anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, chest pains, heart palpitations, shaking, muscle tension, feeling a loss of control, repetitive behaviors (such as sterilizing the same clean bottle 20 times a day), difficulty concentrating, remembering and completing simple tasks, and in some cases, obsessive thoughts about intentionally or accidentally harming the baby or yourself. These symptoms may occur separate from or along with symptoms of postpartum depression.

Every new mother should discuss her concerns, feeling and anxieties with her health care provider on a regular basis. Mothers like you, who have questions about your feelings or actions, should not delay. Call your health care provider with your concerns right away. Your HCP will be able to answer your questions and ease your fears, or determine a course of action to help you find your way through this challenging time, so you are able to enjoy the joys of motherhood and life.

Educating women on health care options is the personal mission of Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., founder and CEO of Women's Health America. If you have a women's health care question, send it to Marla at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . If your question is chosen for publication, we'll send you a free sample of one of our latest health care innovations.