When do you need urgent help?
Call local emergency services for sudden breathlessness, chest pain or pressure, fainting, heavy bleeding, or a severe headache with changes in vision. Get emergency help for severe confusion, hearing voices or seeing things others do not, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby. Say when you gave birth and ask someone nearby to stay with you.
Why might attacks start after childbirth?
The night feed is over. Your baby is asleep, and suddenly your heart is pounding and your hands are shaking. When the tension eases, note what started first, how long it lasted and how you felt between episodes.
- A sudden wave of fear, sometimes with no clear trigger.
- A pounding heart, trembling, sweating or dizziness.
- Afterwards, it can be hard to sleep or feel safe alone with the baby.
Yav in the institute’s framework means what you can observe now: what you feel, what was happening and how it affects your day. Recovery, interrupted sleep, worries about the baby and a difficult birth can overlap. Anxiety may start for the first time or return during this period.
What should you check and tell your clinician?
If this is your first episode, or episodes have changed or keep returning, contact your maternity team or primary care clinician soon. Say how long it has been since birth, whether you had complications or significant blood loss, whether you are breastfeeding and which medicines you take.
Between episodes. Mention palpitations outside attacks, unusual weakness or difficulty tolerating heat. Depending on your history, a clinician may check for anaemia after blood loss or assess thyroid function.
Sleep and mood. Say if you feel anxious most of the day, cannot sleep even when someone takes over, or no longer enjoy things you normally like.
What happened. Note the time, first sensations, duration and what was happening beforehand. You can ask for help with whatever you already remember.
Why can the fear return?
Your heart speeds up. The thought comes: “It’s happening again, and I’m alone with the baby.” Fear can increase tension and turn your attention to every breath and heartbeat. A sensitive alarm draws attention to a problem. You still need to work out what set it off.
| Unhelpful advice | What may help |
|---|---|
| “Just get some sleep” | Ask someone to take over a feed if appropriate, or look after the baby while you rest. |
| “It’s all hormones” | Tell your clinician how you feel during and between episodes. |
| “Everyone else manages” | Name one thing someone close to you could help with today. |
Feeling scared does not make you weak. You can ask for help before you know what caused the episode.
What can you notice in past experiences?
Nav in Alexander Zharkov’s approach is past experience, learned rules and family patterns. The institute uses “breached boundaries” and “taking on others’ stress” as metaphors for other people’s worries and expectations taking up your attention. These images can help start a conversation about boundaries.
- What happened the day before: a hard night, a conversation about the baby or an unplanned visit?
- What am I finding hard to let myself do: reply later, cancel a visit or ask someone to take over?
- What rule comes to mind when I think about asking for help?
What can you do during a familiar attack?
If this is a familiar episode and you have agreed a plan with your clinician, follow it. If you are holding your baby, first hand them to another adult or put them on their back in a safe cot. If it feels comfortable, try this brief grounding exercise from the Zhiva practice.
- Sit on a sturdy chair with back support and put both feet on the floor.
- Rest your hands on your thighs. Breathe at a comfortable pace, without forcing or holding your breath.
- Look at one object nearby and silently name its colour.
Stop if it feels uncomfortable. Call for help immediately if you notice warning signs.
How can you feel steadier in daily life?
Prav in the institute’s framework is the direction you choose next. The institute uses “energy sovereignty” for the ability to keep personal boundaries and take on what you can manage. After childbirth, that might mean arranging help for a specific time.
- Agree who can look after the baby while you attend an appointment or rest.
- Write down whom to call if an episode returns. Ask your clinician which signs need urgent care.
- Choose one boundary for the week, such as arranging visits in advance.
The institute offers a six-stage 40-day programme for exploring habits and family patterns. You can consider it once the healthcare you need is in place.
How can healthcare and the Zhiva approach fit together?
| Support | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Postpartum care and psychotherapy | A clinician assesses symptoms and decides whether tests or treatment are needed. For recurring attacks, you can discuss talking therapy, including cognitive behavioural therapy. |
| The institute’s personal consultation | One everyday situation, such as finding it hard to ask someone to take over. The conversation helps you put the request into words and choose a next step. |
Elizaveta on support before birth
Elizaveta speaks to the camera in a red jumper. In her ninth month of pregnancy, she had many questions about the upcoming birth. She says Alexander replied at a distance and that the support gave her strength. The account was recorded before she gave birth.
Elizaveta, wearing a red sweater, shares her video account of personal support during pregnancy.
Questions about panic attacks after childbirth
Can panic attacks start a few weeks after giving birth?
Yes, anxiety can first appear weeks or months after birth. Contact a clinician after a first attack and say how long it has been since your baby was born.
What if a racing heart wakes me at night?
Call emergency services for chest pain, sudden breathlessness or fainting. If the episode is familiar, follow your clinician’s plan. Afterwards, you can write down the time and what you felt first.
What tests should I ask for if I do not know what is happening?
There is no standard list for everyone. Start by talking to your maternity team or primary care clinician. Depending on your symptoms and birth history, they may request a full blood count, thyroid tests or other checks.
How does a personal consultation with Alexander Zharkov work?
It is an individual exchange of messages about one everyday situation, such as asking for help at night. It costs €30. Continuing with a programme is optional.
How can you start a personal consultation?
Once you have discussed your symptoms with a clinician, choose one recurring situation from daily life. Quantum Diagnostics is a text consultation with Alexander Zharkov. Nav is past experience, Yav is what is happening now, and Prav is a decision you can try.
Alexander Zharkov is the founder of the institute and leads the personal consultation.
Individual text consultation · €30. Continuing with a programme is optional.
How the personal consultation works