Anxiety in Pregnancy

[sarahl]

Hi everyone,

I'm currently 22 weeks pregnant, and everything is going swimmingly. My anxiety (which I've had my whole life) has been under control and even after a number of life altering changes (moving interstate for one!) I've managed to keep everything in check, however, in the past 2 months I've started having panic attacks. The first few have been on aeroplanes, the most recent just this morning at home.

I don't get chest pain - more that I'm hot, dizzy, shaky and want to vomit. My guess is this is triggered by the fact that my husband is leaving tomorrow for 6 months for his job. I thought I was doing really well coping with this but I'm thinking perhaps my subconscious has other ideas.

I'm doing the breathing through it, distracting myself etc etc, and hoping that once the stress of tomorrow eases, it will return to normal, but the thought that I am hurting the baby is starting to stress me out more!!

Can anyone else share their experiences of anxiety in pregnancy and how they coped with it?

Many thanks

xxx

[Blue_Jane]

Hi Sarah

Thanks for sharing. Congratulations on your pregnancy and you are over half way - so exciting.

It is great that in the past you have been able to manage your anxiety. I wouldn't give up on your tried and true methods, as it sounds like things are rightly heightened at the moment.

Regarding your husbands job, how will you keep in contact? Maybe if you set up some structure about contact it will make you feel a bit more relaxed about things?

I too am pregnant, 13 weeks. I had my first panic attack in over 16 months two Fridays ago. I was so worried about hurting the baby but I am trying to tell myself that the baby is protected by the 'sac' and that people go through more stressful and physical things than a panic attack. And they go on to have healthy babies.

I am sure we are both fine but I have found being pregnant has brought out a vulnerability in me that I haven't had since the depths of my anxiety.

So when I had my panic attack two Fridays ago I did my breathing exercises, got out of the office into the fresh air and bought some yummy lunch as a treat. I was fine after 10 mins or so but it was scary.

Blue Jane

[sarahl]

Congratulations on your baby too!!

I'm now at 25 weeks, husband been gone 3 weeks and think I am going ok. Feel like anxiety is heightened this morning (my parents are visiting from out of town and I think just having too many people in my house is driving me crazy, plus I can't access all the areas of my house I usually would and they just don't do things the way I do things!) but so far so good.

The comms is not as good as I had hoped - the time difference also doesn't help, but my latest pickle is I am suffering crazy indigestion and when it starts to become uncomfortable and hard to breathe, I'm not sure if it's anxiety kicking in, or heartburn haha. Bit of a self fulfilling prophecy!

Had a skype session with my psychologist last week, and made more appointments for the coming month, and also spoke to the obgyn about how the panic attacks can affect the baby, so I am feeling much calmer.

Thank you for your reply - hope your pregnancy is going along nicely too

xx

[Blue_Jane]

Hi Sarah

That's great about the pregnancy still going well. What did your OB say about your panic attacks?

I find that when anyone stays with us my anxiety is heightened...you want them to have a comfortable and nice stay but it takes work...on top of everything else. But also I am sure it is nice to have the company.

Ha ha yes I have heard that indigestion becomes an issue as the pregnancy goes on. Your poor thing, maybe it is a mixture of both.

I am sure that you and your husband will settle into a rhythm of comms, it is early on and you guys are still working out the best time.

All is good with me, now at 16 weeks and feel like work is more manageable so not as stressed. Saying that I am working long hours but at least now I feel more confident in what I need to deliver.

Blue Jane