Anxiety

Saraevh

Anyone have bad anxiety while pregnant?  

I am an anxious person by nature - always have been, always will be, but I feel waaaaaay more anxious now that I'm pregnant again than I remember being with my other two.  I was anxious with my daughter, but not really until a bit later on when we started having complications that thankfully turned out fine in the end.  Then with my son I wasn't too bad until post partum when I would have panic attacks from time to time when thinking about something happening to the kids (ie while driving, etc).  That all pretty much went away after I stopped breastfeeding.    

This time I feel like I have at least one panic attack a day.  I get all worked up convincing myself something is going to go wrong and then my chest gets tight and I feel like I'm gasping for breath, I feel dizzy and I have a hard time getting myself out of it.  It's horrible, and like I said, WAY worse than ever before.  

I don't know if it's just hormones or what but I am seriously going crazy.  I'm not open to going on medication (not judging anyone who has taken meds while pregnant I just personally don't want to go this route).  My husband keeps telling me I should look into things like meditation, getting back into a light exercise routine, etc.   I know he's right, but does anyone have any other ideas or things you did that helped you?  I'm usually pretty busy during the day doing stuff with the kids but it's like the second I have down time my mind starts racing.     

kaf7

Is there a reproductive mental health program in your city? I would contact them. Even counselling without meds may help but what you're going through sounds significant enough to seek help. GL.

oooCarrieB

I had bad anxiety during my last pregnancy, probably bc my boss was a horrible person and cut my salary by 10 percent when I was 26 weeks. Needless to say I got a new job after mat leave.

I survived w weekly yoga, daily meditations, weekly treadmill time and acu. I have a great book on meditation that is really easy to do if you want to borrow it.

Good luck! I know it sucks a lot.

itsmevkb

I've never had an actual anxiety attack so not sure I can be of much help but I did have significant worry during my pregnancies, except perhaps during my first.  The only thing that sorta worked for me was just consciously telling myself to stop worrying, that the worry was only exhausting me and that no amount of worry would change the outcome of my pregnancy.  That, and using the doppler daily helped me.

boxtonmom1014

I had really terrible anxiety with my first pregnancy. I had a WONDERFUL OB who let me come in weekly for hb checks. I also saw a therapist who had a lot of experience in the IF field. (I miss her....) But I also went on meds- it was the only thing that could really keep my panic under control. (I was a mess.) I saw a specialist who worked solely with pregnant and post partum women which helped me to feel really comfortable with the decisions we made.

Maybe ask your IF clinic if they have recommendations for a therapist? I haven't found one around here who has lots of IF experience. (I'm 2 and 0 since we moved. )

TJ1979

My first thought was acu. I haven't done it myself but have some friends who have done it with IF and pg and they have nothing but good things to say.
Huge hugs hon. I'm sorry you're dealing with this.

Whales124

I had horrible anxiety because of all the complications. I started therapy during my IF treatments and have kept it up right along. To be honest I didn't realize how bad my anxiety really was until I came upon the IF hurdle. My therapist said my coping mechanisms were great, but I hit a wall and unfortunately it reared its ugly head. I meditated and listened to music that cheered me up too. Hope you're feeling better soon!

ELF4321

I developed PPD and panic attacks a couple of months after DD was born. If you are able to feel when it is coming on, try to cool yourself off by standing in front of an air conditioner, fan, or even just put a cold damp washcloth over your face and focus on slow deep breathing until the panic attack fades.

mnj05

I don't have much to add. DH has anxiety and when it gets bad he goes to an escape place. Fishing if he can get away otherwise he goes in the garage and builds something. He just gets away from everyone until he calms down.

I'm sorry you're going through this. Big hugs and I hope you find something that works for you!

pb_bride

I'm sorry you are going through this.  I never had panic attacks but I had major anxiety when I was pg with M.  I was a SAHW so I had all the time in the world to worry... day and night... and didn't help that Google was at my fingertips so I could look up all the complications etc.  I was in the medical field in the past and I'm AMA, so you can imagine all the worst case scenarios that conjured up in my brain.  I had insomnia throughout most of my pg - I had no trouble falling asleep but I would wake up 2a or 3a and stay awake for 2 hours while my mind raced.  

I really wish I had a magic answer for you but I don't.  I tried to keep myself occupied - daily walks, going out with friends etc.  GL! 

imoverit

Counseling really helped me with my anxiety. Hang in there mama. Hugs.

winofairy

Walking and relaxing music has always helped me.  (((HUGS)))

laura1

itsmevkb:

I've never had an actual anxiety attack so not sure I can be of much help but I did have significant worry during my pregnancies, except perhaps during my first.  The only thing that sorta worked for me was just consciously telling myself to stop worrying, that the worry was only exhausting me and that no amount of worry would change the outcome of my pregnancy.  That, and using the doppler daily helped me.

This.  I found #3 to be the worst, too.  I was worried something would happen to me and I would leave the other 2 kids and daddy alone.  I was worried something would be wrong with #3 and would take away from the time I could spend with 1 and 2.  I was just worried in general.  Like itsme, I just had to let go - there is nothing you can do about it, and I just had to keep reminding myself of that.  As time went on, it got easier.  Good luck - anxiety is awful!! 

Saraevh

Thanks for all of the responses and ideas.  

I think trying to find someone to talk to would be a good idea.  Which one is the one who just counsels and doesn't prescribe meds?  A psychologist, right?  Not a psychiatrist?  I also like the idea of keeping a journal (and then burning it later HA).  

The whole panic attack thing is fairly new to me as well but it can get pretty bad.  I was sitting in the waiting room waiting for our 6 week ultrasound and got this horrible feeling there wasn't going to be a heartbeat and all of a sudden I got flaming hot and thought I was going to pass out.  I got up, got a drink at the fountain and went and sat in the restroom for a minute and it got better, but wow.  Sometimes I feel out of control and pretty miserable.  Definitely didn't have this kind of anxiety with my other kiddos.  

I realize I need to let things go and I totally understand that what is going to be is going to be and that it's completely out of my control.  Sometimes retelling myself that helps, sometimes it doesn't.  Just depends on how deep into the crazy I am at the moment  

I'm going to give my acupuncturist a call and see if I can get in sometimes this week for a treatment.  Maybe sticking 100 needles in my head will help  

Thanks girls!!!   

kbeach82

((HUGS)) I am so sorry you are having a hard time. Acupuncture has done wonders for me (for other issues) and I have faith that you may be able to find some relief with that. I have also been seen by both psychologists/counselors and psychiatrists and have had great success in overcoming a lot of hurdles in my life with their help. Good luck and please let us know anytime you need to get anything off of your chest. Sometimes just "talking" about the things you are having anxiety over can be a huge help.

kaf7

Saraevh:

Thanks for all of the responses and ideas. nbsp;I think trying to find someone to talk to would be a good idea. nbsp;Which one is the one who just counsels and doesn't prescribe meds? nbsp;Anbsp;psychologist, right? nbsp;Not anbsp;psychiatrist?nbsp;nbsp;I also like the idea of keeping a journal and then burning it later HA. nbsp;The whole panic attack thing is fairly new to me as well but it can get pretty bad. nbsp;I was sitting in the waiting room waiting for our 6 week ultrasound and got this horrible feeling there wasn't going to be a heartbeat and all of a sudden I got flaming hot and thought I was going to pass out. nbsp;I got up, got a drink at the fountain and went and sat in the restroom for a minute and it got better, but wow. nbsp;Sometimes I feel out of control and pretty miserable. nbsp;Definitely didn't have this kind of anxiety with my other kiddos. nbsp;I realize I need to let things go and I totally understand that what is going to be is going to be and that it's completely out of my control. nbsp;Sometimes retelling myself that helps, sometimes it doesn't. nbsp;Just depends on how deep into the crazy I am at the moment ; nbsp;I'm going to give my acupuncturist a call and see if I can get in sometimes this week for a treatment. nbsp;Maybe sticking 100 needles in my head will help ; nbsp;Thanks girls!!!nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;

Your RE or OB likely have psychologists they can recommend that deal with the type of hormone induced issues PG brings. GL

boxtonmom1014

Saraevh:

I realize I need to let things go and I totally understand that what is going to be is going to be and that it's completely out of my control.  Sometimes retelling myself that helps, sometimes it doesn't.  Just depends on how deep into the crazy I am at the moment  

Easier said than done, right????? 

I'm going to give my acupuncturist a call and see if I can get in sometimes this week for a treatment.  Maybe sticking 100 needles in my head will help     

I forgot about acupuncture (even though I go weekly) and it really helps my anxiety as well. Great suggestion, ladies!