1st Trimester Anxiety

111emd · December 2013

I am experiencing SO much anxiety since finding out I am expecting. My brain is racing constantly, everything from how we're going to tell my in laws to praying this pregnancy goes to term and thinking everything I do could harm our baby. I start my new job in January and I own a small business on the side that is really picking up so I am always on the GO. I know I need to take it easy, but I just can't seem to shut my brain off long enough to relax.

I am normally a pretty anxious person and at one point I did medicate for this issue (though I went off of it 2 years ago when we started TTC). I know I cannot take anti anxiety meds while pregnant, so what are some ways I can calm down naturally?

FYI- I would usually enjoy some herbal tea (which I am told I can no longer have?) and I drink almost no caffeine- one 6 ounce cup of half caff a day. My dh is very supportive but doesn't really get it. He just tells me how unhealthy that is and that I should take it easy.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Smallllmin · December 2013

Do you exercise? I have similar issues, and yoga really helps.

dragonfly711 · December 2013

Exercise might help. Have you talked to your Dr about your anxiety? If it gets too bad there might be something safe you can take.

I have depression and have been off meds for over a year while ttc. I know there are some depression meds that I can take but so far I have not needed them. Even with my Mmc back in Feb I have been ok.

You should talk to your Dr.

111emd · December 2013

Smallllmin said:

Do you exercise? I have similar issues, and yoga really helps.

I was exercising pretty regularly but I've been SO exhausted the last few weeks. I need to remind myself to get out there. I didn't know you could do Yoga while pregnant, but I will look into that ASAP! Might be a good way to meet other expectant moms too?

Thank You!

111emd · December 2013

dragonfly711 said:

Exercise might help. Have you talked to your Dr about your anxiety? If it gets too bad there might be something safe you can take. I have depression and have been off meds for over a year while ttc. I know there are some depression meds that I can take but so far I have not needed them. Even with my Mmc back in Feb I have been ok. You should talk to your Dr.

My Dr and I talked about it a lot while dh and I were ttc, her advice was to see a shrink (which I have been for years). I do a lot of positive affirmations and redirecting, but for some reason it just has not been working. It's bizarre because some times I feel completely calm and then I will feel a tiny cramp and worry myself sick.

dragonfly711 said:

Exercise might help. Have you talked to your Dr about your anxiety? If it gets too bad there might be something safe you can take. I have depression and have been off meds for over a year while ttc. I know there are some depression meds that I can take but so far I have not needed them. Even with my Mmc back in Feb I have been ok. You should talk to your Dr.

foreverapartofme · December 2013

Try prenatal yoga. It is good for your body and calming! Also, talk to your doctor about it... you never know, he/she may have some good ideas for you as well.

dragonfly711 · December 2013

111emd said:

dragonfly711 said:

Exercise might help. Have you talked to your Dr about your anxiety? If it gets too bad there might be something safe you can take. I have depression and have been off meds for over a year while ttc. I know there are some depression meds that I can take but so far I have not needed them. Even with my Mmc back in Feb I have been ok. You should talk to your Dr.

My Dr and I talked about it a lot while dh and I were ttc, her advice was to see a shrink (which I have been for years). I do a lot of positive affirmations and redirecting, but for some reason it just has not been working. It's bizarre because some times I feel completely calm and then I will feel a tiny cramp and worry myself sick.

dragonfly711 said:

Exercise might help. Have you talked to your Dr about your anxiety? If it gets too bad there might be something safe you can take. I have depression and have been off meds for over a year while ttc. I know there are some depression meds that I can take but so far I have not needed them. Even with my Mmc back in Feb I have been ok. You should talk to your Dr.

@111emd

Oh man, I am sorry I was going to say to see a therapist too. I was seeing one with my depression and it did help. Maybe yoga would help or acupuncture? I have not had any experience with acupuncture but maybe?

ks3pink · December 2013

Zoloft is safe to take during pregnancy and while BF. I took 100 mg a day every day of my pregnancy with my twins.

toribrite · December 2013

Zoloft is class C pregnancy risk which means uncertain safety. Many women are on class C meds during pregnancy but you should check with your doctor first.

kerbear135 · December 2013

you can have some herbal tea...it just depends on what herbs are in it..if you have a particular brand/flavor you find soothing, take it to your next appt and let your Dr read the ingredients and tell you if it's safe

Kristinmo · December 2013

ks3pink said:

Zoloft is safe to take during pregnancy and while BF. I took 100 mg a day every day of my pregnancy with my twins.

This. I took Zoloft during both of my pregnancies.

111emd · December 2013

Nicb13 said:

OP it sounds like you are pretty unsure of what you can and can't do/drink/take while pregnant so maybe you should talk with your doctor about some of these things or read a book and maybe that would help. Knowing some of that might ease your mind.
When the exhaustion wore off after the first month or so of my pregnancy, I started exercising 4 or 5 days a week and it helped tremendously. I felt so much better.
Good luck to you.

Yeah, pretty much! I don't have much close family and unfortunately at this point most of my info is coming from google searches. I quit drinking chicory root because I read an article saying it could cause a MC. Then I talked to friend who said that was bogus- I feel overwhelmed by all the information and misinformation out there. Your suggestion to read up on early pregnancy is a great idea. I worked out today (even though I was feeling absolutely exhausted) and it did help a bit. Thank you for your advice, just ordered some books from Amazon now!

111emd · December 2013

Kristinmo said:

ks3pink said:

Zoloft is safe to take during pregnancy and while BF. I took 100 mg a day every day of my pregnancy with my twins.

This. I took Zoloft during both of my pregnancies.

Definitely did not know this, Thank you! I was on Ativan before TTC and the doctor took me off it and strangely enough did not recommend anything else! I will ask my OB about this on Friday.