Anxiety disorder and pregnant

wpasm · July 2015

Hello friends, I have anxiety disorder, and am happily 5 weeks pregnant. Between the hormones and lack of medication, I am struggling to keep it together. I do pretty well all day while I am busy at work, but am overcome with tension and worry most evenings. I have been meditating and my husband is wonderful about helping me breathe through it. I was wondering if anyone has similar experiences or advice. Thanks!

BCH818 · July 2015

During my first pregnancy my anxiety really leveled out and I felt great. It didn't really creep up until after I started weaning my daughter from nursing around 17 months. Now that' I'm pregnant again I'm actually feeling anxious. My hormones are crazy this time. I am trying to drink lots of water, think positive thoughts, and exercise to keep it at bay.

cassie1391 · July 2015

I have anxiety really bad and OCD, I struggle too! I'm going completely med free . I'm thinking about trying meditation and yoga to help relax me, but will talk about it more to my doctor at my first appt

cnunes214 · July 2015

I love that this topic is being addressed! I too suffer from anxiety. Some days I'm fine,other days, look out! I stopped taking my Lexapro months ago, under a doctor's supervision, of course, to make sure my body was free of any medicines before getting pregnant. I am six weeks along and doing great, knock on wood, but lately, I'm worrying about silly things and stressing at work. I'm just continuing to try and rid my negative thoughts and stay away from people and situations that stress me out. I hope you ladies continue coping well also! Good luck and stay positive....I know I'm trying!

SoonToBeMamaP · July 2015

Definitely try prenatal yoga! That helped me through my first two med-free pregnancies!

wpasm · July 2015

Ladies, it's nice to know that there are others out there struggling with the same things. Let's keep each other informed about what we worry about and techniques that help reduce worry. I downloaded the headspace app. It is 10 minute guided meditations in a British accent:)

Rox2012 · July 2015

I suffer from anxiety as well. I took meds as needed so thankfully no withdraw symptoms. Finding time to myself helps me cope. Which can be difficult with a toddler running around. Also being outdoors helps.

JLaVO888 · July 2015

When I start to get extremely anxious I have to think about how bad it can be for the baby and this seams to be the only thing that makes me stop all the crazy in my brain. I try to take a few deep breaths and think about 5 specific ways that I KNOW DH and I will be good parents. This shifts my brain from the negative to the positive and then I get caught up in all the amazing, great emotions.

Edited cuz words are hard.

JLaVO888 · July 2015

Just ran across this as well. https://www.thebump.com/a/top-pregnancy-fears

jessnoel89 · July 2015

So glad I'm not alone! Any advice would be great! I like the idea of prenatal yoga. I'll be looking into that for sure!

TDoh · July 2015

I also struggle with anxiety. I stopped taking escitalopram (generic for Lexapro) a little over 2 weeks ago (when I got my BFP). It's been going okay so far. I've had the sinking feeling slip back in a couple of times since then. I'm hoping it will taper off and not get worse. DH just left on a work trip, which doesn't help. I'm glad to know I'm not alone!

ACleanLife24 · July 2015

I saw your post yesterday but something was wrong with the bump on my end and I couldn't post... so

1) You are not alone... 20% of adults in the US experience anxiety disorder issues within any given year

2) The fact that you recognise its anxiety gives you a huge weapon in treating it

I went off Paxil and Amitriptyline when I got my BFP. It was an interesting first couple of weeks but the moods have seemed to stabilize, I am sleeping without wild and crazy dreams (although getting up every hour to pee still) and I didn't do too much damage on amazon prime.

Forming better habits with yoga, mindfullness and meditation will go a long way. If you aren't willing to plunk down a bunch of money I really suggested trying out some apps at home. I have done yoga for a long time so I am comfortable doing app led 10-30min classes at home. I will be attending a prenatal yoga class once I am into my second and third trimesters. I also really suggest Headspace for mindfulness and journalling. Journalling doesn't have to look like anything. When I have nothing to write I collect quotes/picutes from pinterest, print them out and glue them in to see later.

I have two big go to things when a full on panic attack and long lasting anxiety attack happens.

1) Tell someone! For me its DH or my BFF and it can even be by text. It just acknowledges that there is an issue and sometimes saying out loud to someone else validates it, mitigates it and mostly unburdens you from carrying it alone. DH and I have a joke and he asks me "Are you worrying about the global bee colony collapse again?" when he sees me zoning out. Because really most of the things that set me off are not that big.. bee colony collapse could be the end of humanity.

2)Find your happy place. For me this is a quiet place where I can take a few minutes to myself in a comfortable position (right now I like lying down on my back with my knees up). Just some deep breathing, maybe a glass of water and a cup of tea and I start making a mental constructive to do list of tasks to keep be busy for the next hour.

Other boards have had a check in before so I may add this to the health and wellness monday so others can give/ask for support.

Orion815 · July 2015

You are not alone! I had very bad anxiety for many, many years, and while I have learned how to stabilize it with yoga, breathing, exercise, and diet, I do find it creeping in now that I am worried and anxious about being pregnant with my first baby. Honestly, I think all the ladies who answered before me have great advice, and I totally agree with the yoga and breathing. I do it at night right before I go to sleep and it helps a ton. Take 10 minutes out of your day just to breath and clear your mind. It takes some practice, but it really will change everything. Congrats on your pregnancy! Let's enjoy the ride!

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