Anxiety attacks in pregnancy

[Marchmummy]

i used to get pannick/anxeity attacks a few years ago and it was scary but i have been fine since. yesterday i was in town and i had a very upset stomach and kept having to go to the loo. all of a sudden i couldnt help panicking and started getting all the symptons i used to get when i had the attacks like stomach cramps and rushing to the loo. it was really scary and the more i worried the worse it got. i was so scared that it might be hurting baby and instead of just being able to relax and take deep breaths i started worrying what if this happens throughout the rest of my pregnancy? will it hurt my baby? i have been fine for the last 17 weeks and have been doing everything 100% right, eating well and getting lots of rest. The panicking came out of the blue because if i thought i wasnt emotionally stable enough to carry a child we wouldnt have started trying yet. i have been fine apart from this blip though. i just hope i continue to be ok as i woudl hate to think what it is doing to my little one when my body gets into that state. does anyone have any advice? if i talk to my midwife she may just think im a drama queen. i feel really silly and guilty that this happened. Lauren xx

 

[Jaidy]

Hi Lauren,

I have suffered from panic attacks since I was 13 and had been on medication to control it prior to becoming pregnant as I get them quite severely. I came off the medication at 3 months pregnant and since then my panic attacks have returned and I have been signed off sick for the rest of my pregnancy because I was having them frequently at work.

I was also worried about the effect the panics would have on my baby, and my GP has said that I was to remove as much stress as possible to help me stay calm (also a reason to sign me off sick.) I do feel better not being at work, but have other stresses in my life at the moment such as housing issues so its a catch 22 situation!

I really would try not to worry too much, many people have said to me that babies are tough little things and so long as you try to chill out and relax whenever you can and try not to get worked up about things then your doing all you can. Babies are born healthy under a lot more stressful situations in the world im sure!! Thats what I try and tell myself any how. When I do have a panic attack now or get highly stressed I just try to make a conscious effort to try and take it easy.

If you are worried go and see your GP, they will totally understand. If you need to chat anytime, feel free to PM me as I am in the same boat hun.

Hope you feel better soon

 

[Marchmummy]

thanks so much for your reply jaidybaby. it was very reassuring to read. its nice to know im not on my own. ive just been feeling so guilty that i might have hurt the baby and worried it may happen again etc etc. if i didnt have baby to think about i woudlnt worry about myself in that way as teh pannicking is all self inflicted. might try to gp, see what they suggest, worth a try. Thanks again. xx

 

[Jaidy]

No problem hun, anytime you wanna talk about it il be here

 

[jocymum]

Lauren
I had panic attacks, which stopped about 2yrs ago. It is so hard to explain to people who haven't had them just how scary they are.
I have felt a bit panicky since I got pregnant, but touch wood haven't had a full on attack.
I do think that once you've had them -then any feeling like them make you think you are back there again ( I think that makes sense )
Anyone would have felt stressed and anxious by the situation you were in and because you're pregnant it's all magnified by the normal worries. I would try to put it down as a 'one-off' and not focus on it happening again, easier said than done I know
Don't feel guilty hun, you won't hurt the baby they are pretty resilient by this stage