Severe Anxiety - Shirley,NY

At this point, you're worrying about worrying. It's a viscious cycle and it's only made worse by the fact that you're pregnant and probably have heard all kinds of horror stories, etc. Relax, take a deep breath or many (if you can still, the space gets limited in there after awhile), drink some water. I had a similiar situation that inclded some braxton hicks contractions at 20 weeks and it's scary. But you need to remember that you're in control of how you feel and you CAN calm yourself down. Seperate yourself from whatever is causing the stress long enough to relax and then come back to it only if you really have to.

Anxiety and panic attacks can strike just about anyone, but they are most common among people facing or following major life changes. They can also accompany chemical changes in brain or body (and boy, doesn't that describe pregnancy perfectly?)

It is a dreadful feeling, and I've been there. The episodes do eventually pass, and they can actually be a signal that you would do well to learn different ways of thinking about things. This is a process of growing up, and I can tell you, at age 62, that this process ideally never stops.

If you are having trouble dealing with the feelings on your own, talk to your doctor. Counseling might be extremely beneficial, too, if you can afford it. My best to you.

Do you have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at your work or your spouse’s place of employment? Someone to talk to? They can truly help. I also recommend talking to your OBGYN and seeing if they have any advice for you.

I am 33 year mother of three and over time I've realized that I can't control every aspect of life, motherhood, work, home, family, friends. etc.. I do my best and have faith in God. The more I have weathered various storms, the stronger I have become and more confident that things will be ok and most of the time they are. 90% of our worries don't ever come true.

This is a very exciting time, you should let go of that argument and try to enjoy your pregnancy. You will never get this time back trust me it goes so fast.

Good Luck

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.

Yes..I am actually experience those feelings now. (Teenage son and I just got into it).

When I was pregnant with him, I had a tough pregnancy mentally. I was always on edge and stressed out. My emotions and feelings contributed to his personality, at least I think they did. He is high strung and argumentative (ADD/ADHD/ODD.) My life was less stressful the other three pregnancies.

Just remember, everything you pit into your body molds your child. That goes for emotions too.

Maybe apologizing to the person you got into it with will calm your spirit and heal your heart. I'm not going to preach to you about forgiveness because I am still working on it myself, but I will let you know that strife will eat away at the core of your being and cause medical problems.

Nanc

Your pregnancy hormones may be playing into your heightened sense of anxiety. Or you could just be very stressed from your conversation. A couple of things I do to help me when I am feeling stressed and out of sorts is:

1) Meditate for at least 3 minutes. You can do that by sitting or laying down in a comfortable position, inhaling and exhaling deeply for the count of 8, and maybe saying something over and over in your mind like, "All is well," or my personal favorite, "I let go of all that I no longer need."

2) Close your eyes and visualize a hot air balloon. One by one, name each issue that is troubling you and imagine putting that trouble into the basket of the hot air balloon. When the basket is all filled up, imagine the hot air balloon floating away up into the sky, up to God who will handle them from there.

I am not a particularly religious person -- consider myself more spiritual than anything -- but this visualization technique really helped me deal with some anxiety issues in high school when I was having difficulties with girl friends and things at home were not so great.

Hope you feel better soon.

Hi K.
Sorry you are having trouble at this time in your pregnancy.
First, call your OB and tell him what is happening.
Next, if it happens continually that is different than on and off. So if this is the case before you can see the OB take some deep breaths and relax. Tell yourself it is going to be OK. Like warding off anything realizing that you are going for help may just help.
Last, but not least prayer is the ultimate relaxer so "turn your eyes to God" the creator of the universe and your child as well.
God bless you and give you His peace

You need to speak to your medical doctor. They can help . Having a child is a wonderful time but hormone changes may be adding to your anxiety. Talk things over with friends, have a good cry. Dont go this alone.

I am curious to know what the individual said to you that caused you to get upset. We all get anxious, especially when pregnant. Is what this person said scaring you about your pregnancy? Remember there are so many right things that can happen if that is what it is that whatever scarey thing it was is probably ridiculous. If there is something else, open up about it. That will probably relieve your anxiety.

Call a friend or get counseling and let your OB know! I know exactly what you are going through. It is hard (sometimes impossible) to turn off the brain when it gets going but it is possible. Congratulations on the baby and try to enjoy! Children are such a blessing (and work but well worth it!)

You are not alone. Many women panic or are over-emotional when they are pregnant. Especially with your first. It is mostly from the extreme hormone fluctuations and you are going through some extreme changes that you've never had to deal with before. The best thing to do is to realize what it is than try to cope. When I was pregnant, I would think about the beautiful life growing inside me and the new baby coming into my life. No matter how bad the stress got, I would meditate on that and the panic would turn into an excited feeling and I would hold on to that. Trust in the Lord. He would not put this baby in your life if it wasn't right. Everything will work out.
Hope this helps and congratulations!

You're not alone. I had these not too long ago. I had rapid heartrate, dizziness, and once felt like I needed to call 911. I was so scared I was having a heart attack. I'm sure these are anxiety attacks/panic attacks. I'm so sorry you're going thru these b/c they're scary. I was at the time so stressed about trying to have a baby and lots of issues I was finding out in trying. I recommend getting safe (pregnancy) massage and anything else to help you relax. Pray and be sure to talk to people. Thinking of you...best of luck to you.

What types of things are you worrying about? Things related to the pregnancy and your baby or all sorts of things not necessarily pregnancy related?

I do want to add, the other poster is correct about happy pregnancy = happy child. Having said that ALL of my pregnancies have been stressful because of things going on with other people, work, parents, etc. I made sure I got in at least one session in my last trimester with a holistic instructor. I ended up having c-sections and with the very first one, my doctor said he had never seen someone heal from one as quickly as I did.

I am having my 4th now and was in a different state for my first two vs. the last two children. My doctor now even said that when he delivered my third son, he couldn't get over how minimal my scar tissue is. Wish the stretch marks were as minimal. LOL Seriously, he said I could have gone on to have another baby if I wanted because of how well I healed from the others. (We are stopping here though FYI.)

My boys are all happy boys, they get along for the most part, listen for the most part...I honestly believe that those sessions helped to rebalance things and I certainly felt better/calmer after them. I went more often with my first and wish I could have done it with the last three as my oldest is my calmest but these classes aren't free nor are they covered under insurance plans unfortunately. DEFINITELY worth doing at least once though. :)