Panic attack when pregnant, really worried.

[Shahlalala]

I thought I was having a heart attack last night. I felt sick out of nowhere, my heart was racing and palpitating, then I started shaking and couldn’t breath. Never had this before so DH called 111 who sent an ambulance, I feel awful about this because I didn’t know it was a panic attack. My oxygen was too high and my heart rate was over 130, they stayed and calmed me until it lowered and checked my heart was ok. (I genuinely feel dreadful I used up NHS resources, I didn’t know what was happening but couldn’t breath.)

I’m now really scared. I wasn’t worried or panicked, I was sat watching a film with DH. Totally calm day, nothing out of the ordinary.

What do I do if it happens again? How do I stop it escalating to what happened last night? It was terrifying.

They said baby would be fine, but I am so worried I harmed him, he was kicking like crazy once they calmed me down. It must have been horrible for him too.

I’m so upset this morning. I feel unwell, headache and ache all over. DH has taken 4 yo DD to her first proper gymnastics session, I’m so sad to miss it, she was so excited when she left.

I feel like an utter failure.

Don’t feel bad- calling an ambulance with those symptoms is a normal thing to do if you don’t know what the symptoms mean. If it is any comfort I had panic attacks in my pregnancy and now have a very healthy teen!
You are certainly not a failure and hope your daughter have a lovely time.

Can you call and speak to your midwife? They are there for reassurance too. Hope you feel better soon x

I remember I had a very strange case of palpitations when I was on my second trimester with DS. Never found out what caused it. I was just getting ready to go to work, nothing out of the ordinary and suddenly my heart rate skyrocketed. It was so strange! I was alone at home so we r straight to a&e where they couldn't find anything wrong. They put it down to a 'weird pregnancy thing'. The body does strange things some times! It never happened again and we never found out what had happened... baby was fine. Please try not to worry too much!

If it feels like it's going to happen again, really concentrate on your breathing and try to focus on something that will distract you, literally anything like trying to remember the names of everybody in your favourite film.

Don't feel bad about he ambulance, I had my first panic attack in school that literally came out of nowhere and I honestly felt like I was dying! Suddenly not being able to breathe is pretty scary so don't worry

Speak to a midwife or gp if you're worried they'll always be happy to help

Probably hormonal. I get panic attacks sometimes right before my period and have had a couple while pregnant (I'm 15w). The worst thing you can do is worry about them as you may trigger one! If you feel one starting (and mine usually come out of the blue when I'm relaxing at home), try some breathing techniques, listen to relaxing music/read a relaxing book, tell someone you feel it coming - your partner or I've rung my mum before, just so that if it does hit they know what's happening and can reassure you. It is horrible and I hope you don't get it again.

Hey OP
Do not worry about calling ambulance. I have suffered with anxiety long before I was pregnant and in some ways it’s worsened since being pregnant, but in other ways it’s calmed down. I’m under the care of the perinatal team and they have been massively reassuring.
Could you perhaps go out for a swim or a walk this morning? Or even just put your feet up? Don’t be too hard on yourself, panic attacks are so horrible. I’ve spent hours in bed afterwards because they often exhaust me x

If you feel one coming on then just breathe in for 4 slow counts and out for 5. Just sit for a while and do that and it stops you feeling like you cant breathe and the hyperventilating.

Then remind yourself that it is an old survival instinct gone a bit haywire, and that you are actually not in any danger. When we were cavemen, this would be very useful if a sabre toothed tiger was coming, but actually now it's not a useful response. Look around you, remind yourself that you are safe and try to ground yourself with your environment. Look at the weather, or the plants outside. Bring yourself into the present moment.

It's probably just hormones and reminding yourself that it is irrational should help settle it down.

Hi OP. I once had a period at work where I was massively stressed, was having panic attacks everyday and was put on Propanolol and signed off sick. I told the GP 'I feel really sick before going to work, and my periods have stopped withthe stress.' He asked me if I was pregnant and I dismissed it. Of course 7 weeks later my friend made me buy a pregnancy test and I had just been pregnant the whole time!!! DD1 is 7 and perfectly healthy. Then with DD2 I was having awful episodes of palpitations and was under the cardiologists and had to go off at 32 weeks as I couldn't walk across a room without a near fainting episode. DD2 is also perfectly healthy. Babies are resilient OP. Try not to worry. (Easier said than done I know.)

Storm that’s actually really helpful advice.
Textures soothe me, so I will hold on to a pillow and feel my fingers scratching against the fabric pulls me back round to normality.

The Calm App is also very good!

Thanks everyone.

I’ve done nothing this morning to be honest, I’m still in bed listening to the radio while DD and DH are out.

I’m sorry so many have had this while pregnant, but I have to admit I’m relieved it’s not just me.

We moved house recently and I’m seeing my midwife on Thursday here for the first time. I have my registration appointment with the new Drs on Monday too, so will talk to them too.

It just doesn’t make sense to me. We relocated and sold our house, all so stressful but now we’re here and settled and have family close this happens. I just don’t understand.

I felt a bit panicky when DH and DD went out so tried breathing techniques I found online and I feel pretty calm now.

Baby is kicking away so I imagine he is alright. Also a bit worried about DD as she was woken in the night by it all and was asking if me and the baby are ok this morning. Luckily she’s being distracted by gym.

It’s actually a relief to have had an ECG though, at least I know it’s not actually a heart issue.

@NorthernRunner - why thank you. takes a bow. I have been dealing with panic attacks on and off for 15 years, so feel I am well practiced.