Antenatal depression/anxiety support

[Eamhair]

6 months ago,I fell pregnant and suffered from extreme anxiety and depression during it which led to me having an abortion in September. The abortion hit me a few months later and I had close to what was a breakdown and bitter regret.

I have just found out today I am pregnant and I am delighted and feel I have been given a 2nd chance. I am recieving support from my counsellor and have much better tools to help me to cope. However I can still feel old anxieties creeping in and have been tearful today.

I longed for this baby and do desperately want to keep it but I am scared my anxiety will take hold again and make me do something I regret. I am worried about how I will cope being a mum and the change to my life even though this is what I want and when I wasn't pregnant, I was torn up with the worry I couldn't have kids.

I'd appreciate any stories of anyone that suffered this in pregnancy and how you got through it. Anything just to reassure me it will pass.

Hi.
I’m so sorry about what’s happened to you, mental health is nasty and it’s completely out of your control how it makes you feel but you can regain that control.

I didn’t have an abortion but in January 2020 I fell pregnant and was severely out of control with my mental health, unfortunately I lost the baby and I am well aware that my mental health is one of the possible causes.

I fell pregnant again in March and also felt I had been given a second chance.
I was on anti depressants and was worried about the effect on my baby so stopped them and I managed. My anxiety was awful but the thing that helped most was being completely open with all midwives, doctors, family and friends.
I also made a wrap plan.
www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/our-campaigns/person-centred-framework/recovery-toolbox/wellness-recovery-action-plan-wrap/
I shared that with everyone.
I made things clear to healthcare providers like when I was getting too many phone calls I said its making me feel really overwhelmed and they gave me less calls. I told them I struggle coming to my appointments on my own and they allowed my mum or partner in a couple of times.
I told them that I struggle on the ward because of anxiety and they made sure I had a side room.
I told them that I was feeling very low and suicidal at one point and they helped me through all the way.
If your on meds, stay on them, if your struggling and they offer you meds, go on them if you feel you might need them, catch it before it gets worse. It’s not worth the risk not having them because I did hit a very low point in the pregnancy and once I started them I did a lot better.
Just remind yourself constantly you have got this and you will get through.
Buy yourself some colouring books if that’s your thing and try yoga as it teaches you to breathe through things, they really helped me.

Just remember you are so strong for getting this far and you can make it all the way. There is nothing wrong with having a baby with mental health problems. I have a 4 year old and she’s helped my anxiety heaps ! I had my baby boy 10 days ago and I made it and so can you ! You can do this ! I’m sending all my love ❤️

Hi ShannLD,
I'm currently suffering from anxiety which has stopped me from sleeping and I feel low most days, even when I feel my baby's heartbeat. I'm 4 months pregnant and this has been happening from I was 9 weeks. I feel like I need the antidepressants because naturally I'm a worrier, but I had a very bad experience on sertraline 50mg after taking only 1 pill which makes me feel even more scared, and I still hardly sleep. I've seen a therapist who says eventually, ill have to go on citalopram. I don't kno what to do and I just feel defeated at times, honestly :-(

I have just been searching the Internet for stories like this I got a positive pregnancy test result on Thursday and I was so happy with the news until last night when it completely hit me that im pregnant and I had a bit of a panick attack the pregnancy was planned and my husband and I had been trying for 4 months two weeks ago I was 3 days late did a test on day 3 which was negative then got my period on Thursday I was feeling light headed dizzy emotional and had some more bleeding which wasn't like me so on a whim did a test and positive I am shocked because I had my period so im not sure what date implantation was. As planned as it was im now terrified of how our lives will change and that ive made a mistake as I was happy with my life before my husband was take or leave kids but went along with it now im crying alot and he keeps saying you wanted this you wanted it more than me and I feel even worse and so selfish I feel so scared I can't imagine us as a three and to be honest after 4 months didnt think it would happen ive had some more bleeding and not yet called a doctor I feel so alone mixed up confused sad and full of dresd and regret is this normal please help me im lost.

I know it's been a while since everyone has posted here but I'm 8 weeks pregnant and am also feeling an utter sense of hopelessness at times and fear. This pregnancy was planned and I was happy when I got the result but since then my mental health has dipped. I'm not sure if this is due to hormones and the fact I'm sick and nauseous all the time but from what I've read this is quite common especially in the first trimester. Am finding it quite a lonely experience. How is everyone doing now?

Hey I just wanted to say I’m also in the same boat...in November I had a termination despite wanting the baby, the idea of pregnancy and What could go wrong and my severe health anxiety led me to terminate...I had a breakdown afterwards and regretted it so much....recently found out I’m pregnant again and desperately hoping it’s a second chance but feel like I deserve to miscarry and sometimes I feel that this would help me as it would be karma....in the same breath if the pregnancy continues I’m also very anxious about it....still suffering from the termination so finding it hard to even think about this pregnancy. X