Childbirth and panic attacks

[glitternanny]

I booked in with my mw yesterday and we got onto the subject of my panic attacks, generally trigger by crowds or confined spaces or emotional distress.
She asked about my thoughts re childbirth and I said I was nervous and had looked into hypnobirthing or the other hypnothereapy thingi I forget what it's called.

My question is if anyone out there has experienc. Of suffering from pa and childbirth!

TIA

emma

No, but I'll quite happily share once I've had the baby! I have some coping strategies in place, which I've been focusing on since relatively early in the pregnancy, which I'm hoping will see me through including music, some hypnobirthing techniques and aromatherapy.

To be honest I hate all things medical, especially hospitals, and find gynae exams very distressing. My MW has been nothing but supportive. She recommended making a birth plan early on so we could talk through the options and anything which seemed unreasonable could be negotiated in time for me to come to terms with it and my ante-natal classes were relaxation focused. I also had the option to talk to a psychologist and could have pushed for a CS (but that I suspect is due to the underlying cause of my panic attacks). My birth plan includes things like labouring/delivering in a room with windows if possible, to reduce the issues associated with being confined and being able to remain active and unconstrained.

When I ended up going into hospital on Tuesday evening most of the staff had evidently read my file and were very understanding so I do recommend having any issue scrawled all over your maternity notes. I didn't have to explain myself once and my wishes about no VEs, no drips etc were totally respected.

If you do worry that you're going to completely freak in labour there are things they can do. There are sedatives suitable for pregnant women and if you think you'll find intervention too traumatic then there is a case for you to have a general for a CS or assisted delivery even if they'd prefer to do it under epidural, even though the risks of GA for pregnant women are very high. Personally I would prefer to risk the GA and accept the precautions like not eating once past 5cm dilation than risk having a full blown panic attack.

I'd also recommend familiarisation with the environment and staff where you're likely to give birth throughout your pregnancy. I deliberately chose to have my appointments at the hospital to acclimatise myself to going there, my MW arranged appointments so I could see the delivery suites etc in my own time and I've met several of the MWs (and it says on my birth plan that I want to be attended by someone I know wherever possible).

There are a lot of things that you and they can do to make the experience less unfamiliar for you.

I know someone who did, i don't know too much about it other than that she used to use a brown paper bag to breathe through to help regulate her breathing and get it back to normal, and she did this during labour at one point. she has now had two children so i guess you can get through it if you know what your coping strategies will be!

good luck

Have yu considered homebirth and/or a doula?
I have supported a couple of women who have panic attacks and the familiar home environment where they were in control seemed to work well for them to control anxiety.
Hypnotherapy sounds like a good idea too and as there is always a possibility of transfer it is good to familiarise your self with the hospital, take a tour, practice the route, if they do any yoga or elaxation classes there you could consider those to have a ositive assciaction with the place.
It could also effect the timing of when you go to hospital (if you go in late at night or early in the morning it tends to be quiet, on the roads and wards/corridors so less stressful)
S x

I don't have personal experience of this (though am not a massive fan of hospitals) but have worked with a couple of clients as a doula who've had various issues with hospitals/interventions and or PTSD - so similar situations in which they are worried that childbirth will trigger a pre-existing problem.

Have you thought about a homebirth? This is one of the ways my couples have chosen to handle this, reckoning (correctly it turns out for them) that in their own space, surrounded by their own things and midwives who are more accustomed to hypnobirthing couples/women who want quiet and space etc. she is more likely to feel relaxed and there will be less triggers for panic attacks.

A good site to look at to find out more about homebirth is www.homebirth.org.uk and there are a couple of nice homebirth stories on my website hackneydoula.co.uk/?page_id=26 On the homebirth site you'll find links to local homebirth support groups which are brilliant if you are thinking about it but not sure. Oh and there's a nice support thread on here: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/childbirth/1119378-Is-there-a-home-birth-thread-on-MN

Hypnobirthing/natal hypnotherapy is definitely something to think about. If you can stretch to it I'd recommend going on a course (possibly a private one) so that you are really well versed in teh techniques as is your partner.

It would be worth making sure, as frakyou suggests that you have info on your needs in your notes and on your plan and ask your partner to alert staff to this when he calls midwives out/lets them know you are going in and when you arrive.

I'd really suggest thinking seriously about having a doula (and you can PM me if you like to help you find someone local to you). Trainees charge less than£200 and there is a hardship fund if money is an issue.

I'd suggest finding someone who's happy to do quite a few visits before the birth to really get to know you, understand your needs, help you work through your fears, help you make a really good birth plan that gives you confidence etc. Alot of women find the right doula gives them confidence and belief in themselves that can really help avoid the kind of stress that can set off something like a panic attack. She should also be really good at helping your partner keep a nice protective bubble around you, keep your needs in the forefront of the team's mind and reassure you should plans have to change in any way. www.doula.org.uk has more information.

Lots of women face similar challenges and manage to have really positive experiences - it is totally possible given the right support.

Thank you everyone for replying - it certainly something I'm gonna spend a lot of time thinking about - I guess its a bit more natural than having surgery or something I and I hope that my midwife/care team and OH will be there to keep me grounded.

I did talk to OH about a homebirth and neither of us are happy with the idea, i think I'd be more relaxed in a hospital or birthing centre - I think my local hospital has one.

Obviously as it gets closer I can go and see the hospital/centre.

I never considered a Doula to be fair I think it would be out of our budget even with financial help.

I'm sure I'm making a huge deal out of nothing - millions of women do it everyday.

Thank you all though.
x

glitter DS has now arrived and I coped well, I think. If you have any questions feel free to PM and I can say more accurately what helped or didn't :)

In case you don't I'll just say my labour did stall, or possibly go backwards if that's possible, when I went into hospital although I didn't flat put panic so that's something to be aware of and prepare for and possibly talk over with your care team.