Positive test... Severe anxiety

[Owler26]

I just got a positive test today. At first I was excited and running on adrenaline I think.
Now I'm an anxious mess, unable to sleep as I'm waking up in hot sweats and constantly overthinking.
Im terrified of giving birth and also scared to be pregnant.

I think I suffer from a bit of anxiety generally but I manage it well and don't see a Dr about it. I feel like I'm in full on panic mode now. My heart is racing.

Has anyone any advice? Natural remedies? I would usually have chamomile tea but not sure I'm allowed that now!

Yes you're allowed a chamomile tea. Just don't drink 10.

You should make your booking appointment with the midwives and when you see them (at around 10 weeks) tell them about your anxiety. They will put you in contact with the perinatal mental health team. Don't just leave it to chance.

If you are struggling before that, tell your GP.

Pregnancy and childbirth can be difficult for some, and absolutely wonderful for others, but most of the time it's somewhere in between and there's nothing to be worried about. We women are strong.

Look in to doing hypnobirthing now so in 9 months time you will be so relaxed and comfortable with the techniques and idea of birth you will wonder what you were worried about!

Congratulations 🎉👏🏼

Thank you for your reply

I barely slept lastnight
I'm not too bad till I shut my eyes and then I feel very panicked
I feel very silly and ridiculous going on like this about it 😔

It's an enormous change to your life, and something unknown (assuming this is your first pregnancy). It's easy to feel like you 'shouldn't' feel like this, and the only normal thing is to be overjoyed but that simply isn't how most people experience it. There's always ambivalence and sometimes you'll be more in touch with the difficult feelings than the happy ones - later on it might be the other way round. Try not to judge yourself for how you're feeling, do a bit of exploring the feelings and where they come from and like the PP said do take it seriously if you go on feeling very panicked as pregnancy can and does exacerbate existing anxiety.

I was terrified of birth. I worried about it years before I ever intended to be a mum. I would suggest doing a hypnobirthing course (like the positive birth company one). I certainly took away some helpful tips (breathing techniques in particular).
I went on to have a really easy and quick birth. So much so that I immediately said 'was that it? I could do that again' when my boy was placed in my arms. During pushing i just wanted gas and air to take the edge off, so for the last 20 minutes. There was never a bit where I felt panicky or that the pain was too much to bear. I wished I hadn't spent so long worrying about something that I had no control over and it was a total waste of time doing so! The people helping you through it are professionals and will look after you.

Good luck and congratulations!

Thank you for your lovely replies

Its so comforting to hear people say that about birth. I too have been terrified of childbirth for years
Until I just decided I'll have to do it. But I can't cope if the whole 9 months is going to be like this, I need to sleep and not feel this panic in my chest.

Sorry I tried to tag your name in the right place but it's just putting it here and I can't move or delete it!
@JDJT

I also had two quick and lovely home births. Totally fine with gas & air and a pool! Hypnobirthing helped so much.

It's good to remember that we are perfectly designed for birth and it is a totally normal bodily function - and you really notice that in the pushing stage when it feels like just the same reflex as vomiting but out the other end! And it's much nicer having a baby come out!

Deal with your anxieties one at a time. You do not have to give birth if you can’t handle it. You can have an elective C-section. It’s a very calm stress free process. But you don’t need to decide that any time soon so park it in your mind for now.

I spent the first 20 weeks of pregnancy worrying about the birth. And the last 5 desperate for labour to start because I was so over being pregnant
I don’t think it’s uncommon

I had a lot of anxiety around pregnancy/birth and I found pregnancy hormones made it much worse.

When I told the midwife I was referred to a perinatal mental health team.

I had 2 csections on mental health grounds. It was totally fine and I wasn't excessively anxious during as it was a known quantity.

Ironically I'm actually much less anxious since having kids as they help me live in the moment.

If you want a child focus on the end game and looking after yourself in the meantime. You'll be fine I promise xx

I was absolutely terrified about giving birth!! I ended up having an emergency c-section which was pretty scary in the lead up to it but so easy and pain free during!! Yes, the first few days after hurt a lot but I would still rather have another c-section than think about having to push a baby out of me 🤷‍♀️🙈😂 I didn't have a labour though which I still find weird as I was waiting for contractions as I got closer to my due date 🤷‍♀️

HYPNOBIRTHING 100%

Follow these on instagram;
birth_ed
thebabyacademyuk
thepositivebirthcompany
popthatmumma

Really useful and informative accounts.
A few have hypnobirthing courses.

Invaluable really. I found them super helpful and made me feel much more prepared and confident to give birth.

Take some time, it's big news, you have time.. congrats!!

Popthatmumma has a really useful hypnobirthing toolbox you can purchase.

She has a Spotify playlist full of birth mindfulness tracks, positive affirmations and breathing tracks. Was lovely to fall asleep listening to them, especially the positive affirmations and while in the hospital too.

Thank you

I've followed those accounts!

I think I'd love a c section but I would feel so judged by people if I opted for one, I can't imagine the judgement from the Dr's and midwives? I've heard some refuse and then you get reffered to another Dr who will do it.

As much as I'd love a natural birth, water birth, hypnobirthing etc I think if I just get an epidural atleast I'd be numb like a c section?

It’s early days, don’t feel pressured into making a decision yet, you are entitled to whatever birth you want so don’t let the fear of being judged stop you.

My advice? Do as much research as you can, not just about the better bits of birth but the real nitty gritty, I’m not saying scare yourself silly but part of the anxiety is the unknown, I had a really traumatic birth but there in the moment, I was calm, I didn’t panic and I was able to make informed decisions about what was happening to my body which is so so important.