Support needed

[Bubba19alicia]

I was told to write on here from the pregnancy board. I'm 7 weeks and 3 days pregnant with my first child. I am so excited, but at the same time I am terrified of labour. So terrified that even talking/writing about it I feel breathless and teary! I suffer with bipolar type 2, BPD and panic disorder and have had to come off my medication, and add this with a extremely low pain threshold , I'm am shitting myself :( I don't know anyone else with similar MH who has been pregnant, an even though my friends/family/OH are supportive, no one can truly understand :(

Hi there, I don't frequent these boards often and I am certainly no expert but I could not let your post go unanswered.

I do not have any of the conditions you have but still was very nervous about childbirth, I think most women ARE, even without the added barriers you are facing.

My first piece of advice is to see your midwife/gp and explain your anxieties (no matter how trivial you feel they are, and DO NOT play it down). They may be able to put you in touch with a professional who can help. Maybe arrange a your of the labour suite beforehand.

It also may help to look into hypo birthing or something similar to this. Please please do not suffer in silence, just because childbirth is 'something All mothers have to do' does not mean your anxieties are worth overlooking or ignoring.

I'm sure someone else with more experience or someone more professional will come along soon and help you more than I can but I wish you all the luck in the world.

When you see your midwife tell her what you wrote her and she should refer you to the peri natal mental health team or a specialist midwife for support.

I know this thread isn't about the mental health issues but it is about being scared of childbirth and may be of some help to you:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/2282467-Terrified-of-birth

And I stand by what I wrote in that thread!

There are lots of ways people find to get through childbirth. Some people opt for elective c section. I went for hypnobirthing and active birth classes. I still freaked out from time to time throughout my first pregnancy but it was better having done those classes.

Absolutely you must get help for your mh issues during pregnancy and support after the birth. Talk to your midwife, ask the community midwife team, ask your gp, ask any other specialists you may deal with. Demand help!

Good luck - I'm sure with a little bit of research and plenty of support from your family and friends you'll work out a way for you to get through this.

Thankyou for all 3 pieces of advice, am definitely going to speak to my midwife and look into hypnoborthing/yoga