extremely stressed, help please

[EmB1715]

I don't really know what to do so could really do with some advice. I'm 29 weeks and I don't know why but I feel constantly stressed even when I'm resting. I'm finding it really hard to cope with long, busy days where I usually end up in tears and having panic attacks by the end of the day. I'm so worried about the effect of my stress on my baby, there's so much info out there about how harmful it can be and how it can affect the personality of baby. Feeling scared, sad and guilty now on top of everything else. What's wrong with me?!

anyone? :(

Not sure this will be much help but maybe it is hormones, I'm only 12 weeks but I'm already bursting into tears and getting frustrated at the most ridiculous things, I find going for a walk in the fresh air or having a really good rant at a friend helps, sorry I can't offer any better advice x

Hi OP-

Your baby will be absolutely fine! If my DD (14 mos) can be the smiliest, cuddliest child in the world after I spent 40 weeks crying my eyes out before she was born, your baby will be A-OK too!

Remember-you're not alone. Your baby's with you and is lucky to have a mummy who cares so deeply for him/her.

Keep a diary. Write what you're thinking and feeling, no matter how silly. Save it all. 6 weeks post birth, you won't believe how different everything is.

Call your midwife or GP if you are really feeling down. It's their job to help!

Thanks ladies. I'm just so worried I've got antenatal depression. DH asked me lots of odd questions yesterday after he'd obviously done some research so it looks like he thinks I do too

Can you cut back hours at work? When are you due to stop? Could you take a days leave a week till then? I suggest you talk to your manager and also give your midwife a ring.

Don't worry about the effect on the baby, it'll be fine. But do worry about yourself and think about how to improve things.

I'm a self employed nanny so I work on my own terms. It also means that I wont get SMP so I need to work as much and for as long as possible!

Could you be a bit deficient in magnesium?, that can cause tiredness and depression-like symptoms.

Will you get maternity allowance instead?

Please don't worry about your baby - they are tucked up nice and safe.

You possibly should talk to your midwife about how you feel. If it's more than hormones she can help. If it's hormones maybe she can give you some strategies to help.

Your baby will be fine OP.

With my first DC i didn't realise i was preg. till i was 4 months. I was crash dieting, taking on huge amounts of very stressful work, was fainting in the heat at work, doing long long days and wondering why i was crying in the evenings and being as sick as a pig!

Baby was A OK :)

Em you really don't need to worry about your baby - he/she will be fine.

However, your well being is just as important and it sounds like you are having a terrible time. Can you talk to your DP honestly and find out if he is concerned about you too? He may be better placed to assess how serious the situation is and he may be able to give you more support too if he understands exactly how you are feeling.

I would definitely consider having a word with your midwife or GP (whoever you feel most comfortable with). There is no shame in having antenatal depression, and - if that is what you have - it's better to tackle it sooner rather than later.

Oh, you may also find there are some ladies on the antenatal/postnatal depression board of mumsnet that can help/understand how you are feeling.

Oh, you poor thing. I've had a week of this, after feeling mostly okay until now (25w today) and it's vile.

I read, somewhere on here, that for stress to have a measurable effect on the unborn baby, it'd have to be at the kind of levels experienced by front line soldiers. Go ahead and howl - you aren't doing any harm (except to your mascara). Un-MN-tty hug from me.