Anxiety while pregnant

[Rosexoxx]

Hi everyone.
I’m nearly 37 weeks along and in the few days I have started to feel abit down and very emotional but I didn’t think anything of it thought it was normal end of pregnancy stuff. Then last night I had a panic attack before bed it was awful managed to fall asleep after a few hours. I woke up for the loo at 2am and again had another panic attack I made myself sick over it. I feel a sense of impending doom. I don’t want to say it but I feel worried that maybe I will still feel this even after the baby is here I feel like I’m going to be a terrible parent. I don’t feel like I’m going to die or that there is anything wrong with the baby so I don’t know what I’m panicking about. Is this just my hormones going crazy or am I crazy? I just want to cry all the time. I’m a ftm and I’m 21.

bless you Rose please talk to your mid-wife about this. She will be able to refer you to a perinatal mental health team who will be able to help you. I suffer from anxiety and so know how horribly scary it is when an attack strikes and how horrid that sense of impending doom feels too. There are many ways in which you can get help and possibly you could find you are worried about something, which once resolved might help ease the anxiety.

Hi there,

I’ve had some fairly awful episodes of anxiety in the past and when I was pregnant with my first DD it became awful. I think hormones do have a lot to answer for, and I’m sorry to say that for me, the anxiety did get worse after she was born. However, I with my history I was proactive and went straight to the gp who gave me medication (I had stopped breastfeeding) and referred me to the peri-natal mental health team. There is help out there and it can get better.

I’m not 3 weeks post-partum with DS and I’m suffering again, but following the same treatment plan. However, this is my first episode of anxiety for a few years. I’m in a bit of a hole myself at the moment and feeling much like I’m sure you are- that I’ll never be ‘me’ again.

My advice is to visit your gp and be open with those around you about how you’re feeling. I know how awful it is- I wouldn’t wish it on anyone and I think a lot of people don’t understand how debilitating it can feel xx

Rose I also experienced severe anxiety in pregnancy. Towards my baby's birth I also felt a sense of impending doom and I dreaded going off on maternity leave.

I had support from the perinatal mental health team. There are some medications that are very safe to take in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, Sertraline is one.

I have a lovely bond with my now 6 month old and did not develop PND. It is understandable to be anxious at this time. Nothing is more important to you than your baby. You are not going to be a terrible mum.

Contact your midwife or make an GP appointment but speak to someone as soon as you can.

Thank you so much for your replies. I have spoken to my midwife who is going to put me in contact with someone. I just hope it goes away when baby is here. Xx