Anxiety and pregnancy- how do you cope

[Luli5]

I’m happy but a bit dazed by the fact that I’m pregnant, though early days.
Due to some health issues a couple of years ago I really didn’t feel think it would happen this quickly and I didn’t prepare or research what this would mean when it comes to my crippling social/speaking anxiety.
I've been taking 40mg propranolol as needed for years now and it genuinely changed my life, made no longer frightened of my own voice or even picking up the phone.
I was not expecting my Gp to say I can’t take it, especially as the nhs website says it has not been found it be harmful. My GP (fairly) said there just haven’t been enough tests. Wouldn’t offer any alternatives either.

I’m now in an awful situation where I absolutely don’t want to do anything to harm this baby but I truly don’t know how I can carry on at work without. My voice today was a wobbly mess and I had to keep going to the toilets to escape as I felt so tearful and awful.
I should never have become so dependent on it I guess.

so yeah. Sorry for long post. Just feeling upset and angry at myself and it’s clouding my happy feelings about this pregnancy.

Firstly, congratulations on your pregnancy. It sounds like a really tough situation for you OP, sorry you're having to go through it. The NHS website is a great source to check info like what meds are and aren't safe in pregnancy. Usually it's quite clear if meds are not safe to take in pregnancy, so the fact is says they've not been found to be harmful should mean something. I know often meds are not formally tested on pregnant women so there's not a great deal of evidence and medical professionals can be reluctant to okay things as a result. Could you contact your GP surgery and ask to speak to another GP armed with what the NHS website says? I'm sure I've read about plenty of women who take meds for anxiety during pregnancy (although not sure which meds) so hopefully there really is an alternative if your previous meds are not OK. Pregnancy is a vulnerable time and it's really important you're well looked after. I don't know if that helps, but I wish you well with things OP x

Agree you should ask to talk to a GP again about this, you could try a smaller dose as a compromise.
Here is some more info https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/leaflets-a-z/propranolol/

Thank you both for your kind and helpful comments :)

I struggle with anxiety and have for years. I had conflicting advice from two different GPs with relation to propranolol. One said absolutely not and the other said it was ok perhaps in a lower doses as an overly anxious mum prone to anxiety attacks would not help the baby either. (For reference I was on 40mg 3 times a day) I opted to try without (currently 17 weeks) I have done a CBT talking therapies course and looped my manager in at work who is being very supportive. I’m managing ok at the moment but do talk again to your GP, you will need some help to manage this :-)