Panic attacks and pregnancy

[Motherof1and2dogs]

I wanted to know if anyone has or is experiencing panic attacks during pregnancy.

I have been suffering with panic attacks for around 3 years, funnily enough it started when I was pregnant with my first (I assume it is down to the anxiety and hormones of being pregnant) - this then unfortunately turned into panic disorder so my panic attacks have been frequent ever since, even after my son was born who is now 2 years old. They are very up and down but the past 3 months have been pretty much panic attack free, I am now 10 weeks pregnant and they have started again :(

I just want to know I am not alone here (I don't know anyone that has been pregnant before that has suffered with panic disorder) because I do feel very alone. It makes me feel really weak and makes me question "why me!"
Any tips or tricks for anyone that has been or is in the same situation as me would be really appreciated ☺️ thank you x

You are most certainly not alone in this my lovely, I can assure you of that. Both from a professional and personal standpoint. This is not a reflection on you or your personal strength or anything else so please don’t add that to the equation. Hormones will be playing a huge rule, and just as women suffer in varying degrees with PMS, so too are they impacted in different ways by the pregnancy hormones. Exacerbation of existing anxitety and panic conditions is common in pregnancy and in the postnatal period, precisely because of these hormonal influences. There may also be an element of fear of the fear (was for me certainly) in the sense that you experienced in a previous pregnancy so were waiting / anticipating it happening this time.

My advice, lots of exercise and fresh air (and a vitamin d supplement as I always find my anxiety is worse when I am low on that), an arsenal of relaxing / nurturing activities when time allows to refill your cup, distraction or deep breathing techniques when in the midst of a panic attack, and a constant reminder (written out for you to read) that these panic attacks whilst horrible for you, will not harm your baby. That they will always, always come to an end, however scary and endless they feel in the moment. And that they have zero bearing on your capacity to be an incredible mother. Make sure you confide in your midwife, ask to be referred to a perintal mental health team, and don’t be afraid to consider medication such as sertraline if you need it. Lastly, please do PM me anytime if you need to chat.

This too shall pass.

I would recommend asking the doc for Sertraline, it's what's kept my anxiety at bay before pregnancy and now during.
I feel for you though, having attacks are very real and so horrible.
As @Puddlelane123 says 'this too shall pass'👌

Had my first one in a changing room trying on a maternity dress. First pregnancy. Post baby couldn't leave the house without husband. GP gave me meds which worked.

Second time it was my first inkling that I was pregnant. Back on meds.

It happened a couple more times over the years. GP called it flat battery syndrome because my serotonin levels were depleted.