Want to get pregnant but scared of pregnancy symptoms
I have had GAD all my life and recently developed Panic Disorder. I want to have a child but my fear of throwing up has prevented me from getting pregnant. I feel silly to have this fear. I think it's because I am not in control of my body when it happens. Does anyone have any ideas how to prevent or lessen nausea during pregnancy? I'm also scared of dying during childbirth but as I read the other posts on here, I think that is an anxiety symptom of "negative" thinking. Anyone's advice would greatly be appreciated.
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khabirov77
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2007 10:57 pm
Hello! I am 33 weeks pregnant and I have been a nervous wreck this whole entire time. I started my anxiety and panic attacks because I became pregnant. Some people who already have panic disorder, when they become pregnant it makes it better for them. But not for me. I think it is because of all the changes and hormones. I fear dying during childbirth and have thought of it everyday. It seems to get easier because I have had people to reassure me that everything is going to be okay. It has been hard for me, very hard. Even today I am struggling to make it through But it won’t be long till I have my baby and then I will feel better I hope. You will do fine if you are wanting to get pregnant. The fears you have are normal. If you happen to be sick during your pregnancy, there are ways to help like eating crackers when you wake in the morning and drink on sprites. If your nausea gets too bad then the doctor can always give you medicine if he sees that it is a little too much on you. When I was pregnant with my first child, I was sick for like 3 months straight, all day long. Not just in the mornings. But I made it through. All I did was lay on my couch. Eeveryone was looking out for me and buying me food and stuff so now when I look back it was sort of fun having everyone to serve me You will be okay. Go ahead and get pregnant if you want. You will do and be just fine.
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worryalittlebit
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Thu Mar 24, 2005 2:00 am
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have no idea how much this post has helped me. I am roughly 3 months pregnant and have been having the worst time from all day sickness, to fatigue, to anxiety and depression and obsessive thoughts. Everyone around me is so excited for my baby to be born and yet I can't for some odd reason enjoy the happiness. Maybe it's the sickness, but I really think I am petrified of labour. I am so afraid to die during labour, I am afraid of the pain (I have a very low pain tolerance), and I am afraid of having depression after the baby is born. I fear so many things that I can't be happy about this pregnancy even though a baby is something I have wanted for such a long time. I just want to thank you ladies for sharing your thoughts with me/us. It really helps to think of these thoughts, as negative thoughts, instead of worrying that they are forthcoming 'omens' of some kind. I wish you all luck in your pregnancy and forthcoming pregnancy.
This is sooo crazy! I haven't been on here for quite a while and this is the topic i was going to start!
I am also 3 months pregnant with my second child (my 1st is 6). Unexpected, but we are very happy. The only problem is i had to get off of my Lexapro and for awhile i have been just fine but lately i have been having fears of having postpartum depression, fears of not loving the baby enough because this wasn't planned or of neglecting my daughter etc... I already know i am terrible with change and on top of the baby we are moving in about a month, have to come up with $1700 in about 3 weeks, my fiance has just began a new job and works second shift so i really only get to see him on sundays , we have to change my daughters school, and i feel like im GOING CRAZY!!!!! I think it is really odd, but i can't even imagine another child in my life!!! Can someone please keep this going so i don't feel alone! -happy?? mom to be again!
I am also 3 months pregnant with my second child (my 1st is 6). Unexpected, but we are very happy. The only problem is i had to get off of my Lexapro and for awhile i have been just fine but lately i have been having fears of having postpartum depression, fears of not loving the baby enough because this wasn't planned or of neglecting my daughter etc... I already know i am terrible with change and on top of the baby we are moving in about a month, have to come up with $1700 in about 3 weeks, my fiance has just began a new job and works second shift so i really only get to see him on sundays , we have to change my daughters school, and i feel like im GOING CRAZY!!!!! I think it is really odd, but i can't even imagine another child in my life!!! Can someone please keep this going so i don't feel alone! -happy?? mom to be again!
Hi, i love kid's but am very scared of having them. I would have to go off (lexapro) i have severe depression and panic attakts. All is well when i take med's but if not thing's get bad for me. I also have seasonal depression so that also makes me nercouse to go off my med's cause even taking then the season's effect me.
Im afraid of everything about this but, the baby. I know how to care for them and know I would be an amazing mother.
I don't want strange people to touch me or look at me, I don't want to stand out in public, I don't want my boyfriend's family to be in my comfort zone, i don't want a babyshower were i will be the center of attention, i just want it to all go unoticed..how do i do that???
Im afraid of everything about this but, the baby. I know how to care for them and know I would be an amazing mother.
I don't want strange people to touch me or look at me, I don't want to stand out in public, I don't want my boyfriend's family to be in my comfort zone, i don't want a babyshower were i will be the center of attention, i just want it to all go unoticed..how do i do that???
Hi All - This is my first posting. I was so sick when I was pregnant with both of my boys but that was mostly due to my migraines. Though I did have thoughts like "What if I don't love my baby?". It sounds silly but it was very real to me and I told people about tit. That actually made me feel better to verbalize it. I worried about post partum and being too tired to care for my baby. I really need my "me" time and a lot of rest. You will be amazed at what your bady can do. It will adjust. I of course did not have any problem at all loving my baby!
I had a friend that also struggled with anxiety and after she gave birth struggled with post partum. I was told and told her "happy mommy, happy baby" so take care of yourself first.
Though I was nervous about the delivery, would I feel a lot of pain?, would I be able to do it period? It helped me to think about the many many women that get preganat and get no pre-natal care at all and have perfectly healthy deliveries.
I did not want a babby shower either. Your friends and family have to take you seriously when you say you don't want a shower. Be honest with them. Tell them while you appreciate it you really don't feel well enough at this point to handle it. Don't be ashamed of anxiety/panic/depression. It helps people understand! If you had a broken leg, everyone would do what they can to help. People will understand if you are honest with them.
Good luck to everyone with their pregnancies! It's very tough. The woman's body is amazing. Your body is doing so much work even while you are at rest so give yourself permission to do whatever feels right at the time. It will all work out and be worth it when you breath in your babies breath for the first time. There is nothing sweeter.
You are so strong. Hang in there!
I had a friend that also struggled with anxiety and after she gave birth struggled with post partum. I was told and told her "happy mommy, happy baby" so take care of yourself first.
Though I was nervous about the delivery, would I feel a lot of pain?, would I be able to do it period? It helped me to think about the many many women that get preganat and get no pre-natal care at all and have perfectly healthy deliveries.
I did not want a babby shower either. Your friends and family have to take you seriously when you say you don't want a shower. Be honest with them. Tell them while you appreciate it you really don't feel well enough at this point to handle it. Don't be ashamed of anxiety/panic/depression. It helps people understand! If you had a broken leg, everyone would do what they can to help. People will understand if you are honest with them.
Good luck to everyone with their pregnancies! It's very tough. The woman's body is amazing. Your body is doing so much work even while you are at rest so give yourself permission to do whatever feels right at the time. It will all work out and be worth it when you breath in your babies breath for the first time. There is nothing sweeter.
You are so strong. Hang in there!
Thank you for starting this thread. I too, am 31 weeks pregnant with my second child. It's been a rough road of anxiety attacks in the beginning,constant nausea for 4 months and then severe crying spells in second trimester. There are cures for all of these. I purchased anti-nausea wrist bands, drank lots of lemonade and the nausea went away.
Since i was terrified of starting the meds, my last resort was to try accupuncture for the crying and obsessive thoughts, and I am so glad I did. Taking time for me was also important.
Although I still have thoughts of not loving the baby enough, my first child asking me if I will still love him, etc. we have been taken a crucial turn in our adventure. My husband, 5 year old and I painted the babies room yesterday, and our new baby is starting to seem real now for our family. This definitely helped. I has postpartum with my first, but am hopeful that it will not happen again and thinking positively through the programs help. I noticed the bad thoughts start when I'm exhausted or watching too much news/tv. If I rest, they go away. The labor is the easy part, let your doctor create a plan with you so you know what to expect. Last time I brought a photo with me to focus on and think positively.
Good luck everyone!
Since i was terrified of starting the meds, my last resort was to try accupuncture for the crying and obsessive thoughts, and I am so glad I did. Taking time for me was also important.
Although I still have thoughts of not loving the baby enough, my first child asking me if I will still love him, etc. we have been taken a crucial turn in our adventure. My husband, 5 year old and I painted the babies room yesterday, and our new baby is starting to seem real now for our family. This definitely helped. I has postpartum with my first, but am hopeful that it will not happen again and thinking positively through the programs help. I noticed the bad thoughts start when I'm exhausted or watching too much news/tv. If I rest, they go away. The labor is the easy part, let your doctor create a plan with you so you know what to expect. Last time I brought a photo with me to focus on and think positively.
Good luck everyone!
Hello Mommies-to-Be!!!
As a mom of two boys (5yr and 7yr), a L&D nurse, a sufferer of post-partum depression, and a sufferer of anxiety for 10 years, I can tell you that what you're experiencing is COMPLETELY normal. There is nothing "wrong" with you. Pregnancy can be a very tiring, emotionally challenging, and a scary experience. But, in the same breath, it's also one of life's most exciting, joyous, and greatest adventures. Your body is going through a HUGE change and it can't come without some form of anxiety and/or fear. It's all in how your perceive it to be.
There is only a small percentage of women that have a "beautiful", a "wonderful", and a "glorious" pregnancy! There are millions of women that suffer from all kinds of ailments during pregnancy, too. It's natural, it's normal, and it's what creating a human is all about. The difference between the two sets of groups (those who think they sail through pregnancy and those that throw up 24 hrs a day and are on bedrest) is how they think and how they react. I once had a patient who was carrying twins, had a couple of other children at home, had finacial problems, lost her job, and had many medical problems in the beginning of the pregnancy. Doctors told her that she had to be on bedrest for the entire pregnancy. Even though that she was confined to bed except for going to the bathroom, she felt that she had the best pregnancy ever! She never once felt dependent, never once felt sorry for herself, and never once complained about the 8 months of boredom, pain, and other problems that were happening in her life. She held on strongly to her faith and she felt blessed to even be carrying children.
Our minds are connected to our body and one can't do without the other. One feels what one thinks, and one thinks what one feels. Nausea/Vomiting are a natural response to pregnancy hormones. I'm not saying that you'll throw up only if you think that you will. But, the anxiety that comes with the nausea/vomiting can be controlled, hence, lessening the fear of actually having it.
I was hospitalized for "hyperemesis" during my pregnancy...which means that I didn't eat for weeks because all I did was throw up. My anxiety didn't make it any better. Looking back, I wish I could have changed my thought patterns because I know that while I couldn't control the nausea I felt, I could have changed my reaction to it. There are many medications (safe for the baby) that you can take to help with it. If you need the meds, don't be afraid to take them. Happy mom does equal happy baby. If the time comes that you really do need to intervene with medication, just remember that it's ok because in order for your baby to get the nutrients he/she needs, you must do what you have to do.
Babies can feel the stress that we feel and that we experience. The more that you are able to lessen stress, lessen anxiety, think more positively, underreact, and stay in the precious present moment, the easier your pregnancy may be. Remember, it's all in how your perceive it to be.
As far as labor goes.....who isn't afraid of it???? Who doesn't have some sort of fear of it??? Imagine if men had to go through it. What type of level of anxiety do you think they would have? Don't you know that's why God left birthing to women and not men??? Labor is hard. Labor is tough. Labor is scary. But, you can be prepared. Take classes. Read books. Talk to your doctor. Readiness is the key. Practice your breathing, practice your focusing, and have a support system and have a plan. Most importantly, stay calm. You can do it. You are all strong women, and you'll be strong mothers. This is one of life's toughest challenges and I know that you all can do it. Just wait until you hold that precious baby in your arms. It'll be worth the entire wait and you'll find that after it's all over, you wish you hadn't had worried so much.
A couple keys to post-partum depression. The blues are completely normal after pregnancy. If you find, though, that it's lasting for more than a couple weeks, talk to your doc. Make sure you get lots of rest. Sleep when the baby sleeps. To hell with housework, cooking, and petty chores that can wait. You need to take care of you in order to take care of your baby. If you have a great support system to help, lean on them. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You are not weak if you ask someone to come over and watch the baby, do your laundry, or cook dinner for you. There are lots of people wanting to help. Use them during this special time in your life so that you can concentrate on your baby. Eat well. Proper nutrition will definitely help curb the blues. Exercise. Go for walks, exercise at home, go to the gym when you're cleared to do so. Will also greatly help with the blues and anxiety. Talk about what/how you are feeling. The more you keep it in, the worse off you are. Call a friend or a family member or your doc. These people may be able to help you, snap you back into reality, or just lend a comforting ear.
I wish you all lots of luck. I know this was long, but just wanted to share some thoughts and experiences. Remember, you CAN do it! You are strong, you are courageous, and you are a wonderful mother!
K~
As a mom of two boys (5yr and 7yr), a L&D nurse, a sufferer of post-partum depression, and a sufferer of anxiety for 10 years, I can tell you that what you're experiencing is COMPLETELY normal. There is nothing "wrong" with you. Pregnancy can be a very tiring, emotionally challenging, and a scary experience. But, in the same breath, it's also one of life's most exciting, joyous, and greatest adventures. Your body is going through a HUGE change and it can't come without some form of anxiety and/or fear. It's all in how your perceive it to be.
There is only a small percentage of women that have a "beautiful", a "wonderful", and a "glorious" pregnancy! There are millions of women that suffer from all kinds of ailments during pregnancy, too. It's natural, it's normal, and it's what creating a human is all about. The difference between the two sets of groups (those who think they sail through pregnancy and those that throw up 24 hrs a day and are on bedrest) is how they think and how they react. I once had a patient who was carrying twins, had a couple of other children at home, had finacial problems, lost her job, and had many medical problems in the beginning of the pregnancy. Doctors told her that she had to be on bedrest for the entire pregnancy. Even though that she was confined to bed except for going to the bathroom, she felt that she had the best pregnancy ever! She never once felt dependent, never once felt sorry for herself, and never once complained about the 8 months of boredom, pain, and other problems that were happening in her life. She held on strongly to her faith and she felt blessed to even be carrying children.
Our minds are connected to our body and one can't do without the other. One feels what one thinks, and one thinks what one feels. Nausea/Vomiting are a natural response to pregnancy hormones. I'm not saying that you'll throw up only if you think that you will. But, the anxiety that comes with the nausea/vomiting can be controlled, hence, lessening the fear of actually having it.
I was hospitalized for "hyperemesis" during my pregnancy...which means that I didn't eat for weeks because all I did was throw up. My anxiety didn't make it any better. Looking back, I wish I could have changed my thought patterns because I know that while I couldn't control the nausea I felt, I could have changed my reaction to it. There are many medications (safe for the baby) that you can take to help with it. If you need the meds, don't be afraid to take them. Happy mom does equal happy baby. If the time comes that you really do need to intervene with medication, just remember that it's ok because in order for your baby to get the nutrients he/she needs, you must do what you have to do.
Babies can feel the stress that we feel and that we experience. The more that you are able to lessen stress, lessen anxiety, think more positively, underreact, and stay in the precious present moment, the easier your pregnancy may be. Remember, it's all in how your perceive it to be.
As far as labor goes.....who isn't afraid of it???? Who doesn't have some sort of fear of it??? Imagine if men had to go through it. What type of level of anxiety do you think they would have? Don't you know that's why God left birthing to women and not men??? Labor is hard. Labor is tough. Labor is scary. But, you can be prepared. Take classes. Read books. Talk to your doctor. Readiness is the key. Practice your breathing, practice your focusing, and have a support system and have a plan. Most importantly, stay calm. You can do it. You are all strong women, and you'll be strong mothers. This is one of life's toughest challenges and I know that you all can do it. Just wait until you hold that precious baby in your arms. It'll be worth the entire wait and you'll find that after it's all over, you wish you hadn't had worried so much.
A couple keys to post-partum depression. The blues are completely normal after pregnancy. If you find, though, that it's lasting for more than a couple weeks, talk to your doc. Make sure you get lots of rest. Sleep when the baby sleeps. To hell with housework, cooking, and petty chores that can wait. You need to take care of you in order to take care of your baby. If you have a great support system to help, lean on them. Don't be afraid to ask for help. You are not weak if you ask someone to come over and watch the baby, do your laundry, or cook dinner for you. There are lots of people wanting to help. Use them during this special time in your life so that you can concentrate on your baby. Eat well. Proper nutrition will definitely help curb the blues. Exercise. Go for walks, exercise at home, go to the gym when you're cleared to do so. Will also greatly help with the blues and anxiety. Talk about what/how you are feeling. The more you keep it in, the worse off you are. Call a friend or a family member or your doc. These people may be able to help you, snap you back into reality, or just lend a comforting ear.
I wish you all lots of luck. I know this was long, but just wanted to share some thoughts and experiences. Remember, you CAN do it! You are strong, you are courageous, and you are a wonderful mother!
K~
HI everyone!
My thoughts are with you all. Just remember if our mothers did it and our grandmothers did we can do it also and they had no epideral. I try to think of that when i get negative thoughts. I have a question, when did you start to feel that you were pregnant how long after trying to conceive your child. I'm feeling things but i don't know if it's too soon and maybe it's in my head?help?
My thoughts are with you all. Just remember if our mothers did it and our grandmothers did we can do it also and they had no epideral. I try to think of that when i get negative thoughts. I have a question, when did you start to feel that you were pregnant how long after trying to conceive your child. I'm feeling things but i don't know if it's too soon and maybe it's in my head?help?
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jasminemody
- Posts: 8
- Joined: Mon Oct 20, 2008 3:05 pm
Hi Everyone! I am currently on Seroquel-50 mg and have been on it for 2 years because I have bipolar disorder. I know that bipolar disorder does not have a cure, but you can learn to control your mood. That doesn't make any sense to me. And also, if I have to take this medcine my whole life, I will not be able to get pregnant at all and am honestly considering adoption at this point, but I am only 27 years old. I heard that you have to be off any medication for atleast 2 years before you decide to have children. I have tried to ween myself off the medicine with my doctor, but I always have these headaches after 2 weeks ( thats what my dcotor calls withdrawal symptoms). This is because I am not dealing with my the REAL problems in my life. She said that I am relying too much on the medication. I fear that I will never have a chance to get pregnant. And is it okay to have children in your late thirties. I know that the risk for birth defects increases. But is there anyone that can tell me the facts. I looked up the statistics online and have also talked to friends about the topic. I am really scared that I will not be able to have children if I am never able to get of the medication i am taking.