Panic attack during labor?
I'm due in August and I'm not so much afraid of the pain as I am with something bad happening to me. Negative thinking...anyways, I wanted to know if anyone here with panic disorder had a panic attack during labor. I have had anxiety disorder all my life but got panic disorder a year and a half ago. I also get skipped heartbeats now with it or when I'm stressed. I just wanted to hear other people's experiences (hopefully OK/good) to ease my mind.
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Guest
Libran
I had a baby 3 months ago and I went to HYPNOBIRTHING classes. It helped me so much. Made labor so much easier for me. This was my second child and I had a midwife at home for both births. If you can find someone in your area that teaches the classes I would so recommend this. I do have anxiety and panic disorder but truly benefited from this. If you cannot find anyone in your area you can get the book, but I really felt the classes helped so much more. Good Luck to you You will be fine. Try to read all the positive books you can get ahold of this will help too. I have been reading Joel Osteens BECOME A BETTER YOU it is so positive I do suggest this book highly.
Try to stay positive. Having a baby is a natural thing you will be ok.
Your Friend
Angla
I had a baby 3 months ago and I went to HYPNOBIRTHING classes. It helped me so much. Made labor so much easier for me. This was my second child and I had a midwife at home for both births. If you can find someone in your area that teaches the classes I would so recommend this. I do have anxiety and panic disorder but truly benefited from this. If you cannot find anyone in your area you can get the book, but I really felt the classes helped so much more. Good Luck to you You will be fine. Try to read all the positive books you can get ahold of this will help too. I have been reading Joel Osteens BECOME A BETTER YOU it is so positive I do suggest this book highly.
Try to stay positive. Having a baby is a natural thing you will be ok.
Your Friend
Angla
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Guest
hello,
I hope all is going well with your pregnancy. I also suffer from panic disorder and when i delivered there was no panicing I just focused on my doctor and the nurse and let them tell me what to do. He is my first baby so I was scared out of my mind. I had a room full of people coming and going until the delivery time came so stragedy helped out alot. I think you'll do grat and have no problems midwifes are the best it makes it very quiet and relaxed when they are there instead of doctors and nurses running around. Good Luck, I hope I helped a little.
michelle
I hope all is going well with your pregnancy. I also suffer from panic disorder and when i delivered there was no panicing I just focused on my doctor and the nurse and let them tell me what to do. He is my first baby so I was scared out of my mind. I had a room full of people coming and going until the delivery time came so stragedy helped out alot. I think you'll do grat and have no problems midwifes are the best it makes it very quiet and relaxed when they are there instead of doctors and nurses running around. Good Luck, I hope I helped a little.
michelle
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Guest
Libran,
I have had panic/anxiety all my life. I have also had 3 children. I did really well with all my labors. I did panic during my last but I have to tell you it was also my BEST labor. I was in the birthing tub and had to get out because I was at 7 cm and I was having a large baby so they wanted me to deliver on the bed...well when I got out I panicked a bit my doctor asked me what I needed; what would help and I got a morphine spinal for the pain and it helped knowing part of the fear which is the pain was being helped.
But I can tell you it will be fine make a plan for yourself and your support people, partner etc..Also talk to your health provider. I remember my doctor was so calm about it like no biggie she then told me she had to chase a woman around because she was determined to go home not wanting or feeling ready to deliver...picture it kind of funny and the better things is it worked out for her to...Many many people have all kinds a panic and fear surrounding delivery and motherhood...you are not alone and you will do great! If you panic so what you know what it is and you will feel better and better yet you get the best gift a baby!
I have had panic/anxiety all my life. I have also had 3 children. I did really well with all my labors. I did panic during my last but I have to tell you it was also my BEST labor. I was in the birthing tub and had to get out because I was at 7 cm and I was having a large baby so they wanted me to deliver on the bed...well when I got out I panicked a bit my doctor asked me what I needed; what would help and I got a morphine spinal for the pain and it helped knowing part of the fear which is the pain was being helped.
But I can tell you it will be fine make a plan for yourself and your support people, partner etc..Also talk to your health provider. I remember my doctor was so calm about it like no biggie she then told me she had to chase a woman around because she was determined to go home not wanting or feeling ready to deliver...picture it kind of funny and the better things is it worked out for her to...Many many people have all kinds a panic and fear surrounding delivery and motherhood...you are not alone and you will do great! If you panic so what you know what it is and you will feel better and better yet you get the best gift a baby!
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Guest
I didn't have problems with panic during labor at all, which is weird because at that time in my life before the pregnancy I used to panic over everything! In fact the nurse said I was one of the most calm woman she'd seen in awhile. I guess it's just that we prepare for the worst all the time, that when something really IS going on, instead of just our imagination, it doesn't seem so bad. At least that was my experience. I do well during crisis too because I'm so used to being freaked out it seems normal. LOL
Seriously you have to concentrate on your breathing and listening to the doctor I don't think it's as easy to panic during that time. I was blessed with really easy labor too though so that helped.
I had an epy the first time but didn't like the feeling so I went natural the 2nd time. I sort of lost it and screamed during the pushing and then apologized to the doctor. LOL He told me he'd never seen a woman scream during natural childbirth before
Just make sure that you stay rested before and after the birth as much as you can; that helps so much!
Seriously you have to concentrate on your breathing and listening to the doctor I don't think it's as easy to panic during that time. I was blessed with really easy labor too though so that helped.
I had an epy the first time but didn't like the feeling so I went natural the 2nd time. I sort of lost it and screamed during the pushing and then apologized to the doctor. LOL He told me he'd never seen a woman scream during natural childbirth before
Just make sure that you stay rested before and after the birth as much as you can; that helps so much!
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Guest
Hello-
I had panic attacks for a long ! time and while I was in the age of having babies. I have 4 sons, all born within 5 years, and we all did great. Not one ounce of panic- I think when you get to the point of being ready to deliver your child you take the focus off of yourself and how you feel and focus on the baby and the actual mechanics of how you are going to get that puppy out of there. And then after, the maternal instinct kicks in and you will feel like a pro. Take gentle advice from your providers on nursing, etc., send the baby out to the nursery during the night so you can sleep, drink alot of water, eat regularly and ENJOY yourself. You will fall in love and it's all going to be OK. And if you panic- you are not failing. You are doing a brand new thing and of course you feel unsure. Panic won't hurt you and the baby certainly doesn't care. They just want their mom and are happy with a snuggle and some milk. Oh- another tip- Naps. Lots of naps for you. No trying to keep up appearances for anyone. You take care of you.
Terri
I had panic attacks for a long ! time and while I was in the age of having babies. I have 4 sons, all born within 5 years, and we all did great. Not one ounce of panic- I think when you get to the point of being ready to deliver your child you take the focus off of yourself and how you feel and focus on the baby and the actual mechanics of how you are going to get that puppy out of there. And then after, the maternal instinct kicks in and you will feel like a pro. Take gentle advice from your providers on nursing, etc., send the baby out to the nursery during the night so you can sleep, drink alot of water, eat regularly and ENJOY yourself. You will fall in love and it's all going to be OK. And if you panic- you are not failing. You are doing a brand new thing and of course you feel unsure. Panic won't hurt you and the baby certainly doesn't care. They just want their mom and are happy with a snuggle and some milk. Oh- another tip- Naps. Lots of naps for you. No trying to keep up appearances for anyone. You take care of you.
Terri
ATTITUDE -- The mind is like a parachute...it doesn't work unless it's open!!
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Guest
This was also my fear. I had my son three years ago and let me tell you, not one ounce of anxiety during labor.
The only anxiety I had was at midnight I woke up and went to the bathroom. Getting back in bed I felt a trickle and was like "oh oh, did I just wet myself or is that my water breaking, LOL". It was my water. Now the kicker was because my husband was snoring a lot, he slept in the basement that night so I could get a good night sleep. So here I was now having to go down two flights of stairs to wake him up. My heart was pounding and my knees were shaking.
That's the only part of the whole process I has anxiety/panic attack, but I think even those without anxiety would have reacted very similiar.
No anxiety during the entire process at the hospital and it took 16 1/2 hours for my son to be born once my water broke. No major complications, he just was slow about coming out!
I think you will be ok, I had the exact fears and I think your body goes into some sort of calm to get thru it. Also, your mind is elsewhere, so you won't be so focued on anxiety.
The only anxiety I had was at midnight I woke up and went to the bathroom. Getting back in bed I felt a trickle and was like "oh oh, did I just wet myself or is that my water breaking, LOL". It was my water. Now the kicker was because my husband was snoring a lot, he slept in the basement that night so I could get a good night sleep. So here I was now having to go down two flights of stairs to wake him up. My heart was pounding and my knees were shaking.
That's the only part of the whole process I has anxiety/panic attack, but I think even those without anxiety would have reacted very similiar.
No anxiety during the entire process at the hospital and it took 16 1/2 hours for my son to be born once my water broke. No major complications, he just was slow about coming out!
I think you will be ok, I had the exact fears and I think your body goes into some sort of calm to get thru it. Also, your mind is elsewhere, so you won't be so focued on anxiety.
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Guest
I've had anxiety/panic for over 25 yrs. I've gone through five pregnancies and not once did I have a panic attack during labor or delivery. But, you can be sure that for the nine months I was pregnant, that was my biggest fear,"What if I have a panic attack during labor"...And not once did I. I firmly believe that anxiety and panic are from being in "my head" too much and negative thinking, so, with that in mind, when I was in labor, although I was going through the work and pains of having my babies, I was totally happy and excited therefore, anxiety and panic was non existant! Not to mention that there was just too much work to be done to let anxiety take ahold of me. You will be just fine! You're in a safe place, try and relax and know that soon you will be holding your little one and all that anxiety fear will disappear as you look into his/her eyes Congratulations
Congratulations-
Guest
You will not panic during labor because your doctor will not let you. If you feel any signs of anxiety let your doctor or nurse know and they will give you something to calm you (but you will still be very alert to help with the process of delivery).
Start telling yourself now that: I CAN HANDLE THIS. In truth, you can and you will because you'll have to. It's amazing what we can do when we have to. You'll be so busy with giving birth that your mind will not be on your worries.
Start telling yourself now that: I CAN HANDLE THIS. In truth, you can and you will because you'll have to. It's amazing what we can do when we have to. You'll be so busy with giving birth that your mind will not be on your worries.