Stress Center Peer Support

hello everyone i hope everyone is well on their way to overcoming anxiety. its been awhile since ive been here i felt that had just about overcame anxiety and panic attacks then last week i found out that i am pregnant this is my second child and my first is nine yrs old this was unexpected but im trying to get over the shock and make the best of it the anxiety and scary thoughts are back all the what ifs keep my mind spinning so yes im back here asking for advice from the best group of people ive had heart palpatations dizziness and shortness of breath of course ive had this symptoms before i got pregnant but since i work in the medical field (of course this makes my health anxiety worse) i think i have a blood clot or a pulmonary embolism if someone could just maybe share some experiences with being pregnant and having panic attacks and health anxiety that would be great. we really need a forum for this topic of pregnancy. sorry for the long forum i just really thought i overcame anxiety and now i feel that im back to square one thanks in advance for any feed back i really appreciate it

If you feel you beat the anxiety once then you know you have the tools deep inside and now have to apply them. What I've learned is that life challenges are going to continue to come at me fast and more so as I get older, so I've got to be able to deal with it the healthiest way I can. I used to look forward to things being "normal" again with no big issues in life and then I'd be and feel "normal". It doesn't work like that.
What a huge change and shock for you with the pregnancy! Of course you'll feel like you do. The old anxiety habits were just waiting for something big to happen in your life to jump out and try to spook you. That's all it is. It can try and you may fall down a bit and get a spook or two, but it can't hurt you.
I like to think of it sometimes like God is giving me hurdles and I really do grow and strengthen myself by getting through them. It sure doesn't feel good when it's first starting, but we can grow to appreciate the lessons and growth.
You've had a baby before, you've had anxiety symptoms like this before and you know you're Ok even though it may not feel like it.
Try everyday to trust yourself and trust that God is in control.
We never start at square one. It only feels like it.
All the best!
What fun to have almost 10 years between kids! I have a brother 14 years younger than me and it's really been fun and a unique relationship (I actually taught him in my middle school class last year!)

thank you so much kdlady

I am also pregnant and have been very anxious. I have felt short of breath and panicky etc. My doctor is getting ready to start me on prozac. This will be my 3rd child! I had a hard delivery with my last and am so scared. I am 5 months and having a boy so i look for things to get excited about. I have agerphobia so that don't make things any easier. Would love to talk to you sometime.

everything will work it's self out it always does.

hi dawfai i would love to chat anytime its nice to have someone thats going thru something similar

Hello, I am not and have never been pregnant, but I wanted to say Good luck to you. You mentioned getting over anxiety before, so you can do it again. It may be hard, but believe in yourself, you do have the power.

Hello Moms,

This is a good topic. I am actually in the midst of trying to get pregnant. I got off medication four months ago in order to try to get pregnant. I had anxiety about 5 years ago and not really had a problem since, until now getting off the meds. The panic attacks have started to come back, the negative thinking, my mind not being able to stop talking to itself. I am 34 and thought I would be ready by now to have children. I got married a year ago and my husband wants kids very much. I just seem to be scared silly about not being able to see myself as a mom, worry about not being a good mom, nervous about being a mother and finding out I am pregnant. I had always knew I wanted to be a mom, but don't feel prepared since this anxiety has reared it's ugly head again. Now I am fearing fear, fear that I can't be on medication to help and that I will get no relief from this 24/7. I feel I need the medication, but know I can't be on anything till I get preg. and after first trimester. I seem also to be pushing away my husband, due to the fear, and feeling like I am messing up our lives. I ordered the program last week, so I really hope that this helps. I feel like I am running out of time with the firtility thing and don't want to have to go back on meds., then have to wait till it clears my system to try again. I have tried this twice. Any suggestions?

Dreaming Good 2-I feel like you wrote the exact post that I am thinking. I too went off meds. and my symptoms have returned and we are trying to get pregnant. Now my thinking is out of control because I'm worried that my anxiety is going to harm the baby and that I shouldn't get pregnant. I do not want to be on meds, but I also want to feel comfortable that my anxiety is not harmful. I am scared to now get pregnant and previously was so excited and ready. Now I just keep worrying about it. Any advice from others would be wonderful. I know that we should not let anxiety prohibit us from our dreams, but am I doing any harm to a child?

Hi girls
As a veteran mom who suffers from anxiety, I'll try to give you some advice. First, I think it is great you are doing this program and wish I had done this before having my children. I had my first child at 32 and three more after this with the last at age 40. It is normal to be anxious about the first one. I got postpartum depression after my second, third, and fourth child. With the last I went on Zoloft in the last trimester. I have friends who have been on meds throughout their whole pregnancy. I currently get accupuncture for my anxiety and it works. This is safe during pregnancy. Ultimately you have to make the decision and weigh the benefits vs the risks. Hopefully the program will allow you not to have to make this decision at all...But don't beat yourself up if you need to go on meds. I think overall they are safe to take while pregnant.
I hope this helps.

Thank you for the advice. I really hope this program works. I am trying to stay off meds., but really having a hard time with this. I have been having panaic 24/7 and now have not been able to sleep. I am also trying to help my husband deal with his adhd. It is good to know that others think the same and that you had luck having a child up until 40. I am really hoping this program works for me.