Stress Center Peer Support

Me and my husband are seriously talking about having kids. We have been married a little over a year and both of us want kids really bad. However, I am really really anxious about starting to try to have kids. I have suffered with anxiety for years and of course I have a big big fear of hospitals and enclosed spaces, especially being far away from doors, exits, etc., I just dont know how I would cope with pregnancy. I just dont want to miss out on the joys of being a mom, and I dont want to keep that from my husband as well, but I am just so scared and nervous about the outcome. Staying in a hospital scares me, I find it hard just to stay in a hotel, I have a hard time walking down long small halls, and being trapped and I dont want to hurt myself or a baby if for some reason I were to really get scared in labor. Does anyone else have any experience with this? Thanks.

I have had agoraphobia on and off since 1995. I had my son in 2001 and my daughter in 2006. Things will be just fine! And I can say that whatever anxiety I had with my son was just first Mom jitters. Everyone has anxiety when they're pregnant! Good luck and try to not worry about it.

Carrie

Dear Blueskies,
I have been married a little over a year, too! We love kids and look forward to the time when that happens but for now we are waiting to buy a house. I've learned so much in the last 4 months going through the attacking anxiety program. Prior to the program(summer 07) I had 2 miscarriages. That was tough but it was a wake up call to me. I am not handling the stress of life and I am suffering from anxiety and depression. If you are anxious and stressed your baby knows it and it can definately affect your pregnancy. My hope for you is that you can become more comfortable with you body and to go through the program if you haven't. Also, I am planning to have my children at home with a midwife. This is a very healthy option for a relaxed delivery. Educate yourself about this option and you may realize how unnecessary many of the interventions are in a hospital birth. They cause more stress and anxiety than having a natural birth. I am becoming more aware of my emotional and physical needs so that I am better prepared to handle a pregnancy. Let me know what you think: )

Actually I wasnt aware that you could have a home delivery. How safe is that? Thats actually a very wonderful option to think about. But the only reason that I would pursue that option would be just because I was scared to go into the hospital to have it. I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriages dankbert, that's a horrible thing to have to go through. Thanks for the advice.

Blueskies,
I read a wonderful book about home births and the author is Ina May Gaskin. The title is Ina Mays Guide to Childbirth. I can't describe how good it is to read the experiences of other homebirths. It gets me all excited. I can think of 5 people I know personally that have had homebirths. It looks like you are from West Virginia so I emailed The Midwives Alliance of North America for a list of midwives in your state.

Hi, Blueskies---if you look in the "Parent to Parent" forum, there are lots of threads talking about anxiety/depression and pregnancy. I'll bet there is a lot of info to help you there...I know it is helping me!!