By: Jamie Saunders
Pregnancy is a time when women should feel all the wonderful feelings about carrying a much wanted and loved child. Joy, contentment, happiness, as I said all the wonderful feelings. Sometimes though, the peace and joy of pregnant women is shattered by feelings of inexplicable fear, anxiety, depression, and full-blown panic attacks.
Panic attacks are not uncommon. In fact, in the United States alone, a panic attack occurs every eight seconds, and the majority of the people having them aren’t pregnant. The feelings are real, but the fears themselves are either groundless or greatly exaggerated. But the symptoms are very real, but other than scaring the spit out of you, they won’t hurt you. Even so, why put yourself through all that trauma when you don’t have to?
Naturally, being a pregnant woman, you may experience some anxiety. You may wonder if labor and childbirth hurt as much as you’ve been told or seen on TV. You may be concerned that you will be unable to be the type of parent your child needs. Will the child be healthy and whole, but how will you cope if it isn’t? These small anxieties are normal. But when these thoughts cause you to become so anxious and fearful that you begin to feel lightheaded, dizzy, short of breath, or even as if you’re having a heart attack you aren’t experiencing normal pregnancy anxiety; you are having a panic attack!
One way to stave off pregnancy anxiety attacks is to have fewer things to worry about. When you choose your obstetrician, choose a doctor with whom you are comfortable have confidence in and feel you can trust, and follow his or her advice about frequent exercise and eating healthy meals. Exercise and good nutrition are as good for your emotional health as they are for your physical health. To assuage fears about the health of your baby, have an ultrasound as early as possible, and any tests you and your doctor think you should have to set your mind at ease. If the anxiety persists or escalates, consider hiring a doula if you can afford it. A doula is a woman whose job is to be there for you throughout your pregnancy, to teach you what you need to know, coach you in health and nutrition and give you emotional support.
If you can’t afford a doula, or even if you can, join a pregnancy forum online. These women can give you advice and emotional support because they are going through many of the same things as you.
There are some things you can do on your own as well. Practice deep breathing techniques, take up yoga or meditation, stay physically active, and keep company with people who make you feel good and make you laugh. All of these things help you to relax and learn how to stay calm, without having to take drugs.
You really don’t have to suffer through panic attacks during pregnancy, or before or after! You and your child will be fine! So have a happy, panic-free pregnancy and congratulations on your new family member!
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Did you know that every 8 seconds someone in the US has a panic attack? True! And sometimes I’m one of them! How about you? I’ve had panic attacks that have lasted 30+ minutes, and was absolutely certain I was having a heart attack! I couldn’t breathe, I had chest and neck pains, my left arm hurt, yet at the same time was numb; how weird is that?. Although I still feel the symptoms of panic attack coming on, from time to time, I’ve learned how to take control of my thoughts and reactions, and have changed my lifestyle to drastically decrease the chances of panic attack. |
