I have had the program for 6 mos. and am doing so much better. I have gone from daily debilitating panic attacks to the occasional one, maybe once a month.

But I am pregnant and terrified that I will have
a panic attack in the middle of labor, that my chest will tighten and I won't be able to breath or my stomach will start cramping, or worse that I will pass out when I need to be pushing or something.

I know it's prob. irrational but I am really worried about this, I think it is the fact that once labor starts I have no control, I'm having the baby. It's not like I can leave or go home, I'm gonna be in the process til its done and I want it to be a good experience.

The sad thing is I have done this before, I have an 11 year old, but somehow this pregnancy is much different and I am scared the labor will be much different also. I am already what if-ing all the complications and of course dying during childbirth. Help!

Spooon,

So what if you do ???? Nothing bad will happen and you will still be able to control yourself !!

We don't have to fear a panic attack because it runs the same course every time. Tell yourself this. Give yourself permission to have an attack and watch something marvelous happen....... Once you ACCEPT panic, it's gone !!!

Spooon,

I worried about the same thing when I had my daughter. One thing helped me tremendously. I told myself that when the pain started coming, I would release every muscle in my body and just ride the wave of pain. I didn't tense up any muscles. No matter how intense the pain becomes just let go and float through it. Pretend you are floating on a cloud and don't try to hold on to yourself --let the cloud hold you. I handled some pretty intense pain this way. You won't believe how well it works. It is also a great technique to use during panic attacks. Good luck and congratulations!!

Kathy

This hits so close to home. I'm set to have our 2nd baby any day now and those thoughts have been creaping up on me. Those old "what if" thoughts have started again. I have just tried to use my positive self talk, along with prayer and my relaxation tape. Pregnancy and birth are just stressful situations my nature. Even people who don't have problems with anxiety panic during labor. Your doctor and nurses have seen it before.

quote:

Even people who don't have problems with anxiety panic during labor. Your doctor and nurses have seen it before.

EXAAAAAAACTLY !!!

I don't think you will have a panic attack. You'll be too busy thinking about the baby and having it. I only say this because I was worried about the samething with my second child.
When the labor started panic and anxiety didn't even cross my mind and I believe that was because I was focused on something else.
Even IF you do start having a panic attack tell the nurse they are very compasionate about that stuff and they will help you through it.
Keep up the positive self talk, you will be just fine.
Sherra

I was scared out of my mind thinking about my labor. I delivered twin boys four years ago and when I found out that I was having a c-section, I was even more scared. When I was in the delivery room, they gave me the epidural (I think that's what you call it), my whole body went numb. All I could feel was my face and arms. I soon found myself thinking the what-if's. What if there's an earthquake, what if I have a panic attack and I can't move. I was scared, but that only lasted for a little while. I soon started focusing on my double miracles, my little boys. I kept thinking about how I was finally going to see them, that everything was going to be alright, that I didn't need to get off of the delivery table until they were out of me. I somehow started thinking good thoughts and it helped. The funny thing is that I just started the program a few weeks ago and I'm learning how to think positive thoughts. I didn't know back there that I needed to think positive, but somehow I did it and it helped. You're delivery will be fine. Just think about your new baby and how wonderful it will be to finally see him/her and hold him/her in your arms. Good luck.

Tired Mom

I am going through the exact same thoughts right now and it's really getting to me! I am worried about having a panic attack during labor, having to have a C section if labor doesn't work and the whole concept of labor and delivery. It literally can keep me up worrying at night and from enjoying other things. I am trying to keep up the self talk but it doesn't seem to always help, has anyone else experienced that or do you find the self talk works every time? How long of practicing self talk before it does start to work? Help!

I am having the same thing...I am in the beginning stages of labor and am panicking!!!

I am so afraid I will die in labor or shortly after so my family will get the insurance money to pay off our debt..Its completely crazy but I can't shake the feeling and now I am terrified there is a real cosmic reason for this fear...I have nothing wrong with me how do I combat this fear??

Just thought I'd add something here: I'm not pregnant, but I hope to be soon. I have similiar worries of things going wrong. But my younger sister (after having some early contractions throughout both of her pregnancies, having to be on meds for that, and delivering her second boy a month early) -- tried hypnobirthing for each of her sons. She read about it and took a hypnobirthing class. Both of her labors lasted a total of three hours. In each instance, the doctors and nurses said it was the calmest labor they had ever seen. She had the lights turned down, and really "listened to her body." She didn't need any epidurals or anything...didn't scream or carry on...she said the worst thing you can do is tense up during contractions and "fight" the labor process. She said to the doctors that she wanted it very quiet in the room and that she would push when she felt she had to. She said, "Your body knows what to do." In any case, she informed me that giving birth, in her experience was "no big deal" though it was "hard work." After her second son was born, one of the doctors approached her and asked if she would be willing to teach a hypnobirthing class (she declined at the time)...anyway, if and when I get pregnant, I am going to study hypnobirthing as well. For those of us battling anxiety, look at it this way: If your mind can create negative physical reactions due to psychological stress, what if you used that same energy and power to influence positive reactions. It seems like if we can go one way and have it so strongly affect us in a negative way, we should be able to, with practice, harness that energy and psychology to work in a very positive way, as well...maybe even moreso than a person without anxiety, since we already know one of the emotional extremes, and have been there many times. The other extreme (relaxation, positivity) should also be attainable.
Hope this helps..

Hi. I have had two deliveries. First with epideral, no pain... Second epidural did not work. I truely believe that i was panicking the whole time, the pain was sooo bad, I knew there must be something wrong, and that no one believed me. I have had anxiety for years, but only recently diagnosed. I am on effexor, even while pregnant. I have done as much research as I can, and truely there is no evidence prooving that effexor is bad for the baby. Anti-depressants are so contraversial in this way, that you have to weigh your options. I am way happier this pregnancy, I can function properly, i feel healthy and am so excited about this baby. While the other pregnancies, I was very stresed out, grouchy, depressed, have panic attacks in every department store you could think of. I still do have anxiety, but I think a birthing coach this time around would be beneficial to me. SOmeone who can look you in the eye, and tell you that the pain you are experienceing is normal, and is supposed to happen. I am really going to look into these things.

All you have to do is tell your doctor what you are feeling and they will assist you with the meds you need to keep calm. Plus, the other posts are right. You will be so busy and focused (key word here is focused) on delivering the baby that anxiety will not cross your mind.

The reason you will handle it is because you will have no choice. This in and of itself is great news!

I have never had any children myself, but my sister also suffers from panic and has had 3 beautiful kids. The dr.s also told her that the minute the baby is born she could take something (like xanax) which works within a few minutes. So maybe you could talk to your dr. about that, or even focusing on the fact that if you do need it at the end you can have it may be comforting to you. Good luck to you.

Spooon,

Im am right with you. I have the most horrible thoughts and I too suffer from anxiety. I am 6 months pregnant with my second child. My 1st pregnancy I did not even know what a panic attack was. I am freaking out because I keep thinking what if something happens during child birth. It is really comforting however to read all the responses on here. I feel better and pray to GOD that he helps all woman going through this. Pregnancy takes a lot out of you if you have anxiety but we must be strong and pray and I wish you the best! Now I feel like im not alone. My husband tries to comfort me but he also makes me feel like im just crazy sometimes and reading all these stories makes me feel better in that I am not going through this alone. Thanks to all of u!