Perplexed by Pregnancy Panic? Our Readers Write!

Name: Rain • Due Date: 11/22/2006

I have been having panic attacks for about 2 years now and decided to have my 3rd child. The first 2 were no problem other than hypertention so i was induced early but over all fine. Now with the panic disorder i am having a hard time even picturing myself in labor plus I have gestational diabetes and cronic hypertention this time. I keep trying to remember what it was like the first 2 times to calm myself down and it helps a little but we all know every delivery is different. Im not sure what to do about it .

Name: KaCee • Due Date: 10/29/2007

I suffered from severe anxiety after miscarriage in November, and was put on medication to help. I got pregnant again in February and have not been on the medication since, but was able to calm myself down somehow. I am now 24 weeks along and have noticed the anxiety returning (although not as extreme as before). When I notice that I can't catch my breath, I try to take a break from work, close my eyes and concentrate on deep breathing. I hope the anxiety does not increase as the pregnancy progresses. One other step I am taking is to work at home a couple days a week and I plan to reduce my work hours after the baby comes in order to have more time to take care of myself.

Name: Jenny • Due Date: 09/23/2006

I had been trained to fear pregnancy by my mother who always told me her 2 horrow stories as I grew up. I watched my sister have her 3rd with no pain meds and wa simpressed though I was still glad it was her having the baby that day and not me! My whole pregnanct I was caught between scared yet relieved by my watching my sister. After my 1st BH contraction last week I have returned to 100% scared. I felt like I could not breathe. Any moms out there know if this is what happens during labor? I can handle great amounts of pain sharp or dull but feeling trapped in a tight corset type of feeling is the scariest thing to me. I have asked people who have had kids and usually they say "I don't know" which is either to save me fear or really that they just cannot rememer (pregnancy amnesia I suppose). But for me knowing the facts and then learning to deal with them is better than someone telling me a sugar-coated version of labor and then being caught off guard and unprepared during my own labor. So, I am scared stiff and having trouble sleeping just because of the unknown. However, I have a lot of faith and I know God would not give me anything I could not handle. In that I find peace. So, part of handling agian to me is knowing the facts....anyone willing to talk about it?

Name: Maria • Due Date: 09/19/2006

I have been experience full blown panic attacks that last for almost 1/2 hour and they ussually happen when I am fast asleep and they wake me up. Afterwards I feel so drained but at the same time it takes me along time to fall back to sleep since my body is so wound up. What I am doing to help alleviate it is going to my daughter's room and watch her sleep or cuddle up to her. I also wake hubby up and he ussually talks to me for a little while or makes jokes to help me ease the anxiety.

Name: Rachael • Due Date: 06/27/2006

I have been so emotional and upset through this pregnancy doesnt seem so right when your expecting the happiest part of your life but ive also had lots of worrys over dying at the birth has anyone else my mum never even thought of owt like that and im very scared...???

Name: reema gupta • Due Date: 07/27/2006

i feel very anxious at many a times in a day. I feel like crying at that time. Loss of appetite is there. Wanna eat so much but in vain. Lotsa ache in the body makes me very lathargic & inactive. I feel like just sitting & sitting.