anxiety in pregnancy
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| Thu, 01-20-2005 - 5:54pm |
I posted this on the pregnancy and depression board, but it seems to be pretty much dead, so i'm going to try on a board where there are more people, I hope.
I've been going absolutely nuts lately, and I just need to vent a little. I am 17 weeks pregnant and just moved to a different city. I have family here, and they try to be supportive when they can, but they are all very busy with their own lives. My bf is working crazy hours, and I haven't even spoken to him since Saturday. I already have a 2 year old, so it's like i'm a single mom, but i still have to pick up after a slob boyfriend.
On top of this, I don't have any friends yet in this city, and as hard as I try to go out to play groups to meet people, I haven't been able to get on the bus because of panic attacks. I just don't know what to do with myself anymore, because there is absolutely nothing within walking distance of my house, and my bf can't drive me anywhere because of his work schedule.
It seems like I never stop crying, and i feel like the worst mom in the world because my daughter is always asking if i'm ok. She's only 2, she shouldn't have to be too concerned about her mother's stability yet. I've tried to see a psychiatrist, but it's a small town, and the waiting list is about a year long. On top of everything else, i am extremely paranoid about drugs and have gone off my meds in this pregnancy, because i'm scared, despite what statistics say about how safe they can be, that they will hurt the baby. Most medicines have only been tested in childre, not on the possible affects that use during pregnancy could have on their mental health as adults. Is that completely insane?
I'm also home alone at night, and everytime i hear a noise I jump and have to investigate before I can go back to sleep, which is taking it's toll on me too. I just with i could convince myself that noone is going to break in, but it's also always been an extreme fear of mine, keeping me up at night since I was just a small child.
Has anyone been through anything similar to this before or have any advice?


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Hi! Nice to see you posting. Maybe someone on this board can be of help. We have some pregnant members & some who have worked with anxiety through their pregnancies.
There have been studies done on meds during pregnancy. It is posted on the antidepressant meds board, where I read your original post. You must bear in mind that the anxiety as you have described, can be harmful to your baby. There is alot of research to support that. If you can't see a psychiatrist now, then see your family dr. or your ob/gyn. They can manage your condition or refer you to a psychiatrist & this will get you an appointment much sooner.
For now, have you tried yoga, meditation, positive thinking, imagery, breathing or relaxation exercises? These things are low or no cost & may benefit you. Let us know how things are going. We care about you. You are not alone. Join us in chat when you can. Good luck! jan
Thanks for replying so quickly. I don't have a doctor, and am in the process of getting a midwife. My last doctor reffered me to a psychiatrist, and that's how i got on the waiting list, so i don't think anyone can speed that up, which i guess is the joys of a publicly funded health care system. I can get private care through a psychologyst instead, but that would cost about $200 an hour, which is not even close to possible.
I practice yoga, pilates, and just meditation on a regular basis, which is probably the only reason that I am still sane enough to speak in sentences.
I should be going back to school for a while in about a month, which will be stressful, but having somewhere to go everyday may help, so I just have to get through until the end of february.
My advice to you is to GET BACK ON YOUR MEDS RIGHT NOW. I went off my meds too and am still paying the consequences.
It is better to take SSRIs than it is to spend every day and night shaking and nearly vomiting from panic.
Please go to your dr and get yourself help. There are millions of women who have healthy babies on SSRIs.
Love Sarah
BTW - I went to a midwife for prenatal care with the pg that was a nightmare and I regret it. NOt that I know if it would have been any different with a regular obgyn - but the midwife didnt' really help matters.
Love Sarah
I don't think feeling anxious in your situation is unusual. You have a toddler going through the terrible twos and you are pregnant. Your boyfriend is not around much so you are stuck parenting your child alone. You also moved to a new city.
My psychiatrist told me that prozac and zoloft are now being used for pregnant women and are considered safe. Of course, you should talk to your doctor! However, just from a common sense point of view, if you can find a medicine your doctor believes is safe, take it. The anxiety you are going through is not good for you or your baby. Post natal depression is also common. I would hate to see you go through a bad post natal depression if there is medication available. I have yet to figure out the Canadian health system. Surely, you can go see an internist? At this point, I think seeing an MD as soon as possible is crucial.
Good luck and keep posting!
Selena
I"m not a dr - but I"m passing on medical advice from every dr or nurse that I've spoken to.
This was the psychiatrist I saw at the MGH center for mental health:
http://www.womensmentalhealth.org/information/bios/pearson.html
In addition, I consulted with three other doctors and my midwife at that time. Since then I've spoken to drs and a different center here where I live who have also given the same advice.
Love Sarah
Edited 1/24/2005 12:58 am ET ET by mumpy
I saw a doctor who said I could continue to take xanax when needed, as did my midwife. I went to the pharmacy to fill the perscription, and he was like "You're taking THAT when you're pregnant?" and advised that I check it out on www.safefetus.com. So I looked it up, and apparently it's a class D medication. It says "The drug is teratogenic in animals at high doses producing skeletal anomalies and by affecting the fetal neurodevelopment it causes cerebellar defects, reduced motivation and increased male aggression in the adult offspring exposed in utero." Now I don't completely understand what some of those words mean, but it sounds too scary to me. I'm staying away from meds entirely, and i'm not trusting doctor's about it anymore.
I'm the kind of person who is afraid to take tylenol because there has been a link if used to much between it and birth complications. There is no way I'm going back on any meds, especially not my xanax until after I'm done breastfeeding, which could easily be another 2 years, as the baby won't be born until july.
I did find a crisis center at the hospital, so I'm hoping to hear back from them soon, and maybe they'll have some advice on seeing a councelor or a psychiatrist in the city who would do more than just prescribe more drugs.
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