my "new" fear...cause of anxiety:(

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
my "new" fear...cause of anxiety:(
11
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 11:52am

hi ladies...


i just wanted to share this with hopes of getting it off my chest, and getting some feedback/tips...


my recent fear causing me a lot of anxiety is related to my pregnancy and complications...


when a woman goes into preterm labor they often give her two meds, magnesuim sulfate and terbultiline (spelling is horrible), well the mag makes you feel very sick like you have the flu and the terb...well, i've been told it makes you feel like you are having a panic attack, it makes you very gittery, your heart races and you get dizzy...so you can just imagine the combo of these two...


when i went into preterm labor w/my son, well, i was doing great anxiety wise (had been virtually anxiety free for 6 years), and they wanted to give me the meds to stop the contractions, but they said they felt that the contractions were just an irratible uterus and didn't think they would cause actual labor...so we decided that w/my history of panic disorder it would be best not to get the meds...well, they were wrong and my water broke 2 weeks later (probably due to the CONSTANT contractions) and my son was born...


well, in retro spect i should have taken the meds....


and now i'm at super high risk of preterm labor (already having some signs such as a shortening cervix)...and i'm petrified that i will go into preterm labor and get these meds...and they will cause me soo much anxiety that i flip out, and have a severe relapse...


i'm just soooo scared of this...


and i'm also petrified of going into labor in general...i

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 12:04pm

Heather, would it help knowing that the magnesium sulfate is causing the symptoms and that it's not a panic attack?

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 12:31pm

I am certain these fears are very real in your mind, Heather. However, you need to stop focusing on them. Like most of us on the board, you fear what you can't control. You need to let these thoughts go, because you will never have control over childbirth or the meds that may be necessary to safely deliver the baby.


Think positively. Think about the end results of your pregnancy. Focus on your health & that of the baby & what a wonderful experience childbirth can be. Look forward to the exciting times mothering your newborn. I know that you probably think I'm a little clueless about your fears, but trust me. I have been in your shoes. I had an awful experience when I had my surgery in June. I never discussed it on the board, as it would be a trigger for many. Let me just say that I know there is every possibility that I may have to have surgery in the future. But, no matter how great my fear of what happened, I cannot allow it to effect what I have no control over. Put your trust in humankind or in a higer power that these past experiences will not be repeated. Have faith that you will do just fine with today's modern medical technology. You are a strong woman.


I never had an epidural for labor & delivery & lots of women haven't throughout history. You CAN get through it if the epidural isn't an option this time. I have given & been given mag sulfate & during the labor process, focusing on the contractions is usually the order of the day & not POSSIBLE side effects of the drugs. Have you ever attended Lamaze classes? Most hospitals offer some sort of childbirth classes that help a woman to understand what her body is experiencing & that is tons of reassurance. It will reduce your fear. I wish you well. Sending P&PT's your way. (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 07-10-2006
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 3:50pm

Hi Heather :) it takes just .5 of a second to think a negative what if/thought (my therapist told me recently )... but it takes 11 seconds to replace it with positive thoughts.., do this enough.. and we automatically retrain our thought pattern. I'll send some positive your way so you can read them over and over when all those worries creep in. :)

1) You've done this before, and you can do it again!
2) the baby is going to be Loved so much!
3) I wonder what he/she will look like?
4) you have been blessed with children, who are such a wonderful gift!
5) That baby smell is so wonderful. (you moms know what I mean)
6) those little toes are going to be Kissable!
7) think of those alone moments when you get to rock them.. and its so quiet.. and you feel completely right, and full of love.
8) you are strong, emotionally and physically!
9) look at your little ones you have right now.. you'd do anything to bring them into life again. even if it meant a full blown panic attack was the only way :)
10) If you were HANDED IT, you CAN HANDLE IT!

Take care and pamper yourself a little tonight. blessings are coming your way :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-25-2005
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 8:23pm
Heather I remember so well the thoughts of going through labor
again!! The stress and fear!! My heart goes out to you!
I have to tell you the second and third deliveries were much easier!! YAY!!
Try to distract your thoughts as the others have suggested I KNOW IT IS HARD!
Worrying will not help anything!! As far as the epidural they can not give it
until it is the right time from what I understand---- I never had one tho.
Take care of yourself and remember this child will be sooooooooo wonderful!!
HUGS!! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 8:49pm

Yes, there were 21 years between my last 2 kids, and the pain & joy of labor is something you do not forget. My 2nd & 3rd pregnancies were easier than my 1st one, the delivery went quicker each time.

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 9:03pm

Heather,


I was in preterm labor at 26 weeks. I was on both meds and oral breathine was fine.. didn't bother me at all.


When I went on the mag sulfate it made me feel sick but it wasn't that bad. They also gave me Nubian which counteracted it a bit.

Avatar for alsmith32
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 10:05pm
Hi,
I had terbutaline when I had preterm labor. And I have a history of panic attacks. To me it wasn't like a panic attack, it was like drinking 27 cups of coffee. Very jittery. But not like a panic attack. So at least for me, I didn't have a problem with it other than it is not the most fun thing. However the least fun thing was, after that, I had to do monitoring for contractions at home and then I had to send in the results from the machine over the phone line, and then the people from the place would call me and tell me if I had to redo it for another hour or if I was ok. That was the worst! The people were so sickly sweet, and I just wanted to reach through the phone and rip their heads off. It was very frustrating, because I had no control over it and I didn't exactly have tons of free time to lay there motionless and monitor myself for another hour. I think that the whole situation caused me more stress than it helped. I also took a beta blocker which is an off-label use. I don't know if it helped but my child was born on time, not early.
Secondly, I have had 3 kids and no epidurals. Just IV medication (I forget the name but it's a mild narcotic). It does get quicker each time. I went from 6 hours labor to 4 to 2 with my last. You can do it! I agree with some of the other posters, don't focus as much on the process but more on the end result. Kids are so great!!!!
Keep posting, it helps to discuss your fears and hear from supportive people!
Good luck
Allie
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
Tue, 09-26-2006 - 10:43pm


Sorry I can't give advice on the pregnancy part (no kids yet!) But just want to give you *hugz* and positive vibes Heather!


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 09-27-2006 - 3:56pm

Heather,

i had preterm labor, not sure what drugs but i think
the mag was given, i didn't feel panicky from it at
all, i was too concerned with not going into labor.
i had him that day anyway, he was 32weeks.
they told me i might feel panic, but i didn't.

i was petrified of giving birth, but like my dh
kept telling me, you're not breaking new ground,
that statement really helped.

i think there were too many real fears to have my
usual panic, make any sense?

good luck,
kris

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Wed, 09-27-2006 - 4:51pm

thank you all so much for you support.

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