Anyone have high anxiety during pregnancy and everything turn out ok?

[Anonymous]

My anxiety was bad during pregnancy but postpartum it amplified by about a million. The hellish cocktail of sleep deprivation, hormones, postpartum sweats, breastfeeding challenges and pain, new relationship dynamic with partner, pain and healing from birth and getting acclimatized to my new body and vagina, etc. was so, so hard. Pregnancy is the easy part, relatively speaking. OP if you’re struggling with anxiety now make sure you have a village to support you postpartum, including a psychiatrist and regular therapist along with family members to help you. Don’t go postpartum alone. I say this gently, but if you’re struggling now it will
Be much much harder when the baby is here. The anxiety doesn’t disappear upon a safe delivery - that’s actually the start of the marathon. Pregnancy is the warm up.

[Anonymous]

I had a really rough second pregnancy. Anxiety started almost immediately around week 5. Ended up on Ativan starting week 7 or 8 until around week 26 because it got so bad that I was not sleeping at all and I spiraled. Slowly weaned off the Ativan and was able to get through the rest fairly well. DD was born at 36 week perfectly healthy and is a smart, athletic and healthy 13 year olds now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a really rough second pregnancy. Anxiety started almost immediately around week 5. Ended up on Ativan starting week 7 or 8 until around week 26 because it got so bad that I was not sleeping at all and I spiraled. Slowly weaned off the Ativan and was able to get through the rest fairly well. DD was born at 36 week perfectly healthy and is a smart, athletic and healthy 13 year olds now.

Great to hear all turned out well!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My anxiety was bad during pregnancy but postpartum it amplified by about a million. The hellish cocktail of sleep deprivation, hormones, postpartum sweats, breastfeeding challenges and pain, new relationship dynamic with partner, pain and healing from birth and getting acclimatized to my new body and vagina, etc. was so, so hard. Pregnancy is the easy part, relatively speaking. OP if you’re struggling with anxiety now make sure you have a village to support you postpartum, including a psychiatrist and regular therapist along with family members to help you. Don’t go postpartum alone. I say this gently, but if you’re struggling now it will
Be much much harder when the baby is here. The anxiety doesn’t disappear upon a safe delivery - that’s actually the start of the marathon. Pregnancy is the warm up.

My therapist said the same. Hoping to stick with it for sure. Thanks for your input.

[Anonymous]

I have generalized anxiety and have been on SSRIs since college. I went off meds when we started TTC. I had a missed miscarriage at the end of the first trimester with my first pregnancy, and had a ton of anxiety in my next two pregnancies. I had a lot of sleepless nights and daytime anxiety worrying about parenting, health/death, finances, etc. I also had some major family challenges with my parents during both pregnancies that were the most extreme distress I have ever experienced.

Everything turned out okay! Both babies were born full term - 39.5 and 40.5 weeks. There were some unforeseen events, but we just worked through each one as it came and everything resolved well. The kids are 7 and 5 now and are happy, healthy, and wonderful little people! I went back on Celexa after I stopped breastfeeding my second child, and I am also healthy and fine.

What worked best for me is reminding myself that worrying wouldn't change anything. Worrying does not give you control. You will make the best decisions you can at every fork in the road, and that's all anyone can do.

Hang in there! This is an especially tough time to be pregnant, so be kind to yourself. It's hard even in normal times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have generalized anxiety and have been on SSRIs since college. I went off meds when we started TTC. I had a missed miscarriage at the end of the first trimester with my first pregnancy, and had a ton of anxiety in my next two pregnancies. I had a lot of sleepless nights and daytime anxiety worrying about parenting, health/death, finances, etc. I also had some major family challenges with my parents during both pregnancies that were the most extreme distress I have ever experienced.

Everything turned out okay! Both babies were born full term - 39.5 and 40.5 weeks. There were some unforeseen events, but we just worked through each one as it came and everything resolved well. The kids are 7 and 5 now and are happy, healthy, and wonderful little people! I went back on Celexa after I stopped breastfeeding my second child, and I am also healthy and fine.

What worked best for me is reminding myself that worrying wouldn't change anything. Worrying does not give you control. You will make the best decisions you can at every fork in the road, and that's all anyone can do.

Hang in there! This is an especially tough time to be pregnant, so be kind to yourself. It's hard even in normal times.

Thanks so much for this post. I can totally relate. So good to hear your kids are doing well (and yourself). And yes, I think considering Covid, it has just heightened everything! I am very fortunate to be able to work from home, but that also means spending so much time isolated...in my thoughts lol. Trying not to count the days! I think I'll be getting back on meds post - pregnancy as well.

[Anonymous]

I had a lot of anxiety - I had two miscarriages and then multiple IVF cycles and was super anxious by the time I was finally pregnant. Not surprisingly, I had post partum anxiety and depression as well. When my oldest was about 2 months old I started taking sertraline/zoloft which works super well for me and I was relieved to learn that it is one of the safest medications pregnant and breastfeeding moms. I went off it after a year, had a second child (much more relaxed this time even without medication) and started taking it again after he was born. I had a much easier time with my second and wish that I had taken the zoloft earlier with first.

I would definitely have a conversation about your anxiety with your OB, who can also prescribe meds for you if needed. If your OB is dismissive at all I would recommend seeing a psychiatrist while you are still pregnant, so you have someone you can turn to once the baby is here.

I would also recommend looking into a support group for new moms like PACE - https://www.pacemoms.org. It's a great way to meet other new moms and get advice and support. Best wishes to you <3

[Anonymous]

I just posted (mom of two above this post) and just read through a lot of the other replies - lots of good advice here. I just wanted to add that something that was super helpful for me in my second pregnancy was going for daily walks. I had gestational diabetes and HAD to go for walks after meals to keep my blood sugar under control, but I also think it was amazing for both my physical and mental health. I had far less swelling/edema that is very normal in your 3rd trimester with my second pregnancy, plus spending 30-45 min walking solo with an audiobook or music was very therapeutic. Exercise helps a lot with anxiety and depression as well. Keeping up your walking habit once the baby is here (honestly, it took about 3-4 weeks before I could manage this regularly) is a habit that can help your state of mind post partum as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had a lot of anxiety - I had two miscarriages and then multiple IVF cycles and was super anxious by the time I was finally pregnant. Not surprisingly, I had post partum anxiety and depression as well. When my oldest was about 2 months old I started taking sertraline/zoloft which works super well for me and I was relieved to learn that it is one of the safest medications pregnant and breastfeeding moms. I went off it after a year, had a second child (much more relaxed this time even without medication) and started taking it again after he was born. I had a much easier time with my second and wish that I had taken the zoloft earlier with first.

I would definitely have a conversation about your anxiety with your OB, who can also prescribe meds for you if needed. If your OB is dismissive at all I would recommend seeing a psychiatrist while you are still pregnant, so you have someone you can turn to once the baby is here.

I would also recommend looking into a support group for new moms like PACE - https://www.pacemoms.org. It's a great way to meet other new moms and get advice and support. Best wishes to you <3

Awesome! I appreciate you sending that support group along.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just posted (mom of two above this post) and just read through a lot of the other replies - lots of good advice here. I just wanted to add that something that was super helpful for me in my second pregnancy was going for daily walks. I had gestational diabetes and HAD to go for walks after meals to keep my blood sugar under control, but I also think it was amazing for both my physical and mental health. I had far less swelling/edema that is very normal in your 3rd trimester with my second pregnancy, plus spending 30-45 min walking solo with an audiobook or music was very therapeutic. Exercise helps a lot with anxiety and depression as well. Keeping up your walking habit once the baby is here (honestly, it took about 3-4 weeks before I could manage this regularly) is a habit that can help your state of mind post partum as well.

Hey I just started doing this. Especially with so many limited activities/social interaction during covid. This is so helpful- I need to add on audiobook on these walks.