What medicine do they give for an anxiety attack during labor?

[Anonymous]

Any experiences?

[Anonymous]

None. After delivery, they right away put ton of who knows what right in my IV. It's was so strong I was too out of it to hold baby. Awful.

[Anonymous]

OP, this is a good question to ask your medical provider, and the answer will be more accurate for your given situation.

[Anonymous]

None.

I had one (first and only) just before my c-Section began. I started crying and couldn’t catch my breath. I told my ob that I felt like I was having one, he said he could tell but that everything was fine and that the anesthesiologist would keep me calm. The anesthesiologist didn’t give me anything different, but he did have me maintain eye contact and he spoke very calmly to me while stroking my arm. He had my husband stroke my head. I felt nearly fine once the baby was out.

[Anonymous]

If you get an epidural, it will likely have some kind of narcotic in it, which should prevent panic attacks. I am a very anxious person, but totally spacey during the time I had the epidural. (Note: loved the epidural!)

I also don't think there's any reason you couldn't have a benzo like xanax as needed.

You should ask your doctor!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you get an epidural, it will likely have some kind of narcotic in it, which should prevent panic attacks. I am a very anxious person, but totally spacey during the time I had the epidural. (Note: loved the epidural!)

I also don't think there's any reason you couldn't have a benzo like xanax as needed.

You should ask your doctor!

NP. I've had 2 epidurals and never felt spacey or out of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you get an epidural, it will likely have some kind of narcotic in it, which should prevent panic attacks. I am a very anxious person, but totally spacey during the time I had the epidural. (Note: loved the epidural!)

I also don't think there's any reason you couldn't have a benzo like xanax as needed.

You should ask your doctor!

NP. I've had 2 epidurals and never felt spacey or out of it.

PP. Yes, there's a lot of variety in what they put in the epidural. I didn't feel "out of it" as in incapacitated, but I definitely felt the Fentanyl.

[Anonymous]

I had two babies sans meds (no time!) and my third and last with benefit of epidural (blissful) and whatever combo of meds was in that epidural was magical.

I had a history of panic attacks and PPD but can say that I did not have an anxiety attack during labor...not saying this can't happen but I have found that my brain switches to a different focus during intense pain or stress (even happens postpartum-I will have a migraine but not at the same time as an anxiety attack..unsure if I'm making sense here).

Close friend has a hospital phobia. She was prescribed a sedative to take en route to the hospital when she had a planned c section for her baby. She says that was the only way she could have dealt w getting to the hospital.

[Anonymous]

They give me something; I don’t know what it was. I had a panic attack on the table when I was about to have my second C-section. Baby came out slightly quiet but it wore off quickly.

[Anonymous]

When they were trying to put the epidural in me, I freaked out really badly and got so tense they couldn’t get it in. They then injected me with something that calmed me down and made me feel gooooooood.

I don’t remember what it was, which I know isn’t helpful, but I just wanted to reassure you there are things they can give you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:None.

I had one (first and only) just before my c-Section began. I started crying and couldn’t catch my breath. I told my ob that I felt like I was having one, he said he could tell but that everything was fine and that the anesthesiologist would keep me calm. The anesthesiologist didn’t give me anything different, but he did have me maintain eye contact and he spoke very calmly to me while stroking my arm. He had my husband stroke my head. I felt nearly fine once the baby was out.

Very similar experience but the anesthesiologist did give me something. I’m not sure what but they could tell I was struggling and I remember them saying they were giving me something to help calm me down. It worked wonders, it was like the fog (I had pre partum depression and did not want to meet my baby) was lifted the minute I heard the cry.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't progressed enough for an epidural and cervical checks caused such immense pain and I couldn't tolerate them. I didn't realize I could decline cervical checks and they gave me a little bit of morphine. I wouldn't recommend it all. I was am overwhelmed FTM giving birth at the height of the pandemic and didn't know any better.

[Anonymous]

get a doula

[Anonymous]

I got panicky during my c section. I had talked to the anesthesiologist about it ahead of time, and he said there was something he could give me as soon as the baby was out if I truly panicked but he didn’t like to give it because it caused some moms to not be able to remember the birth (which the moms didn’t like). So he recommended that I try to do it without. I panicked throughout the c section. I felt like I couldn’t breathe. Everyone kept assuring me that I was breathing. After the baby was out, he asked if I wanted the medicine. I said yes. He reminded me that I might give me amnesia. I think I yelled, “I don’t care!” He gave it to me, and I stopped panicking. I still remember the birth. But it would be ok with me if I didn’t.

[Anonymous]

I have serious anxiety, and have had 4 kids. I’ve felt a lot of anxiety as labor approaches (regular mindfulness and exercise as treatment then), but when I start labor, the mental angst is replaced with focus. It’s a biological switch, not a mental one. I mean, Ive had some pretty awful panic attacks, but I just can’t imagine being in active labor and having one. It’s just such a consuming physical experience.