[ilanaRose]

I don't have panic attacks typically...I had one when I was 12 and one when I was a few weeks pregnant and suddenly felt too hot in the shower and like I couldn't breathe--neither one of these were related to a particular worry.

Last night however, I woke up totally randomly and feeling hot, stuffy, and like I could not breathe! Only this time, I had this sinking pit in my stomach, the type of feeling like you don't want to go to work or school in the morning, only it was all about the baby! It was this overwhelming "what am I DOING having a baby?!" anxiety and how I didn't want him to come out and was frightened! I started crying uncontrollably and could NOT breathe and it took me and my husband forever to get me to calm down... where is this coming from?! I have been excited about the pregnancy this whole time and honestly have not had any worries or fears and then ALL OF THE SUDDEN this hits me in the middle of the night out of left field?! It was terrifying and scary and made me feel horrible and guilty... perhaps I have some subconscious fears? Has anyone experienced this?

 

[rivkah]

In the past I have experienced panic attacks driving--I was almost in a crash, and I think it triggered some sort of driving phobia. The attacks were the classic hyper-ventilation, feeling like you don't have enough oxygen, being afraid of fainting. It occasionally happened when not driving, and once in the middle of the night. I was pretty lucky and just worked through them with slow breathing, and I don't have them anymore.

I think that what you are experiencing in perfectly normal. If there is anything a person should freak out about, it is bringing a person into the world! Most pregnant women experience varying degrees of nervousness, panic, and sleep interruption related to pregnancy/baby. I think if you have experienced panic attacks, this wouldn't be an unusual time for them to "flare up." Just make sure you breath slowly and make sure to EXHALE when this happens.

One thing I found is that when baby arrives, breastfeeding is such a help with relaxation.