[dharmama]

I'm 5 weeks today and had a rough night last night....woke up a lot with random anxiety....what if something happend to DH....what if something happened to my parents...what if something happened to the baby....all kinds of scary thoughts kept racing through my head in the wee hours of the night.

After tossing and turning for what feels like hours, I finally rolled over onto my back...put my hands on my belly and started breathing in slowly....imagining myself breathing in peace/safety/comfort etc. and breathing out fear. That helped and I FINALLY got back to sleep.

I'm also finding myself REALLY freaked out during the day. Like I keep thinking someone is going to pop out from behind the bushes and attack me in the middle of the day. I've NEVER been like this before so I'm pretty sure it's pregnancy related. I guess I'm just feeling REALLY vulnerable all of the sudden.

And the other thing that is making me feel anxious is that I really have NO pregnancy symptoms in the last few days. Last week my breasts were sore and I was constipated (but thank God....I got that under control). This week...I feel totally normal. I don't go to see my midwife for another month or so (they see you between 8-10 weeks). So I'm just feeling kind of weird....like I want to be totally positive but I keep having all these anxious thoughts creep in.

Has anyone else dealt with early pregnancy anxiety? What are your relaxation techniques? Any good healthy pregnancy visualizations that you can share?

~Erin

 

[mamaroni]

Check out hypnobirthing and/or meditation, and maybe some yoga too. I know that Hypnobirthing helped me a great deal with letting go of my fears.

Congratulations!

 

[Jacqueline]

Hi, Erin-
Sorry you have been feeling uneasy...I experienced some of that a couple weeks ago, too. I had so much trouble sleeping for the first week after we found out I was pregnant. It was nerves, worries, concerns, etc. I am now sleeping much better and I'm not sure what happened to change that! DH and I have tried to resume our normal schedule of 20 minutes of silent meditation/prayer in the morning, and I've found that extremely helpful. I know you teach yoga, so I'm guessing that's got to help some. I've also just really been trying to stay present to the moment as much as possible. That's tough when there's so much to think about and plan for.

As I near the time of the month that would have been when my period is due, I had a dream last night that I bled slightly. I used to get these all the time right before AF showed up. This concerns me slightly, but I just have to remember that I've still got the same symptoms, no cramping or bleeding...all's well. I truly believe this baby is going to stick. But, we've also decided to tell our family and friends this coming weekend, so perhaps that's why some of these fears are resurfacing.

Anyway, I don't know that I gave you any helpful information at all...just know that some of us are in a similar place. It's a little different than I thought it would be, this whole pregnancy experience. I welcome it and am truly overjoyed by it, but it's just a bit more overwhelming than I thought during our many months of trying! At least we all get to go through this together...

Peace-

 

[dharmama]

Thanks you guys!!

I talked with DH about it a bit this morning. He could really relate to what I was feeling (which was nice....doesn't always work that way). He said the day after I told him I was pregnant he had major anxiety attacks at work....wondered if his job was secure....do we have enough savings...insurance etc.

Seems like what we are feeling is pretty normal -- BIG life changes ahead!!!

I will definitely look into hypnobirthing! Thanks for the suggestion.

Yoga and meditation have been a big part of my life for many years. I even teach prenatal yoga and have so many students write and tell me how much my class comforted them and supported them during their pregnancy.....but now that it's me.....my body....my baby......wow! It's really knocked me from my center.

I'm going to enroll in a prenatal yoga class shortly.....my turn to be a student!

Thanks again for your replies....much appreciated!

~Erin

 

[acystay]

I have panic attacks too. I'm now 30 wks pg. My mw suggested a bach flower remedy which helps me sooo soooo sooo soooo much! I do yoga too, but not everyday. Maybe 2X a week and that has helped too.

 

[Jish]

Erin, coming from someone who suffers from anxiety and depression I feel your pain. It can be frustrating not to feel like you can enjoy this yet. After trying for 9 months I can only imagine how nervous you must be about this pregnancy holding on. I'm praying for you daily, if that helps.

Pregnancy symptoms can wax and wane. I wouldn't worry too much (this coming from the girl who called the doctor this pregnancy because my symptoms disappeared for a day

: ). My pregnancy symptoms didn't kick in with any of my pregnancies until about six weeks or so, but when they did -- WHAMMO! Then I felt bad for complaining that I hadn't "felt" pregnant until then.

As far as the anxiety goes, here is something that has worked for me this pregnancy to keep me off my med. If I feel that the anxiety is becoming a bit overwhelming I take five minutes (or whatever time amount you feel you need) and all I do is worry about whatever is worrying me. Write down your worries if you need to, sometimes that makes the worries seem pretty silly when you look at them when you are in a better place. I found that when I actually tried to worry and be anxious I couldn't do it. My rational brain took over and told me how silly I was being. This may not work for everyone, but it worked for me much better than trying simply not to worry.

Also, zinc is supposed to help with anxiety, though I can't remember the dosage you should take.

Good luck, and I hope you get to feel the joy of pregnancy soon.

 

[its_our_family]

I think feeling this way is normal.

As for pg symptoms...sometimes they take awhile to start. I bet in about 2 weeks you'll be puking your brains out

ANd in a couple months you'll be feeling very very pregnant and you'll look back and think....if I could just have one day of feeling normal.... Plus, since we all know it is for a good reason it helps!

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[wildthing]

Hey Erin!
I have to remember to look for your new name! :LOL

I also have dealt with anxiety and depression for a while. Yes, I get to feeling anxious about things...seems like it is something different every day.

:

I agree with what Jish suggested...take a little time, and feel the emotion. I call it "discharging" (actually, it is from something I practice on a regular basis...I didn't make up the term) But I totally let the emotion wash over me, for however long it takes, sometimes 5 minutes, usually not more than 20-30 minutes. I also say positive affirmations, my favorite, all-purpose one being "I decide to put my attention on reality, all the time." Not on the "what if's", but on what is really going on right now. I also try not to put my attention on things I have no control over. It is hard sometimes, but this is how I manage to get through the roughest times.

 

[dharmama]

Donna, Beth, Megan, Stacy, Jacqueline, yogamama....thank you so much for your support and great ideas. MUCH appreciated.

I slept really well last night. Took a LONG walk today during my lunch break...lots of deep breathing and big sighs...feeling my fears and then letting them go...felt really good...

Thanks for being here.

~Erin