Feeling Torn

I have wanted a baby for soooo long. DH and I decided to start trying this upcoming March. We wanted to enjoy the holidays and b/c I am a teacher we are "trying" LOL to plan so I can be home as long as possible.

Here comes the problem, I am scared to be pregnant. I have anxiety and am on the lowest dose of zoloft. My ob told me its okay to stay on that dose during the pregnancy, but I am so scared my anxiety is going to go through the roof with pregnancy. I know I am going to feel things I have never felt and have new worries. I am petrified of child birth as well. Yet I want a baby more than anything in this world.

Is anyone else facing the same fears? How are you overcoming them? Any suggestions on what I can do to help ease my fears?

I picture the day that I get my BFP and how happy I will be and then my mind and body goes to complete fear and anxiety

Re: Feeling Torn

you never know the opposite could happen.....you could be anxiety free during the pregnancy.

My MIL has severe anxiety (and I mean severe) and she tells me she was never so calm and happy as when she was PG.....she even said she wishes she could always be PG because of how good she felt mentally.

Re: Feeling Torn

To the OP...I am in the exact same boat as you (only Lexapro not zoloft )I am sooo worried that my anxiety will get worse or unmanageable with the physical symptoms of pregnancy (I already have shortness of breath issues from anxiety!) Also I am very concerned about the post partum period (maybe even more than the pregnancy itself). I have fears I will develop severe PPD or PP anxiety and not be able to care for my child. I'm trying to work through all of the fears and not catastrophize (something I am very good at!) Just remember that if anything you are more prepared to deal with mood disorders because you have already experienced it and know when and how to seek out help. Some people are hit with it and have no idea what is going on with there bodies. So think of yourself as well educated and prepared, you have already dealt with these issues and will be ready to face whatever comes your way!

Re: Feeling Torn

I am not on any med for anxiety, but i often feel that I should be!! I can't wait to be prego and have the belly and I can't wait to hold my baby in my arms. But I am 100% petrified of giving birth - it makes me sometimes say um maybe I can wait a few more months or a year to TTC. The only thing that makes me feel better is all of the women out there that have been through it and are around to tell their story!!
I think about my sister - for her first baby I went into the room right after and she looked at me and said go get your tubes tied
But then she had another baby and when I brought that story up to her - she laughed and said that holding her baby in her arms outweighed all that she went through during labor
I think the best thing is to go no the pregnancy and parenting board and I am sure those ladies will be more than helpful in easing your fears
GL

Re: Feeling Torn

I am PG and I am on Lexapro. When I started BF'ing my son I got pretty bad Post Partum. Well with this one I started lactating early and all of that came rushing back. I was completly assured that it is okay to take and doesn't have an effect on my child. Just make sure you have a doc you trust and is there for you when you need. You may have the opposite when you get pregnant instead of anxiety you may have overwhelming joy and excitement.HTH

Re: Feeling Torn

bump for night time ladies...

Re: Feeling Torn

I don't have any experience with anxiety meds but I am VERY anxious about the idea of giving birth.

In fact the first time we BD'ed after I went off the pill, one of the first thoughts that went through my head was "OMG ....... if this works and I get pregnant, I'll actually have to go through with it, there will be no turning back!" and I am a BIG baby with anything medical procedure related and SO bad with pain!

However......... 3 weeks later I've just gotten to the point where I want a baby so bad that I just don't care about that stuff, I just want a baby and I'll deal with the anxiety of birth and all when the time comes!

Sorry, I know this really didn't address your post much, since I don't know much about meds......... but definitely try to build up a support system of people you feel comfortable talking to if you get a lot of anxiety while you're pregnant! And just know that it's TOTALLY normal to fear the unknown! If you have never been through a pregnancy before, OF COURSE you will be very nervous about it! Think of it this way... better to be anxious and overly cautious about things during those 9 months than to be one of those moms who doesn't care and drinks/smokes, etc...... You're anxious because you're human and also because you care!!