HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Giving birth soon

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/26/2021 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all!!! Happy thanksgiving!!
Well, let me get to it. I have massive health anxiety as it is, I’m obsessed with taking my blood pressure and I am almost always sure I have something wrong with my heart. Although my cardiologist has pretty much ruled everything out. I do have a t wave inversion though. Well I’m giving birth in less than three weeks and I’m horrified. My anxiety is so high it’s crippling!!
I gave birth to my first child February of 2017. And it was anything but joyful. I had extremely high blood pressure during birth and up to three months after. It was traumatizing!!
I never got the help I needed to go over come the bad experience. Here I am again and although my blood pressure has been fine I’m worried about going up again during labor. Anyone have any similar experiences? Or any advice?? Anything would be greatly appreciated!!!
Posted 11/26/2021 5:34 AM (GMT 0)
Hi freak. I have health anxiety too. So I guess I’m a fellow freak🙄. Most importantly, congratulations on the upcoming birth! Don’t lose sight of what a wonderful thing it is to give birth.

Talk with your ObGyn about the anxiety. S/he may be able to give you some advice and some reassurance.

You also might want to consult with a psychologist. Health anxiety responds very well to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It is really worthwhile.

You might also want to try meditation if you have not already done do. It takes practice but it’s helpful.

Our brains play tricks on us. But it’s just a trick. It makes you think you are sick even when you are perfectly healthy. And it makes us worry even when there’s nothing to worry about. But you don’t have to fall for the trick!
Posted 11/26/2021 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
Hello!! I agree! Health anxiety is very tricky. I woke up feeling like I got his by a bus a bit ago. Worrying myself to death took a toll on my mind and body. Also made my blood pressure go up to 160/93.
I’m only 29 years old, but I’ve been a prisoner of this disease for over half my life. I also agree that CBT is a great solution, but it seems like every time I get a good therapist I can actually work with , they drop me from my insurance. It’s gets tiring starting over and over again. I do try meditation when I can actually sit still and concentrate. It’s very helpful. I’m very anxious and very afraid 😧
Posted 11/26/2021 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
You may find that making the meditation a daily practice helps. All you need is 15 minutes a day. If your mind keeps wandering during the meditation, that is fine. Just bring your attention back to your breath. Then your mind will wander again. And you return to your breath. You should avoid judging whether you are meditating well or poorly. There is no such thing. If your mind wanders 500 times during one session, then so be it. If another time your mind wanders only 10 times, that is fine too.

Also maybe you should not measure your BP so often. Ask your doctor about that and follow her advice.
Posted 11/30/2021 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I agree. I do try to practice everyday. I had it down for quite some time. But with the raging hormones, the wear and tear of pregnancy, being sick with covid for 3 months, trying to maintain to my home and tend to my daughter and husband has really sent me over the edge. I had a few massive panic attacks today. And I have no support system. Everyone thinks I’m a crazy hypochondriac that needs help. I’m kind of obsessed with my heart and taking my blood pressure. I constantly think I have a heart condition that’s going to kill me. I also suffer from borderline personality disorder. I feel as if im losing my mind. Today I thought I was going to die when I had those panic attacks. I also tend to dissociate from myself during attacks. Which cause me to feel as if im in a dream or losing my mind….
Posted 11/30/2021 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you’re a very busy person who is doing your best to meet all of your responsibilities while also dealing with mental and physical health challenges, which makes things harder.

They say the people who don’t have time for meditation are those who most benefit from it. But obviously meditation alone isn’t a cure. It’s just one tool.

Hopefully you are seeing a psychologist or a psychiatrist. It’s really key to get that sort of help so you can be more calm and more happy and the best mom possible. You deserve to be happy.

Best wishes,
Medved

Post Edited (medved) : 11/30/2021 8:19:51 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/1/2021 12:40 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much for the kind words !! I’m
I’m being induced on the 8th. Which is right around the corner. My nerves are so bad right now. I just want to feel “normal” again.
Posted 12/2/2021 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
You will feel normal again. Try to make the most out of each day. What you are going through can be a great experience if you have the right mindset. It is no less than a miracle. I wish you the best.

Breathe...

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 12/2/2021 2:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Karen !
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply