- BellaDee
- 7 years ago
- Wedding: June 2013
Well I guess it’s only appropriate that I make a health related post since it’s been a while ๐
I’m just about 25 weeks preggo and planning a hospital birth. My husband and I toured the maternity ward yesterday, it was amazing, and became so real I was just overwhelmed with excitement.
Since about 5 weeks, I have had pretty much no anxiety whatsoever, compared to my daily pre-pregnancy worries. Even some pregnancy symptoms like dizziness, near-fainting, etc have never set off panic, rather I’m able to think more rationally and keep myself calm. It’s pretty amazing, and I credit hormones or just me getting it together for our baby.
I have health anxiety, hospitals, doctors, tests, etc really set it off. I haven’t been to a hospital for myself since I was 1 1/2 years old for 2 hernias. The hospital environment or healthcare environment I should say, does something to just set me into panic (although I bottle it in, so no one would really know).
Yesterday prior to entering the hospital for the tour, I felt anxious already, a little lightheaded but generally OK…I asked a bunch of questions, and by the end I was generally pleased and excited for everything, even today..I can’t wait to actually USE those rooms!
My question is, I still have this anxious-doom feeling for when the day comes. I heard fear of dying or something horrible happening is pretty common, and honestly at this point it crosses my mind as a thought, but no anxiety comes from it. I’m ultimately just worried that all my non-anxious thoughts will come crashing the moment it’s real and I’m in the hospital and will be all too much, since up to this point I’ve been feeling pretty awesome.
Worrying won’t prevent or help anything, and I realized that, but I guess is it common to have a panic attack in labor? I’ve tried reading up on it and most women say you’re too “in the moment” which is what I hope is the case for me. They also have medications for anxiety that will calm me, but cannot give those until just an hour or two before the estimated birth due to it crossing over to the baby.
I’ve always managed my anxiety non-medicated, and with therapy. I have come such a long way and I really would like to enjoy my birth experience. Any tips?
Thanks guys!