I had a small panic attack this morning. I had to make myself calm down for the baby.

If any of you had panic attacks during your pregnancies, at what point did they get better for you? What was that pivotal moment when you said "I'm not doing this anymore" and what caused it?

What helps you?

I do deep breathing but dang I'd love to just simply not have the attack in the first place!

hi kittee! i have suffered from panic attacks for about 17 years so i know what you go through. i have taken beta blockers for this for a long while but stoped taking them when trying for the sake of my baby. i also used to enjoy a drink before social occassions to ease my nerves. i haven't had tablets and obviously no booze since BFP and had my first panic attack when i went to see midwife last week. for me it's a real case of shyness and not liking to be centre of attention. midwife made me feel worse by saying i would be under a consultant for my preganacy as i'm not 'normal'. i work full time and am happily married, i'm totally 'normal' whatever that is, i'm just shy! anyway i'm waffling! i sat and i breathed as best i could. i also do this thing in my head when i try to think of a food begining with a, b, c, d, e etc. i know i got the red rash up my neck and the midwife clocked it but other than that i was pretty pleased with how i faced my fears and dealt with them. i just keep thinking i don't want this baby to be as underconfident as me and that if i can control them now, he/she may grow up not to have them!
i hope this helps and if you ever need to pm me, feel free maybe we can help each other xxxxx

i have had panic attacks coming off of hormones in fertility treatment, and ive had mainl panic attacks during my sleep...and wake up sweating. What i do is i come downstairs, make myself a nice camomile, and tell myself its ALL THE hormones, ...thats it....cos yur body is just all messed up at the moment. Please dont worry, its just our bodies way of coping with these massive changes....you will be fine. Try cutting out all caffeine, chocolate and stuff with any sweetners in....drink and eat only the purest foods, without any additives, you should get through them alot better....xxx

Yep I cut out caffeine two weeks ago, what gets me most the time is heart palpitations. The doctors so far seem to think nothing of them!! I've had ekgs in the past and all was well so they say they are stress related. OF COURSE THEY ARE. LOL

Doesn't help me feel any better though when they are happening!

This advice may not be helpful, as I've had panic attacks for a few years now.

There are a few different things you could try, but all methods are so specific to the individual that most or all might fail, but giving them a bash can only help.

1) Rythmic chewing; I learnt this one through trial and error - If you keep a packet of chewing gum in your bag, pop some in when you feel yourself going, and keep a count of each chew, and make sure to keep the same beat going. All it does is regulate your breathing, and makes you think about keeping it going, as opposed to getting more flustered.

2) Counting - This is similar to daisydoo's method, of just distracting yourself. When I feel myself going, I like to make patterns of whatever I see, and then do little maths sums from it. 4 ceiling tiles + 7 posters, for example.

3) Calms tablets - Now, I'm not sure if these are allowed during pregnancy, but quite a few people swear by them to take off the panicy edge.

4) Strict time planning - If at all possible, make sure that every part of your day is planned, (Mine never is, so this has never been tried for me, but has been suggested to help) so that your mind is moving fluidly from one task to another, without having the chance to go into the panicing.


There are loads more though.

Hope this helps, and I really hope that your attacks stop soon on their own.

I did so good for two years! No attacks...then a couple weeks ago I had one...and well.. now I know why! It's gotta be the hormones!

Hiya - I have suffered with panic attacks in the past and I know how you feel I also suffered with palpitations to thinking I'm going to die AWFUL!


I started looking into CBT cognitive behavioral therapy its really good and you can buy books with self help exercises I also used Bach's remedy sprays not sure if you can use them now ask chemist!

I now know when I start to get a bit anxiuos what I can do to stop having an attack is believe that nothing bad is going to happen Ive been here many a time before and that Im alright, you will get there