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December 31, 2009
I am 8 months pregnant, and on occasion, experience panic attacks. I was just wondering if, since my heart rate and blood pressure rise, this will make my unborn child experience any harmful effects. I thought about calling the midwives i’m seeing, but I don’t think they know what they’re doing. I am looking for a real doctor because they are so oblivious to anything that’s truely wrong with me. (I went in for an ob appt. and gave them a urine sample, later that day i started having severe pain in the lower right side of my back, waited 2 days to see if it would subside, it didn’t. I called and asked if I should go to the hospital, they said no, and told me to stop by and drop off a urine sample the next day. I went to the er anyway, and found out that I had a severe kidney infection. They admitted me, and said my white blood cell count was 3 times the normal rate.) So, i’m asking anyone who is qualified to answer my ?. I’m worried that my child could get stressed out by my attacks. TY
I suffered both panic attacks and depression during my pregnancy and can say, from also having seen a psychologist and psychiatrist, that it will not harm your baby.
What is more of a problem is stress as this increases your cortisol level. This has no immediate impact on your baby, other than some **suggested** problems later in life – what it can do though is make labour more difficult.
It is very important that you relax and try and take things easy. I know this is easier said than done, but it sounds like you really need to change your carers.
I went with a private midwife during my pregnancy and was very happy with the care. The Business of Being Born is a great documentary and shows you what a midwife’s care *should* be like.
I trained as a Doula, but I think my experience as a mother who has panic attacks probably qualifies me to answer this question 
read comments (16)
December 31st, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Stress causes many problems, like the ones you named. I am not an expert, but I do not think that stress will cause damage, to him/her, but It can effect the developing baby, so it is important to try to maintain calm, even when it is hard. I definitely recommend seeing a Dr about it. There are some very mild subscriptions that can help, or even some mental disciplines that may work for you. You midwife should have known these.
I am sorry you are having such a poor experience with your midwife! My wife and I decided to go with a Women’s Center here in Dallas and have been very pleased with what we have experienced in comparison with a Dr. But midwives are not Dr, and should know how to give better advice than that.
You may want to look into the Bradley Method (classes) before you deliver. I know you are due soon, but you could get a lot of great things out of the class until then, especially how to stay calm.
Ricky Lake produced an excellent documentary as well, "Business of Being Born", but it sounds like you are having an experience that disproves the rule.
Sorry for that and hope things get better for you.
References :
December 31st, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I suffered both panic attacks and depression during my pregnancy and can say, from also having seen a psychologist and psychiatrist, that it will not harm your baby.
What is more of a problem is stress as this increases your cortisol level. This has no immediate impact on your baby, other than some **suggested** problems later in life – what it can do though is make labour more difficult.
It is very important that you relax and try and take things easy. I know this is easier said than done, but it sounds like you really need to change your carers.
I went with a private midwife during my pregnancy and was very happy with the care. The Business of Being Born is a great documentary and shows you what a midwife’s care *should* be like.
I trained as a Doula, but I think my experience as a mother who has panic attacks probably qualifies me to answer this question
References :
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