Advice for How to Deal with Anxiety During Pregnancy Without Meds

I had this same thing during my last pregnancy. I had "head rushes", sometimes 30 a day, some days none. Along with those I would have heart palpitations as well. I know being upset caused them, but also low blood sugar. Make sure you are eating regularly and heartily, I know that is not always easy as a mom. And stay hydrated. I think exercise is also important, like yoga or dancing, something fun and relaxing, but also stimulating. And of course a good night's sleep. So, nothing you didn't already know. I was so relieved when these symptoms died down after the birth. It seems so long when you are experiencing them and it feels like there is such a cramp in your lifestyle, but it will get better! My husband had to pick up so much slack I got to feeling guilty for being unable to do more. It was a good glimpse of life with a newborn again. Take care!

Hello,
depression and anxiety, I have been there and working to get away from it. I think that the book " the secret" has helped me so much. If you sit and think about the anxiety you will make sure to be anxious, sounds crazy but it has taken me years to figure this out.

Hi T.!
There are some plant based natural herbs that help. I'm a personal wellness coach and I have a client who was on anxiety meds. She switched to some natural herbal supplements I recommended for her and she likes how it just calms her nerves without feeling like she's knocked out. She's now off the meds. Good nutrition and yoga will probably help. It helps me. Would you like to talk more about this herbal supplement? Feel free to call my office number 888-236-4453.
-O.

I would suggest getting a pregnancy work-out (because that produces endorphines and they make you happy), meditating at least 5 minutes a day, listening to music you LOVE, and DOING something you LOVE -- make goals and accomplish them. Make sure you spend quality time with your children and that you go on dates with your husband at least once a month, if not once a week.

Hi T.--
My situation is a bit different, but I wanted to respond in case it could help.

I struggle with anxiety and depression in regular life, but in pregnancy it is exacerbated and I also try not to take the meds. With my first, I was still working, so I eventually had to start taking them again just to function. With my second, I was at home, so I just made do. But I also made one change that I think is significant--I started taking fish oil, and have not stopped. I take Nordic Naturals, because it is so thoroughly tested, but lots of them are these days. I take the type with lots of DHA for support during pregnancy and lactation (that's what the label says). It may sound odd, but I swear I can tell the difference if I take it or if I don't. I also had success using flower essences, which are totally safe, but I didn't find them until after I had the baby.

And the final thing I've added in is meditation, when I can manage it. Usually I try to meditate as I'm laying in bed trying to fall asleep. If I don't actually have time to relax, at least I'm sleeping. :) But seriously, taking time to center yourself, to calm yourself and focus on the energy and strength within you, can be a powerful tool. I realize you cannot have much extra time, but stopping for even 10 minutes every day and just taking time to breathe and clear your mind is really helpful.

I'm still nursing, so I've been pretty motivated to stay off my medication, but honestly, with all of these things (plus reading Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, which was an amazing catalyst and which I highly recommend), I am as happy and normal as I've been in a long time.

I wish you all the best.

T.,
How my heart goes out to you. I've had severe anxiety too. I had it severely prior to and during my pregnancy with my 3rd child. I too am a type A personality and a Christian. I kept thinking "I should be trusting God with this", but I couldn't. I was convinced that something bad was going to happen. I was certain that God was going to "take me home" at a time when I just wanted to be alive and be a good mommy. I was convinced that my church family couldn't know about it because they would think I didn't have faith and wasn't a "good Christian". I ended up in the ER several times also (and the dr. there was not reassuring--I hope you had a comforting experience). I was also nervous about caring for an additional child when I seemingly couldn't take care of myself. If any of this sounds familiar, I am so sorry. I actually wasn't trying to get pregnant and had taken meds the first few weeks of my pregnancy before I knew. Then I quit the heavy ones when I found out. A couple things helped: I stuck to a low carb diet--I reduced sugar, this helped with the physical symptoms. Also, when you feel the lightheaded feeling, know that you will not pass out. Focus on your belly as a balloon and try to fill it up with air and then breath out(exhale to let it out). I began journaling. And I began to be honest about what was going on with me with close people around me. I had a couple people I could share with at church and they surrounded me with love and prayer. Once I had a base of people that knew me inside and out, I felt like I could relax a bit. I did stay on a low dose of zoloft for my pregnancy though.
The biggest thing that I've had to learn is that God actually loves me and wants to intervene in my life. The gift of His Son was not simply for "fire insurance" from hell, but for living here. God wants you to be healthy. God wants to give you good things. God loves you and you are amazing to Him. It sounds silly that I called myself a Christian and didn't actually feel like God loved me, but that was the truth. May you know the depth of His love and passion for you.
Since giving birth 3 years ago, I have also started on fish oil, which has helped a lot. Nordic Naturals is a safe brand.
Having the comfort of knowing someone who has been through it is also incredible. Please feel free to email me back. I'd be happy to talk with you more. I too live in the country and while it is beautiful and amazing, there is a little bit of stress with that too--you feel farther from medical help, from convenience. I will pray for you. This will get better. You will feel better!

M.

I would suggest you get ino reading. Try Eckhart Tolle's Power of Now. simple Abundance is good too. Try Oprah's XM and Soul Series. You can get onto the Oprah.com and checkout the archives from last season. Their is a variety of guests talking about being in the present moment, etc. hey are only 30 minutes easy to get a viewing in. Just try it, change your mind and your body will follow. Also, you aren't taking any pre-natals are you? Double check those to make sure they don't have something in them. I had dizzy spells and it turnes out one of mine had peanut oil in it!

Oh my dear! just your "little about me" gives me anxiety-it's a wonder you have lasted this long without stressing. You are doing SO much! You need to just make a little time slot daily to do something only for you. Your "be selfish" time. Take a nice 30 min bubble bath, take time to use some lotion afterwards and maybe some preggo yoga (I love doing the yoga first and then the bath-talk about some relaxing stuff!!) you need to be telling yourself that you ARE a great mom! and you ARE deserving of time for yourself! the yoga video I have is by Gaiam Prenatal Yoga- they have yoga for all three trimesters.

T., There is a book called "Tapping the Healer Within" It is amazing how tapping certain meridians can help with anxiety and stress. I used this "Tap therapy" to relieve my axiety about climbing on a roof. I was terrified to do some roofing but knew it had to get done. I just got through reading this book and decided to see if it really worked. TO my amazement it surpassed my expectations. I did a series of tapping that took all of 25 seconds, and relaxed for a few minutes. After about 5 minutes or so, I was ready to get on the roof and work. My anxiety never returned. I know this would help you feel normal again. And you use yourself to get better, not some chemicals. I wish you all the best.

Along with the herbs some omega 3s would help your depression. I have started fish oil recently and my head feels a lot clearer. Walnuts and flax seed are also a good source.