Do you think I'm putting my baby at harm?

[palapenio]

I truly believe that its easier when I know what im thinking i beleive that i have anxiety for a reason and that i should solve the problem not cover it up.

I dont even take meds for headaches anymore because im a strong believer in the body.

The one thing im worried about tho is if CAS try to get me to take meds and they keep saying that im putting my baby at harm. Does anyone know what would be a good idea?

[forestbythesealady]

Has CAS actually said you are putting your baby at harm? No one can FORCE you to take medication, by the way. I agree that sometimes we have anxiety for a reason, but sometimes our bodies get into the habit of responding in a negative way and that anxiety gets in the way of being able to figure out the cause. It also makes our quality of life poor...depending on the amount of anxiety you have. I know that over the years I have become hyper-sensitive to things and sometimes my anxiety and panic just zoom without warning. I take Paxil, which has helped somewhat, and that allows me to respond to things a little better. Not always, but at least it took away a lot of my panic attacks.

[forestbythesealady]

Oh, and if your anxiety doesn't get in the way of being a mom, I don't see how it could harm your child. I mean, if you were neglecting your child because of your anxiety, that's one thing. But, just because you have anxiety doesn't make you a bad mom!

[sixpack]

I'm sorry but I don't know what CAS is. 

But forestbythesealady is right.  No one can make you take the meds.

Some meds are harmful to a babe while you are pg, but some aren't an issue.  Quite a few pregnant ladies take anti-depressent while pregnant.  I took zoloft while nursing my 6th, for instance.

 

[forestbythesealady]

I guessed that CAS was something like Child and Family Services. Not sure if that's right though. Also, I guess I am  unclear as to whether your baby is already born or not. I assumed it was.

[sixpack]

she's a couple of days or so passed due.  Poor thing having to go passed your due date.

[wannabfree]

I agree that I have anxiety for a reason, like I’m trying to send myself a message about things I would rather not confront or face, which is one reason I decided to not take meds. I agree with forestbythesealady that sometimes, some people need meds. They can be and have been a real lifesaver to many many people. I just figured I need to sort some of my issues my own way, because I know some of the reasons why I have anxiety and I need to face those issues.

A lot of times, taking meds is about how severe your anxiety is at the time. I had really really really bad anxiety when I had my second child. It wasn’t due to having him that I had anxiety, I was just going through a lot of stuff in my personal life and it was right after I had him. This was the first time in my life that I experienced GAD, at least at this elevated level, and worry, fear, and preoccupation seemed to dominate my days. I don’t like to think about my anxiety at this time because it really seemed to overshadow so many happy moments and a lot of those sweet baby moments. I was there with my son, but it wasn’t how I wanted to be there for him. I was always anxious, always tense, nervous, worried, and because I wasn’t the person I wanted to be for my children, I was getting quite depressed. The problems of my personal life and my subsequent anxiety were very difficult for me and affected my life and my children’s lives. I went through this time med free, but only because I was scared of meds. I knew what my problems were, what was causing me anxiety, and I felt hopeless to change the situation. If I wasn’t so scared of meds, I probably would have had an easier time getting through this period of my life. However, as much as my anxiety/depression affected me, I was there for my children, I always showed them love and I tried to do better each day. Maybe it was far from ideal, but I was never in any way a harm to my children because I decided to not take meds (to be honest, I never even mentioned my anxieties, problems to anyone during this time).

When I had my third child, my anxieties returned. Again, it wasn’t having my son that made me anxious, it was the same ongoing personal problems. However, in the two years between each child, I had learned how to manage my anxiety better. I knew why I  had anxiety, and why I needed to manage it, and I was slowly starting to face the reasons I have anxiety. I had normal, everyday parental anxieties, but I was nowhere near how I was the two years prior. Even after my anxiety returned, again due to ongoing issues in my life, I was never at any point, a harm to my children being med-free.

The point to my ramble is it may depend on where you are in your anxiety recovery and how well you are managing your anxiety right now, and after the birth of your daughter. Also, it depends on how the old post partum hormones affect you. Though going med free may seem ideal, there is no harm in being open to the taking them if you need them, however, by no means should you be forced to take meds unless you have an actual reason to take them. Like sixpack said, no one can make you take the meds.

It’s cool you don’t take pain meds for headaches. That’s one of the few pains I cannot function well with…I run to the Tylenol as soon as I feel one coming on!

One thing your post wasn’t clear on, what exactly is the CAS, as I assume it’s some sort of Child and Family Service? And for what reasons do they think you’ll be a harm to your child if you’re not on meds?

[forestbythesealady]

Ugh. Having to go past your due date is not fun. That alone would increase someone's anxiety level. My son was three weeks early and that wasn't soon enough!

Wannabefree, I understand what you are saying. And, you're right, it really does depend on how severe the anxiety is and how it affects a person's life. I, too, am a medicine phobic. I was so afraid of taking any kind of medication that my anxiety/panic disorder had me homebound for a year (that was over twenty years ago). At that time a doctor finally convinced me to try Klonopin. I'm glad I did. It really helped me and got me mobile again. I still had anxiety, but it was manageable. Then, about ten years ago the bad anxiety and panic came back. (It was always there, but I was still able to live my life while I struggled with it.) I was unable to leave the house and it was crucial that I became mobile right away. At that point in time I was back in college (I was 38 yrs old) and did not want to screw that up. So, I tried Paxil. Thank goodness I did. It got me mobile again and controlled my panic attacks. I take the lowest doses possible because I still fear medicine. But, I'm more afraid of having the debilitating panic and anxiety.

I still have to manage my anxiety and even get panic attacks on occasion, but I really don't want to up my dose of medication. My anxiety gets bad when I have been sleep deprived and/or am dealing with lots of stressful things for a long period of time, which I think is normal for any anxiety sufferer. I've been a really good mom even with my anxiety issues (in my opinion!).

You know, the CAS person has their own opinion about drugs and anxiety. It doesn't mean it is the RIGHT thing to do. I'm sure MANY women...even non-anxiety sufferers...have experienced tremendous stress when being pregnant. If you had no involvement with CAS this would be a non-issue. So, you do what you feel is best for you. And, talk to your doctor about it. He/she might be able to guide you.

[palapenio]

I would like to start to say that I REALLY appreciate your concerns and tips and opinons.

SOrry I wasnt specific on what CAS is ... it is in fact a child protective service.

My worker is just LITERALLY making me like the worst parent alive and the same with my doctors Obestrition my pschyiatrist and every other doctor ive seen.

They think im not normal and cant handle my baby and on top of it all they keep picking on my fiance and saying hes abusive and that i shouldnt be with him... he's taking anger management for his anger (his choice) but is not abusive.

I havent had an anxiety attack in a LONG while and I think the only reason i FEEL anxious is because I honestly feel like I'm going to be pregnant forever and I'm just worried about my daughter and how shes living in there at themoment.

I think the most positive thing going on for her right now is that I'm not all shaky al the time. I have ativan for the moments that are difficult .

The thing that is making me anxious about the Child case worker is that she says that i need it and keeps saying that me being anxious around her her destroying her little mind and then istart crying and its just so unbearable I dont understand what im doing wrong???

I've quit smoking for her and learnt different breathing techiniques and even created a 5-6 step plan on getting off an "anxiety trip" and even got a school credit for it and I am graduating which is another good thing I'm doing for her cause ill be going to college by next fall (not this fall.)

[forestbythesealady]

Palapenio,

How old are you? I'm guessing around 18? It sounds like the CAS person is being protective of you. But, she is kind of over-stepping a bit. It sounds like you are doing all you can about the anxiety situation. You don't have age on your side, so I think the CAS worker thinks it's okay for her to tell you what to do. It would be nice if she just made suggestions, but she doesn't have the right to bully you! It isn't like you are doing CRACK! Last I heard, anxiety was NOT illegal! geeeez! The baby is fine, by the way. They like those cramped quarters.

Now, the abusive fiance thing. I'm glad he is taking anger management classes. It sounds like the CAS person wants you to be aware of what abuse is. If he is getting angry and yelling at you, etc., that isn't a good thing. But, I hope the anger mgmt classes help him and your relationship. Having a baby is very stressful and even more so when you are very young. It sounds like you have your baby's well being first in your mind though. That's a great start to being a mom! In your situation, your actions will speak volumes to those people around you. At some point they will see that you can handle things. Do you have family that you live with? Are they being supportive? I hope so. You need supportive people around you.

Good luck!

[palapenio]

well I totally appreciate your opinion it really helped me out. I am infact 18 and the anger management course is for us to know how to deal with our anger when we are under stress and pressures.

I think your right that she'll eventually catch on that I do know what i'm doing and will trust my decisions on taking meds or not and if i need meds i'll know very well that i do.

thank you

[faithingod]

Hey there!

I am a believer in body/soul healing also! I did what the doctors said, taking Ativan, Hydroxyzine, Paxil... and it made me live like a mummy. I came off and went thru withdrawal but during that stage I was never tempted to pick up a pill. Even through the worst moment and days I knew that it would just take a little time. I recommend therapy and support groups (like this lovely support group :) ). A lot of people recommend breathing techniques, I think that sounds awesome too, I'd like to try that also. You know yoga might be good for you too, and good for your pregnancy (you're pregnant right?). I think you are a good mom, you are showing a lot of concern. I hope things are going well between you and your boyfriend, you really need positive support and healthy friendships/relationships right now. You should try to distance yourself from people who are negative in your life. You don't need that. You're missing out on the happiness of parenthood. I'm sorry that CAS is in your life like this, just keep your head up. This is only a temporary problem. Just take care of yourself and that baby the best way you can :) and don't be afraid to ask for help (just as long as it is from people who truly care and want to help you).

~Des (FaithInGod)

[palapenio]

thank you lots.

The only reason I'm in CAS right now is cause of my public health nurse who over heard me on the phone saying i had a panic attack and ended up vomiting my braisn out and she called CAS cause she felt that I was putting myself under a lot of stress and wanted me to seek help.

CAS is not help but w.e.

I'm doing a lot better with the anxiety I'm not anxious anymore i was last night but thats cause i have a phobia of illnesses and that wholoe pandemic thing flew me over board but i'm happier and my fiance and I are just great in terms of our relationship so I'm not scared of my worker just worried that she may say something that'll make me anxious and i dont want to prove her right. My fiance said he has my back and he said to NEVER say when I'm ancxious to anyone but him and said that it's in my mind and that i should be able to deal with it by myself or with him... he in other words wants to make sure that nobody tries to intervein and make me worse so I think I'll be okay I jsut thought I was being a bad mom ignoring " a proffesional" as the worker put it saying that the proffesional is always righ. I told her to keep her negative opions to herself and hung up.