Want to have a baby....

[Happy]

But....what if my heart isn't strong enough to handle it??  I have two kids already and I started having panic attacks and anxiety about 6 weeks after I had my daughter (in sept 07).  It was a really rough birth....I also took adderall during my pregnancy (drs orders)....what if this affected my heart??  I've had all the tests and a cardiologist tell me I'm fine.  I'm on 10 mg of Celexa/ day and take 0.25 mg of Xanax for acute attacks. 

Xanax is a class D drug.  I'm scared I'll have a panic attack and won't be able to take medicine.  I'm 28 and have two kids, ages 2 and 3.  I enjoyed my pregancies so much....I just want to be able to enjoy the next one without my HA getting in the way.

HAPPY

[sixpack]

A cardiologist said your heart was fine.  so your heart is strong enough to handle the pregnancy....

If Xanax is a class D med, then you shouldn't take it while pregnant.  Will you have a panic attack while pregnant?  Maybe you will.  But remember no matter how scary they are, they don't hurt you.

If you don't think you will be able to handle a pregnancy and anxiety to the point that you'll not be able to enjoy the pregnancy or cope without medications, then maybe you should postpone a new babe until you can.  However many, many women with anxiety disorders have babies and do just fine.     

[ashcrash85]

I agree with Sixpack 

I had major unrelenting anxiety just before I got pregnant with my third child. That pregnancy and labor was the worst of my three by far; yet, I didn't have anxiety or too many attacks during the pregnancy. I also worried that my heart wouldn't be able to handle labor and delivery, I was actually thinking about that DURING labor and had some palps. Didn't help me much.

However, I made it through labor and delivery with no problems and I'm here to tell the tale. When it comes down to it, if you feel you can't handle this at this time, postpone TTC until you feel more in control.

[esthergreenwood]

I have this same fear! I really ant to get pregnant (it would be our first), but I am trying to get mentally healthier first. But I am afraid that pregnancy will strain my heart too much (which I am told is fine) or that I'll die during labor. i'm hoping once I get better mentally, I won't have these fears and getting pregnant will be much less of a fear, but I get TERRIFIED of this stuff!

[BruiserBear]

I have this same fear! I really ant to get pregnant (it would be our first), but I am trying to get mentally healthier first. But I am afraid that pregnancy will strain my heart too much (which I am told is fine) or that I'll die during labor. i'm hoping once I get better mentally, I won't have these fears and getting pregnant will be much less of a fear, but I get TERRIFIED of this stuff!

What would possibly make you think your heart is not strong enough to give birth to a baby?  Any time you think of that worrying thought, remind yourself of the thousands of babies that are born every single day in this world, and how all of those mothers had hearts strong enough to do so.  I'd be willing to bet many of them aren't even as healthy as you are. 

[esthergreenwood]

I have this same fear! I really ant to get pregnant (it would be our first), but I am trying to get mentally healthier first. But I am afraid that pregnancy will strain my heart too much (which I am told is fine) or that I'll die during labor. i'm hoping once I get better mentally, I won't have these fears and getting pregnant will be much less of a fear, but I get TERRIFIED of this stuff!

What would possibly make you think your heart is not strong enough to give birth to a baby?  Any time you think of that worrying thought, remind yourself of the thousands of babies that are born every single day in this world, and how all of those mothers had hearts strong enough to do so.  I'd be willing to bet many of them aren't even as healthy as you are. 

My illogical anxiety of course!