Depression and extreme anxiety during pregnancy. Please help?
I was left by my “boyfriend” after I refused to terminate the pregnancy. I do not have any relatives here and no support whatsoever. Ever since I was about 22 weeks I have had depression. The worst of all are the attacks of panic/extreme anxiety that come about weekly epecially at night when I cannot sleep and contemplate my miserable situation, usually cry excessively etc. These are followed by uncontrolable fear for baby’s health. I am convinced that she is going to be damaged by all this, that such strong panic attacts cannot leave her unaffected. This makes me cry even more because at this point I love her beyond anything. My midwife tells me that baby’s health cannot be affected by my emotional state and it calms me for a few days or even a week and afterwards, the same thing starts all over.
I eat well, take care of myself physically but emotionally – I am a ruin. Has anyone been through hell like this and still had a normal healthy baby? what are the possible effects?
I regret not having taken medication but I am already 37 weeks and whatever harm is done, its done.
Tagged with: anxiety • depression • during • extreme • help • Please • pregnancy
Filed under: Depression during Pregnancy Effects on Baby
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Personally, I would go see an OB who can prescribe you medication that is safe during pregnancy. You should have to live this way.
You need to try and calm down a bit hun and no its not good for the baby, babies can pick up these things and in extreme cases u will bring on premature labour. Havin a baby should be the happiest and one of the most exciting times in ur life. Once the baby is born go to baby groups and play groups and u will meet new friends and people who will turn out to be a wonderful support network for u. And him leavin u jus proves what kinda person he is and really would u want his support now? U also need to eat ur baby relys on ur nutrition intake hun for its growth and healthy entry to this world. Heres my email addy if u eva wanna talk stacie_3006@hotmail.com
xxx
A good friend went through the EXACT same thing. She has a healthy one year old girl. Try to relax and ask your doctor about perscriptions for panic attacks. She had to take them during her second and third trimesters. Good luck!
with my first baby i was in your position my boyfriend left me to deal with it all on my own and refused to acknowledge she was his baby
well i had the worst pregnancy from stress to worry about miscarriage i have had two so was on my mind alot back then i had problem after problem and ended up being induced because i had preelampsia horrible
i had postnatal depression after she was born and could not cope i was only 19 though did not have a clue what i was doing
I’m sorry your feeling this way but you will come out fine and be a good mum even without that jerk of a boyfriend
i now have a beautiful 9 year old and even after all i went through she turned out great
try and think of something positive look to the future you have a beautiful baby growing inside you that’s what will get you through
good luck i wish you all the best!!
Hey I just logged on and noticed your question. Your midwife is not being honest with you.. When you hurt or your in an emotional state it does affect your little one. I wnt thru depression really bad when I had my daughter, however I decided to do other thinkgs to keep myself together. Its hard I know but you can make it. my daughter will be 3 next friday and she is perfectly fine with the exception of her little temper tantrums. I would not recommend medication because it is addicting however they do help I took lexapro it was just hard for me to get off of them.. Just pray keep your head together and be strong .. I use to go to the baby stores and walk around just to imagine the little bundle of joy I was having you will be fine
I too am going through my pregnancy alone and feel depressed about it from time to time. Here are some things that have helped me.
Support Groups – Al Anon is a support group for loved ones of alcoholics which I attend weekly because my ex (the sperm donor) was an alcoholic. Being in a support group has helped me sort through a lot of the issues that got me here and I believe is guiding me so that I don’t make the same mistake twice. There are many different kinds of support groups, I don’t know if your ex had any problems of that sort. I also am a member of a few online support groups for single moms, my favorite is on babyfit.com, but cafemom.com has good ones too. You can also look on meetup.com to find single mom groups you can meet in person, if that interests you.
Get a therapist – if you are terribly depressed, seek professional help. This does not mean you have to get on medication, but having a professional help you sort through your feelings can be a huge relief. I am on the lookout for one who works with codependency issues and the 12 steps, as I am going through the 12 steps for codependency. If you aren’t comfortable with a therapist, find a new one.
Spirituality – This doesn’t have to mean religion. Strengthening my spirituality really helped me though. If you are religious, find a church you like that is also accepting of you in your situation. The last thing you need right now is to be judged by a bunch of hypocrites.
I’m going to recommend a book I recently read as well. I found it to be very empowering. It’s called The Single Womans Guide to a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy, by Mari something or other. It was great. I can’t say enough about it. You can find it for pretty cheap used on Amazon.
You can check out her website at http://www.singlepregnancy.com.
Good luck and congrats on your new baby! If nothing else, keep in mind that this baby obviously helped you dodge a bullet. You didn’t know what a creep your ex was until you got pregnant. Imagine if you had wasted one more minute of your valuable time on him!
If you ever need to talk, feel free to message me.
Depression is not going to cause your baby any physical harm unless it is resulting in you doing physical harm to yourself. Your midwife is obviously experienced and practical. You might also look into reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin, for further insight on taking meds while pregnant.
By the way, I know you’re almost due, but you will find that first book I suggested just as wonderful after having the baby as you will while you’re pregnant.
Good luck again!
You just have work on your miserable situation. File for child support, see if you can qualify for state day care and ect. Ones you will feel more stable you will eliminate some of the worries and you will fill better. many woman went thru the same situation, just stop crying, take a deep breath and start helping yourself begin a new life. You can do it. Girl who kept the baby in your situation can do everything.