subject: Pregnancy Panic Attacks - What You Should Know [print this page] A pregnancy panic attack can cause quite alot of concern. It is already a full plate just being pregnant and dealing with the symptoms associated with it already. The symptoms of panic attacks can mimic other medical conditions and is a valid reason to be concerned.
To be on the safe side, especially when pregnant, is to get a checkup and rule out the possibility of any other medical issues. This is important as it will ease your mind and reduce anxiety a bit during this critical stage.
For some, panic attacks only start occurring when pregnancy begins or after it ends. Others may have been dealing with it before the pregnancy for months or years. It is crucial to avoid making rash decisions during this period, as it is not uncommon to question just about everything in your life.
There are some shared symptoms between the attacks and pregnancy. Some of them are the nausea, fatigue, headaches, and irritability. It can be difficult to tell the source of these, but there are also some differences with the panic attacks. Some of these are the constant worrying, anticipating the worst outcomes, and constantly on the watch out for danger.
The actual panic attacks when they happen are easier to tell apart, primarily due to the intense waves of fear and panic. It also involves hyperventilation which can become increasingly difficult to deal with the further into pregnancy you get. Why is this the case?
As the pregnancy goes further along, the symptoms of panic attacks may often feel amplified. It is not just the panic attack, but experiencing it and the fear of harming the baby. Fortunately, the panic or anxiety attacks normally will not cause harm to the baby. With this being said however, there is another precaution to take.
When nearing the final phases things can really get out of control. Stomach cramps are also a symptom of a panic and anxiety attack. This can spark enormous amounts of fear, especially when considering that the baby is due fairly soon. It can be troublesome to tell contractions apart until it really starts. During this time, try to remain around the company of other family, friends, and significant other. This way, should the contractions really start before the time determined by a doctor, you can have help available during this critical time.
