Anyone have mild panic attacks and afraid to be pregnant?

[pattieh]

I feel silly asking this question but am curious to know if there's anyone out there who's going through the same thing. I have mild panic attacks and start to hyperventilate when I feel enclosed (especially in airplanes, but for some reason I'm okay in most elevators) or feel as if I don't have enough oxygen. I've read that in the first or second trimester that the baby can put pressure against ones lungs and one can have trouble catching one's breath. This whole idea freaks me out and I'm afraid that I could have a panic attack while pregnant and won't know what to do. I know it's not good to think of negative things - I also read that I fear of getting pregnant can also contribute to difficulty in getting pregnant.

Anyone else have the same problem?

[SilverAngel679]

Sounds like your claustrophobic to me. I am too, I have a mild to moderate fear of being closed in and not able to breathe. I must say though that this has never been an issue with me as far as being affraid that the baby will suffocate me.
I'm 8 1/2 months with twins right now and I can actually say that I haven't had any shortness of breath. Maybe you'll be the same way. I would speak to a doctor about it though. Maybe you can do like hypno-therepy to calm the phobia.

[smithmac]

I am the exact same, I don't freak out about the breathing, I just freak out like wanting to get off of an airplane, I think I would have panic attacks wanting the baby out of my body. Yes, it is a strange phobia. I try and laugh about it, because it does sound silly, yet the feelings are real.
I completely understand.
My Dr tells me that anxieties like these go away once you are pregnant.
I just know once you find out you are pregnant, the feeling is so elating that you don't worry as much about silly things.
Meditation, breathing and yoga are my drugs of choice for anxiety!

[pattieh]

You're right! I was going to yoga and the panic attacks subsided significantly. I have to go back once I'm past this 2-week period from the retrieval. Can't wait. : )