As I have been sharing over the last several weeks, my husband and I are moving forward with beginning our family aka having kids! What we have been talking and praying about, is whether to foster/adopt first or have a biological child first. We had decided to pursue foster/adopting first, however, we reached a mild road block in the process. We have been placed on a waiting list and it will be several months before we actually begin foster care training. Naturally, we were disappointed, however, we revisited the discussion about having a biological child first, and after much praying and talking we have decided to go ahead with trying to get pregnant!
Foster care is still something we are persuing, but we decided that it is finally time to jump in 100% and begin trying while we wait for training.
My only concern is my anxiety disorder. I am terrified that once I go off my medication that my hormones will increase the intensity of my anxiety. I want my baby to be healthy and I don’t want my anxiety to get in the way.
Have any of you dealt with an anxiety disorder while pregnant? If so, how did you help yourself?
The Persistent Platypus 
I wasn’t on anxiety meds when I was pregnant. Sorry I’m no help. Just want to say I’m excited for you!
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It may help to remember that a large part of anxiety disorder is feeling afraid of the fear itself. You should have plenty of medical support while you are pregnant but I’m wondering if you have talked with your doctor about this aspect? Wishing you well 🙂
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that is a great point! I have not talked to my doctor yet. That is next on my list
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My partner and I are trying for number 2 and I face the same issue: anxiety, depression, and ADD. I have talked with my OB as well as my psychiatrist. He actually suggested I do some research on the effects the drugs may have on the fetus. For me, he said it will come down to what I think is best since I am on low dosages. I believe he sent me the Brigham Young Women’s Hospital link to read to make a decision.
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You might want to look into mindfulness resources, especially ones related to distress tolerance. They are very practical tools that can help you deal with anxiety ‘in the moment’. I use distress tolerance skills now all the time, not just for anxiety, but pretty much anything that might trigger a really strong emotion. God bless you and your hubby. Keeping you in my prayers!
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Every road block that is in front of you presents a new challenge but also a new way in which to go about something. So while you may need to wait to foster care the decision of having a child is amazing. I am sure that both paths will provide those children with a great future and amazing parents.
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I just wanted to pop in and say good luck and I am excited for you!
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You know what’s weird, and I certainly can only speak for myself, but my anxiety was actually kinda lower when I was pregnant. So, maybe you’ll get lucky? And if not? Some restorative yoga?
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I’m hoping that it will be better when I’m pregnant. And I will def. have yoga! 🙂
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Pregnancy became like this, it’s happening and there’s nothing you can do about it anymore process for me. And somehow, I think that helped me stay on the ground more than I expected to.
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That’s a great attitude to have about it
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I found when I was pregnant the extra hormones actually balanced me out. So it may happen that way for you
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Yes I did , I suffered from PTSD and panic attacks for 20 years, I had no idea what was going on at first. I have learned so much for myself about where it comes from and how to smash through it, there is so much you can do and medication is not the answer, but it can be good for extreme panic disorder.
If you would like support, ping me I will give you as much info as I can 🙂 Don’t suffer, I am 90% calm these days 😉 xxx
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That’s great
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