Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Worry Wart

I have a new pregnancy symptom that just started last week. It's kind of a strange one: anxiety.

At first, I thought it was anxiety over taking the 3-hour GTT and then waiting for the results. But then I got the good news and the anxiety didn't go away. In fact, it seems to be getting worse.

It's hard to describe, really, but it's this strange feeling that I can't get enough air and a tightness in my chest. I was thinking perhaps it's just the fact that my lungs are getting compressed by the baby. Several friends have commented that I sound "breathless" on the phone lately, as if I am on a treadmill while talking to them.

But it's more than just feeling short of breath. My stomach is on edge and my resting heartrate is around 100 BPM. I also just have this pervasive sense of dread. I can't go to sleep easily and last night, I woke up around 2:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. I am not worried about anything in particular and Little Man has been performing his morning and nightly kick counts without hesitation, so I don't think that this is related to fear about his well-being, although it certainly could be.

I am leaving for a business trip tomorrow morning and will be gone through the weekend, so I wonder if it's just a bit of anxiety over being out of town and away from my husband. I have found myself getting increasingly dependent on him these past few months. I have never looked forward to business trips, but I don't usually have this awful feeling that has settled over me. That's not normal for me, but then again, when have I ever been seven months pregnant before?

I don't really think that this is a reason to call the OB, but it is worrisome. Which of course, adds to the anxiety. Anybody else have this symptom?

22 comments:

Mazzy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mazzy said...

I am praying for you today, Katie.
God is watching over you and that baby boy, and I know he is going to take care of you both.

"Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Phillipians 4:6-

Julie, Todd, Kate and Miles said...

Katie,
I think it's probably normal to feel more anxious towards the end of pregnancy. I'm starting to get that a little now too...I've been thinking about labor and delivery and I admit that I'm getting nervous.
The breathlessness is probably your little guy hogging more room for himself!
I think I'd try to do some mindful relaxing, but if you're still feeling anxious, I'd talk to your OB about it. The good thing about being 30 weeks is that you see the OB more often, right?

Hope you start feeling better.

Oh btw, didn't you say that your iron was low? That could cause an increase of HR and breathlessness too. Less iron, means less oxygen carring capacity of your red blood cells.

Take care

Jen said...

I haven't had those symptoms, but I think there might be a lot of reasons for them. If they don't clear up by the time you're back from your business trip, don't hesitate to contact your OB. That's what they're there for after all!

Tracy said...

Well, I don't feel too anxious, but I do have breathlessness, and my resting heart rate is high (in spite of low blood pressure.) And my sleep is definitely interupted. It may be normal...but it's worth bringing up at your next appointment.

Hang in there; you are doing great!

Me said...

My sister developed anxiety during her first pregnancy. It crescendoed with the pregnancy and abated a bit after the birth. It did not go back to "normal" though. Repeat with my nephew. Since then I've talked to a few women who have had similar experiences. I don't blow smoke up people's butts so I'm not going to say it will "all be ok". But I will say that if it doesn't go away, you will learn to live with it. And that is ok too. Not perfect, but as Vonnegut would say "So it goes". KWIM?

Joy said...

I remember feeling breathless toward the end but I do not remember my resting heart being that fast.

I would get it checked out, especially before you leave. It will help to ease your mind!

HereWeGoAJen said...

Anxiety seems like it is probably pretty normal to me. I'd call your OB though and see if they can do anything about it. You shouldn't suffer if you don't have to!

Kim said...

I don't have the anxiety, but I have similar symptoms because of my Tachycardia (fast pulse). When it happens, trying bearing down like in your chest (if that makes sense?)... that should bring your heart rate down and hopefully calm you down, as well. There's a fancy name for doing that, but I can't remember what it is right now.

Nicky said...

Yep, I've been feeling the same way, just for the past week or so. I think Julie is right about the anemia causing some of it. And the compressed lungs, and carrying the extra weight, etc. Some of it, for me anyway, is clearly hormonal. And being away from my husband for the past two weeks (your life and mine seem to be shadowing a bit lately). And some of it for me is just the realization that I'm seriously in my third trimester, things seem to suddenly happening quickly, and there are a ton of changes just over the horizon.

As for what to do about it... I've just been forcing myself to sit quietly with my feet up in a darkened room, doing something soothing, each afternoon. Or doing something completely non-work and non-baby related. Seems to help, at least short-term.

AwkwardMoments said...

I agree, I think it's also a little of "that stage of the pregnancy". 3rd trimester things to do, runned ragged, tired, insomnia etc. If you are overly cocerned - there is never any harm in called the dr's
Thinking of you

MissNoAngel (find me on Twitter) said...

Yes! Well, to be honest I almost always have general anxiet - but since becoming pregnant I have found that I dread being away from my husband. This is very unsual for me, I am NOT the codependent sort at all. My mother in law said that she had this during all three of her pregnancies as well, so I'm guessing it's normal. Annoying, but normal.

GibsonTwins said...

Praying for you!

I left you a blog award on my page. You totally deserve it :)

Geohde said...

Katie,

I'd be described as having an anxious personality- I tend to woory about things, but it hasn't changed in pregnancy. Now I worry about different things is all.

But some of the physical stuff may be physiological for being 7 months pregnant. Cardiac output goes up with an increase in HR and pulmonary gas exchange goes up, too- the depth and rate of breathing increases quite a bit. I'm puffy all the time, and find it a bit hard to lie flat.

Anyway, good luck with your trip, and I'm sorry you're feeling the way you are. Hopefully it settles down.

J

Geohde said...

Oh, yeah...and you're anaemic. That can make the increased HR etc a bit worse, too.

J

Adriane said...

Sorry you are feeling a bit of anxiety. I have been feeling this way a bit more lately, too. Perhaps it's the desire to nest that comes with the third trimester? May not be a bad idea to mention your resting heartrate to the Dr. (Just my $.02)

SOOO glad you passed the 3 hr GTT! yay!

Samantha said...

I can't give you any symptom advice, but know I'm thinking of you.

sara said...

I hope that you are feeling more at ease about things soon, and yes my sister had anxiety towards the end of two of her pregnancies. (Both ended with beautiful children). And the anxiety went away after the delivery. Sure she still has normal mom worries, but nothing out of the ordinary. Hang in there and I'll be thinking of you :-)

Joy said...

Ha ha! Can I just say I love the little button for Mel!!! You made it great! Looks just like them!!!

Ms. J said...

You sound a little anxious (who can blame you?!) Why not call the doctor and just say you're little short of breath, and just want to be seen before you go on a biz trip?

If they give you crap about it, call your PCP (family doctor).

Alyssa said...

Katie, I'm sorry you're in such a state of worry right now. I can't say for sure, because I've not carried a baby to term, but based on friends and family who have, I think the worry and anxiety is completely normal. If it becomes debilitating, then I would call the doctor.

As for the breathlessness, I think that happens frequently, too. One of my dear friends, who is normally quite healthy, was very breathless at the end of both her pregnancies.

RBandRC said...

YES! I've had that since entering the 3rd trimester. I think its partly because I'm so close to the end that now everything scares me again and it was in part because she was crushing my rib cage. I hope you are feeling better! HUGS!