Panic Attacks and Pregnancy

Suffering from a panic disorder is always stressful, and that stress is often significantly increased during pregnancy when a person may have concerns such as the impact on the baby or how to cope without their usual medication. Unfortunately, it is a little researched area and advice from general practitioners and psychotherapists can vary.

A woman with a predisposition for anxiety related disorders or depression is at higher risk of experiencing their first panic attack during pregnancy, and women with an existing panic disorder often find their panic attacks become more regular. There are several contributing factors. The first is that any major life change can trigger panic attacks, and pregnancy obviously falls into this category. Secondly, hormonal changes can be a trigger, particularly during the first trimester when HCG levels are rapidly increasing. If a woman has previously been on medication to control their panic disorder then this may be unsuitable for taking during pregnancy, meaning the attacks may resume. Factors such as being more tired may also contribute.

So can panic attacks affect the baby? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer. It is unlikely that the attack itself will cause distress to the baby as foetuses are well protected in their mother's womb. A Taiwanese study published in 2009 identified an increased risk of pre-term delivery and low birth weight babies among women who had one or multiple panic attacks during pregnancy. The increased risk, though, was very small and lack of research in this field means there are no other studies to compare it to.

There is multiple research that links stress, anxiety and depression during pregnancy to the offspring developing disorders such as ADD or depression in later life. However it is difficult to prove if this is entirely caused by the mother's mental state during pregnancy, if at all. Mental health disorders may be linked to inheriting a genetic predisposition or down to nurture and being raised by a parent who struggled with a similar problem.

It is essential to find a suitable way of controlling panic attacks in pregnancy. Most medications carry a low to moderate risk to the foetus, but those most at risk of severe panic attacks may still be prescribed a suitable drug. Only a doctor with knowledge of the patient's individual medical history can recommend whether medication is appropriate and which drug may be the safest. Natural remedies sometimes used for anxiety and panic disorders, such as St John's Wort, are generally classified as being unsuitable for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

There are alternative approaches to treating panic attacks in pregnancy. For instance, anything the promotes a feeling of calm and relaxation will lessen the risk of an attack. What works for one person may not work for another, but you may like to try meditation or join a pregnancy yoga class. Both of these approaches also help improve breathing, which will counteract hyperventilation and poor breathing habits which are believed to trigger attacks in some sufferers. Light exercise is beneficial for you and the baby, but will also release endorphins and create a more positive mental state.

Your family doctor may be able to offer some none-medicinal alternatives. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps many people control their panic disorder, but waiting lists and availability will depend on your area. The treatment works by identifying thought processes and behaviours contributing to panic attacks and developing 'life tools' to avoid reoccurrences.

Women who have suffered from panic attacks during pregnancy are often particularly anxious about how they will react when labour starts. However most women with a panic disorder report being as calm and in control as any other pregnant woman during the birth.