Effects Of Pregnancy On Ptsd

[Casey_03]

I wasn't sure what category this thread would fall under, so moderators, feel free to move it. I am about 3.5 months pregnant, was abandoned by the father (and also emotionally abused and bullied). I expected to basically fall apart during the pregnancy, the but exact opposite is happening. In fact, all my anxiety and depression seem to have vanished. I have definitely broken down and cried on a few occasions, though it was over stupid, petty things, and it had more to do with the pregnancy hormones (I think) than any deep depression. Strangely, whereas my daily life used to be hindered by a very profound fear and anxiety, I now don't have that; I don't hesitate. I immediately take action instead of worrying and panicking. I even feel more motivated and have gotten MORE ambitious with work, initiating a trip to other countries to expand my newspaper's coverage. I went on this trip myself, alone, and it was a success. Now I'm planning to learn a third language. This is not to say that pregnancy is going easy on me -- I throw up almost every meal I eat and am sick and weak 24/7. I also realize that once the baby is here, things will change drastically. But I never expected pregnancy to basically take away all my more serious ailments. Does anyone know if this is normal? Any other women on here who have experienced this with a pregnancy?

 

[shimmerz]

I don't know if it is normal or not, but before I was pregnant with my first child I was highly activated (although I didn't know what it was, I now realize it was PTSD). I had occassional nightmares, was afraid of stairs and certain things, but absolutely the anxiety left me, my symptoms left me. This continued until the children grew up. Then the symptoms came back full force (although there were huge issues of DV at that time as well).

My thoughts, looking at it in retrospect, were that pregnancy and raising children are a huge distraction, but I am not certain that is actually the reason.

I have been wondering how you are and am so relieved to hear you are doing well. Enjoy.

 

[DogwoodTree]

I think that, the fact I spent so much time over the past decade and a half being pregnant is probably why I was able to delay for so long having to face this stuff. Being pregnant was always a pleasure for me...I felt relaxed and happy and peacefully anticipatory (the last pregnancy was harder because I had two miscarriages just before it, but that's a different issue). So my experience, at least, is in agreement with what you've suggested, that pregnancy so overshadows the yucky background stuff, that the PTSD symptoms essentially disappear. I didn't even mind too much all the exams and everything that had to be done while pregnant.

 

[Kara G]

I'm not a regular on this forum but I found it via search and thought you might be interested in this new summary of findings from researchers at the University of Michigan on this topic: umhealth.me/PTSDpreg