Labor anxiety?

Question

This may be a dumb question but I have really bad anxiety and I am super anxious about labor and feel like Xanax would really help keep me calm. Has anyone ever explored this with their doctor? I am NOT wanting an epidural and if it's safe for me to be administered a xanax or two or however many they allow I feel like my nerves will be a lot calmer.

Answer

You're really going to need to talk to your doc about this hon

Answer

Talk to your doctor. That's the only way to know. Just ask what your options are

Answer

There's no associated birth defects or long term effects known for benzos (xanax) BUT baby will be born with xanax in his / her system, so is likely to seem groggy and sedated when born. (This is presumably not the way you first want to meet your new baby) Then, as the xanax wears off, your new baby will experience 'comedown' effects as it withdraws from his / her system. It's natural and normal to have anxieties around labour, but I would say drugs aren't the answer! Consider your birth plan, decide how you want your labour to be, where you want it to be etc. This way you can regain a bit of a sense of control over the situation. Talk to other mums and to your doctor. Remember that this is what your body was designed to do. Your body can do this! Your mind just has to catch up! Good luck, you're going to have a beautiful - sober - baby!!

Answer

Like the others said that's a conversation for your dr. Most anti anxiety meds are a pretty firm no go for pregnancy unfortunately, and even then there's an issue with how often you're going to take it (I know for me even a high dose of xanax before a dentist appointment only lasts about 4 hrs. Wayyyy shorter than most women are in labor.)

A lot of the techniques they teach in natural labor classes are exactly the same as what therapists teach to patients with anxiety, so you will definitely want to explore those, and keep in mind that most won't work if you're not actively practicing them before labor starts.

Labor anxiety?

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