With pregnancy comes boundless joy and anticipation of your little one who is about to be born. Amidst all of the excitement and happiness, however, come the insurmountable pressures and realization that you are about to have a child who is completely dependent upon you for their well being. Such pressure has been known to lead a pregnant woman to suffer from a panic attack.

Though not common, panic attacks during pregnancy certainly can and do happen (as if being pregnant wasn't scary enough!). It may be easy for you to point a finger at your pregnancy and blame it for your anxiety attack, but keep in mind that panic attacks are often a recurring problem. You may have suffered a panic attack prior to pregnancy, and may continue to have them after your baby is born. Panic attacks can be particularly common during post partum, and may contribute to post partum depression. Before you feel as if you are the only one, take comfort in knowing that approximately 6% of women develop anxiety disorders after giving birth.

If you're pregnant, chances are you will mention the panic attack to your health care provider at your next visit. If your next visit until a couple of weeks away, do not put off giving your doctor a visit. Your body is already rapidly changing and under a lot of physical and emotional stress, so a panic attack can easily worsen your condition. If you may be unsure as to whether or not you have suffered a panic attack, here are some of the symptoms you may suffer:

• Rapid heart beat

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness or vertigo

• Hot flashes and/or chills

• Excessive sweating

• Irrational fears of dying or incapability

• Fear of losing control

• Paralysis

These are only some of the many symptoms that you may experience when having a panic attack. Remember to talk with others if you are experiencing any of these symptoms. Seek help from your physician as they will be able to give some insight as to why this is happening, and check for any other underlying issues which may be causing your panic attacks. Your physician may also prescribe a mild medication to help, though any sort of medication while pregnant is not advisable.

You do not by any means need to leave your condition untreated because you are pregnant. There are numerous natural remedies that can help dispel a panic attack. If you are capable of going for a walk, do so. Most medical professionals strongly recommend that pregnant women remain active by either going for an easy walk, or even swimming (this is easier on the joints and can even help properly position your baby for birth). Prenatal yoga is also extremely popular and beneficial for pregnant women. Adopt some breathing techniques for relaxation, which may also be useful when in labor. Lastly, you may be able to take some herbal supplements to help, though be sure to check with your health care professional before doing so, as many herbs have been known to harm the fetus.

Pregnancy should be one of the happiest times in your life. Seek out treatment for your anxiety attacks to keep it that way.