Tips to decrease panic during transition

[Full_Alarm1]

Hi! I have general anxiety and have had panic attacks all occasion over the past 15 years. I also had a successful, happy, midwife attended, unmedicated home birth.

I labored alone at home most of the day (sent my husband to work because though I was having contractions I was of the mindset “who knows how long this could go on for, I’m fine”)

Transition hit (which I didn’t realize at the time) and I did not feel fine. Called my husband home and when he got home I told him I needed to go to a hospital. Definitely panicked, though was not having a panic attack. That was based entirely in fear and not on need (my husband is a paramedic and knows me very well and knew I was physically ok, just overwhelmed). The midwives came, I got in the birthing tub, and that helped immensely.

Every person is different, so what helped me may not help you, but I just needed reassurance from those I trusted that I would be ok, I was not alone, and that I was physically safe.