Pregnancy and white coat syndrome

[Katiecool]

Hi,

I am in the early stages of pregnancy for the 3rd time, having suffered 2 previous miscarriages. As if that isn't difficult enough, I also have the misfortune of suffering from 'white coat syndrome'. This means that I hate doctors, medical tests, illnesses and particularly symptoms, which generally make me leap to the conclusion that I am seriously ill. Going to the doctors is a miserable experience for me and I avoid doctors as much as I possibly can, although do go when I know that I have to.

This is making my pregnancy experience very stressful and I am spending an awful lot of time worrying about all the tests and examinations that I am going to have to have and wondering how I am going to cope with it all. Obviously I realise the importance of all the tests and recognise the need for them to ensure that my baby is safe and well but it makes an already stressful experience very much harder to cope with.

I just wondered whether anyone else has had this experience and had any tips/reassurance or support to offer

thanks

[kiki22]

Hi I don't mind tests hospitals etc so can't imagine how you feel but I do have a lot of anxiety with this pregnancy about things going wrong so I can understand that. Have you been to see your midwife? There's really not as many tests as you may think, when I had my first I had a combined booking in and scan you could request that so you are only going once get the scan and all bloods over and done with. Would it help if they could have the midwife come to you to do bloods or district nurse even. Until you get toward the end you don't need to see them very much and they don't need to do any intimate tests the most they do is have a feel of your tummy which they use for position and tell you there findings there and then.

Make sure you do explain all this to your midwife they are generally really good at helping with any stress and anxiety they want to accommodate you if they can in my experience

[Katiecool]

Thanks so much for your response Kiki22. Thanks for understanding and I appreciate your suggestions, which sound really good. Also nice to hear that there aren't too many examinations and hopefully I will get more used to things as I go along.

I can very much relate to the worry of something going wrong. Is there any particular reason you are feeling anxious about this pregnancy or just a general worry? I am still very early (6 weeks) and very much trying to manage things day by day.

[Jenijena]

I'm with you on doctors. However, if you're lucky enough to be under midwife care, it's really not bad. I have my blood pressure taken every time; I talk through this as I hate it. There's a urine test (pee in a pot before I go in). As you get bigger, they have a prod at your tummy and there are two lots of blood tests. But although my mw appts are in a hospital, it's a community one, not the big scary one nearby. And she never wears a white coat. It does really feel like having a regular chat with an informed friend.

[kiki22]

I'm not really sure why I'm anxious this time honestly I had an early mc before ds, with him I was a little worried but mostly excited this time its mostly worry, the sonographer at my 12 week scan told me its quite common to worry more second time. Its quite a highly emotional time in your life so many hormones surging and new things happening.

The best thing is to talk about it never feel like you need to put on a brave face and act like your super happy and loving it when you don't feel like it. I hate being pregnant for me its a means to an end something you have to go through to get the end product there's no shame to not being an earth mother type.

[Katiecool]

That's reassuring Jenijena, I am glad that I am not alone in the worry. I have had to buy my own blood pressure monitor because every time I get it done at the doctors its gives an incredibly high reading because of my worry. Community hospital sounds good, because I agree big hospital are intimidating. Good luck with everything

[Katiecool]

I agree with you Kiki22, hormones and changes and uncertainty make for a funny time. Interesting that you say that you don't enjoy being pregnant and that is certainly refreshing to hear. You are right that there is a pre-conceived idea that it is such an amazing and happy time for everyone. I perhaps may be like you and see it as something to get through. Hope things continue to go well for you and the worry starts to subside a little

[ispymincepie]

Also remember you don't have to have any tests you don't want, they only offer them. Agree though that under midwifery led care there is very little to worry about.
To the pp, talking while having your bp taken will give an inaccurate result!

[kiki22]

I read in a magazine about Kim Kardashian being slammed for being ungrateful when she said she hated being pregnant and I was just thinking I feel you, from Kim K coming out with it lots more woman have felt more able to say how they feel. It doesn't make you ungrateful or mean your not bonding with your baby it just means you are going through a rough time and don't enjoy it. I'm very maternal love my son and hate being apart we are so close hating being pregnant with him never stopped me loving him, it was deff a labour of love for me carrying him

Have you thought of a home birth? I think your going to be fine anyway just close your eyes and picture that perfect little baby you will find strength to get the job done.

[KittyandTeal]

I'm similar after loosing dd2 to a tfmr. In this pregnancy I hate all scans and medical appointments.

I'm also generally not great at being pregnant.

So far I've got through one day at a time and with a huge amount of emotional support from my specialist midwife who does some counselling for me and the screening midwives.

[lilac3033]

I had a fair amount of anxiety while pregnant with DD. She was a pregnancy after a mmc (discovered at my 12 week scan). So scans were all stressful and I have white coat syndrome, although I can keep it under control (it becomes apparent when getting my blood pressure done). I found the midwife care excellent and she understood about my blood pressure readings. I got my own blood pressure cuff and always did a reading a week and took her the readings. I took them first thing in the morning before caffeine and when I was my most relaxed. I also tried to keep my blood pressure under control so I could use the MLU, which I just managed to do. I really loved the MLU and didn't feel I was in a hospital at all.