Major anxiety with second pregnancy

[EllieJai44]

So I'm pregnant with my second, 20 weeks tomorrow, before this pregnancy I had 3 miscarriages in a row, latest being at 10 weeks pregnant. I know I'm way past that and things seem good with baby at a scan we had at 16 weeks.

But that doesn't help with the anxiety of thinking something will go wrong! I also cannot feel movements yet, was told at the 16 week scan I have an anterior placenta so pretty sure its down to this!

I do have a home doppler that I used with my first pregnancy and now with this one and up until a few days ago I could find him so easily, this morning I couldn't find a hint of him, literally no movements heard or even heartbeat at a distance!

I stopped, took some time and had a move about and then listened again and found him no problem 🤦‍♀️

I've tried not using the doppler but I worry and then with using it I worry, midwifes don't seem interested with me telling them my anxiety is terrible, I'm also under consultant care as my daughter had reduced movements and reduced growth, so will be telling them about my anxiety too when I next talk to them (still not seen anyone because of COVID) and also have my scan Wednesday

In meantime anyone got any tips for the anxiety or any helpful stories of the anterior placenta and movements please

[Foreverbaffled]

I’m so sorry your struggling. It’s so understandable given what you’ve been through and I get how easy it is for those thoughts to spiral.

My first bit of advice would be to ditch the doppler. I don’t have an issue with them really except when you’re prone to anxiety you end up using them for brief reassurance. Except this reassurance is only temporary and before you know if you’ll be checking and re-checking. I do mean this kindly though because I struggle with anxiety and am exactly the same as you.

I had an anterior placenta with my first pregnancy and genuinely didn’t feel any movements until around 23/24 weeks. I couldn’t see any tummy movements until closer to 28 weeks and my partner couldn’t feel anything externally until much later still. I have a posterior placenta this time round and it’s a totally totally different experience. Honestly don’t compare yourself to other women on forums etc as there is such a wide range of ‘normal’ on there.

Speak to your midwife if you need support. You can do this. Thinking of you.

[Louisg]

I had an anterior placenta with my first. I don't have one with my second and only now do I realise how little movements I felt. It's completely normal not to feel much and I was often going to hospital due to not being a let I feel baby which meant they induce me after my due date to be safe!

• I'm telling you that not as a horror story just to let you know that if you are worried ever about movement please don't write it off because of the placenta go get checked out