Anxiety at 40 weeks pregnant....what can I do?

[Duesept20]

So I'm 40+4, and feeling soooo anxious.

I'm worried, because I feel more anxious than excited at the moment, and I'm scared it's starting to take over a little bit.

I'm trying to keep on top of it, but I'm anxious about labour, and having a newborn (even though this is a very much wanted baby), I'm anxious about covid and having to make decisions about how close to let people get to baby, I'm worried about how my husband will cope at work on no sleep after his paternity leave....Worried about my health after labour....its just all floating around in my head.

I've thought about speaking to a midwife, but I dont know what theyd be able to do at this stage?

Is there anything I can do to try and calm down? Anyone else feel like this before labour?

[ShirleyPhallus]

I 100% felt like this. It was awful because I gave birth when we had just gone in to lockdown and I was a few weeks overdue by the time she actually got here.

As someone who is now 6 months on the other side, I can tell you that it will all be absolutely fine. Birth seems like a huge thing when you’re pregnant, but once you have a baby it’s such a distant memory and is about 1% of being a parent.

Everything else is manageable but don’t worry about it until there’s actually something to worry about. You and your husband will make your way through, you might have a very easy going newborn who sleeps well so there’s no point in worrying about it (easier said than done).

A few things I’d do - write this all down to get it out of whirling around your mind. Speak to your midwife. Get some relaxation podcasts and spend the next few days sleeping, eating, watching films and having baths cos you really will appreciate it once baby is here.

Good luck!! You’ll be fine honestly.

[Emelene]

Hypnobirthing really helped with my anxiety before birth - I really recommend the Positive Birth Company.

[Duesept20]

@ShirleyPhallus Congratulations and well done on your lockdown baby! 😍

Thank you so so much for your advice, I really appreciate it ❤ And its really helpful! I will try and relax and rest and keep myself calm 🙂

I didnt think Covid was getting to me at all, but in the last 2 weeks its started to become a problem. My husbands family have been going to shops every day, swimming, tennis, yoga, to the hairdressers, for pedicures, to see other family and not social distancing, to see friends, to bbqs and picnics....The list goes on. I know we all have different views on this, but for me its just too much activity. And it puts me on edge 🙈
My mum told me yesterday that my granny is ill again too, and that she was telling me in case something happened to her, so it didn't come as a total shock.

So I just feel totally on edge now 🙄

[OrDis]

Hi! I’m also 40+4 today and covid is getting to me to! Just want baby girl here as i’m so anxious that me or DH will end up catching Covid and then he won’t be able to be at the birth etc, or that we’ll get a local lockdown and so grandparents won’t be able to come visit. Also now worried I might be so overdue I have to be induced and that is something I never really banked on happening- just assumed it would happen spontaneously- hasn't crossed my mind until now that it might not. I know I can decline induction but just not sure whats best in these times!! It is horrible isnt it. No words of wisdom i’m afraid. I’m just trying not to dwell on it and trying to relax. Just wanted you to know your not alone in feeling this way. Hopefully our babies will be here safe in our arms soon

[Duesept20]

@OrDis Thanks for your response, I'm so sorry you're feeling the same...But I have to admit it is nice to know I'm not alone in my worries, so neither are you. I dont know why covid has suddenly got to me in the last two weeks, but it definitely has. It's so stressful, and yet I've been trying not to stress about it because I have no control over it 🤷‍♀️
It's a very weird situation. I know everything will be fine, but the general covid chaos is an issue. We've been pretty much in isolation for 4 weeks, in the hope that neither of us get covid so that my husband can be at the birth 🙈 my husband is working, but with strict social distancing, and neither of us are going anywhere unless we have to 🙄 Not fun haha!

[ShirleyPhallus]

No worries @Duesept20. FWIW, I would have the same concerns and a new baby is the perfect excuse to tell people that you’re being very cautious so won’t be letting anyone who hasn’t been isolating to have a hold. That, plus the new guidelines.

@OrDis I ended up being induced and it was also absolutely fine. Please don’t worry

[OrDis]

@Duesept20 I think it’s likely getting to us because cases are rising again. I know thats whats putting me on edge. It was nice to get back to some sort of ‘normality’ over summer (even though it wasn't normal) plus I think I was lured into a false sense of security with cases being low where we are but now they are on the rise again. We Are the same in that we haven't really done anything or seen anyone for the last 3 weeks as i’m paranoid about DH getting covid and not being at the birth. It certainly isnt helping pass the time lol! I expect in ordinary times i’d be loving my pre- baby mat leave- out and about having coffee and catching up with friends but I just don’t feel like I want to in this climate 😫, so every day seems to last forever!

Thanks @ShirleyPhallus! I know what will be will be and it will be worth it when I meet my baby but it’s just the fear of the unknown and all the ‘intervention’ I think.

[Viletta]

I am 38w and have same worries. I've decided not to think much about when to allow people to meet / hold the baby as it's too much at the moment. I'll see how I feel when he is here. I may ask close family to be really careful for 2 weeks and possibly get a test before coming in. First few weeks we'll be probably on our own as I read it takes 2-3 weeks for baby's immune system to kick in. I've also been following case reports on infants having covid and luckily they seem to have it symptom free and very light.
Also worried about labour, but trying to trust my body, surround myself with positive things, I stopped reading the news, started watching light hearted films, good food, the house is clean and ready.