Any tips for coping with anxiety during high risk pregnancy?

Hi ladies, I had my first Consultant Clinic appointment today and hearing them all talking about me behind closed doors has made me worry more. I'm currently 13 weeks and all 4 scans I've had so far have all been fine and I heard the baby's heartbeat today. I've been referred to a Foetal Development Centre for all further assessments and scans, which I will be having every 4 weeks once I get to 24 weeks gestation. My Downs Syndrome testing has come back as very low risk so that's one less thing to worry about. I've had to have a shed load more bloods done today and my blood pressure and heart are are also high. The Consultant I saw today is going to write to my Cardiologist and ask him to review me again in terms of my pregnancy. I've got my appointment with my Epilepsy Nurse in 2 weeks to review how my drug levels are coping with the increased blood volume etc so I'm pretty anxious about that too. I'm trying to stay focused on all the positives though

Stay strong everyone x x x

Hi sorry for your losses. I have factor V Leiden and two other thrombophilia issues and was on heparin throughout my pregnancy. One mc and one beautiful ds and 7 yrs to get there. It is hard. And scans although nice are only as good for me as the day they are on.

Am ttc again but no joy which has its own anguish. It is hard. A good dp and some distraction is what for me through the anxiety. There was no magic cure. What I realised is people do get anxious, it was not just me.

OP, I've just come through a high-risk pregnancy, my "last chance saloon" baby DD is sleeping peacefully next door.

I had her at 41. My 1st pregnancy ended at 29 weeks due to severe PE & HELLP syndrome. DS survived (just) & had a long NICU stay & complications related to his prematurity.

After 2 different consultant opinions on future risk, we decided to TTC. I got pregnant & had a m/c, which was subsequently diagnosed as a molar pregnancy. Then another MMC at 11.5 weeks.

We decided to give it 1 last try. I was advised to take 75mg aspirin from BFP (in terms of PE risk).

I can't say it was easy. Psychologically, it was really tough. I took it a day at a time & couldn't see past a week or so, couldn't plan ahead. I really struggled. But I expected up, if that makes sense? I just accepted it was going to be crap.

I got to nearly 36 weeks this time. It was such a relief to have dd out safely & I could relax again. I will never do it again. I do not think I could cope.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

No I'm not, Holeyghost. I'm not an expert, but because of my job, I'm not 'completely ignorant' - there are risks. I'm just curious as to why they were used, which the OP was kind enough to explain. I then suggested regular scans/accupuncture/counselling as a way of reassuring her through a high-risk pg. That was intended to be helpful - I don't see how it could've been taken any other way really.

RaRaZ - are you trying to make us more anxious? You are completely ignorant re anti-coagulants in pregnancy. There is a strong evidence base for their use.

Aspirin here to for placental problems. Very standard practice to have half a dose a day while pregnant. It's called baby aspirin.

I see. I guess the problem is that anticoagulants can also increase the risk of MC and, as you sadly found out, make MC more dangerous in terms of blood loss. Tricky one.

OP: Is there anything that you would find reassuring? If there's anything you think would help, I'd encourage you to pester your GP for it. Have you thought about seeing a counsellor or having accupuncture?

Tayto - before ttcing again last year, I met with my consultant to discuss how risky another pregnancy would be. He referred me for counselling and I had just one session to establish a relationship with the counsellor.

I met the counsellor fairly regularly during subsequent pregnancies and post-miscarriage. It has helped massively as I struggled to make a decision on whether to try again and to cope with complications and loss.

I would never have proceeded had I known what would happen so far. But right now I have no regrets.

According to google they increase the efficiency of the placenta

I thought it was quite common for women to be given blood thinning drugs if they had a history of miscarriage?? Not sure of the reason why though?!

OP: Why on earth were you on aspirin and heparin during pg??? That's pretty risky... I assume the HCPs thought the benefit outweighed the risk, but still, I wouldn't be at all happy about being on those kind of drugs during pg and I'm glad you won't be taking them any more. Will you be having regular scans if you get pg again? I too will be high-risk and have been promised an early scan and then regular visits to the obstetrician.

Thank you Tayto and I hope you and your husband come to a decision that is right for you. If that decision turns out to TTC then I hope you and baby stay safe and well x x

International and Tayto

Me and hubby have discussed ELCS and it is something that I think we both want - especially him. The last thing we want is for my heart to give in during labour or I start having seizures etc and something happens to me or the baby. We have got an appointment with a Cardiac Obstetrician in 4 weeks so I will see what he thinks....

Gosh that's hard, OP. I'm sorry for your losses. I guess it comes down to whether you would regret most never trying again or living with the possibility of another loss. Some counselling might help you work through your thoughts and give you some coping techniques to help.

Hi Taytocrisp. No matter how healthy a women is will always be anxious and exited during her pregnancy. In guess if I'm lucky enough to concieve I'll probably be a high risk as I didn't carry D.D well at all I had pre-eclampsia resulting in an emergency c/section. and I was only 20+ then so and I've heard that if you have pre-eclampsia in your first pregnancy than you're likely to get it again but I know the hospital will have the right care to give me and if they have to deliver me early plenty of babies are born early and with lots of medical care they're fine. My attitude is if you panicked about every single thing that could go wrong during pregnancy the world would stop.
I also had a miscarriage which absolutely devestated me it still does. I was carrying an innocent life that was took away. I didn't want another baby either I wanted the one that was growing inside me, the one I would talk to and read to, it may seem crazy because I was only a few weeks pregnant. I purposely waited to ttc untill after my would be due date, as I didn't want to cancel the baby's possible existance, plus if I did try right away and get pregnant I wouldn't have had D.D as it would have been a different sperm different egg. I went on to have my D.D 19 months after the m/c. My daughter is the most amazing child to walk the earth I adore her beyond imagination but she's not a replacement for the baby I lost. I have had many dreams about my lost baby as well. I had one where she kissed me and said she loved me. Although if I'm honest I'm not even entirely sure it was a dream because it was so vivid.

If you do decide to ttc good luck with everything. Try and let us know your decision.
Also writerwannabe. Sorry to hear of your epilepsy, if they're worried about your heart during labour could you not talk to them about having a c/section or would you rather deliver naturally. Also whatever happens there's no chance you'll resent your baby. It stands out a million miles how much this baby means to you. xxx

Hi Ladies, I am classed as High Risk (which I knew I would be) and although I'm trying hard not to focus on my anxieties it is easier said than done.

I'm high risk because I've got Epilepsy and SVT and so am under the watchful eye of various specialists but sometimes being in the Spot Light makes the nerves worse. I have worries about the effects of my medication on the baby as although I did make the decision to come off my Beta Blockers I'm still on my Epilepsy Drugs. My heart rate stability has gone a bit haywire since coming off the Beta Blockers but I'm trying to put it to the back of my mind. In terms of my epilepsy, I have been seizure free for over 7 years but have been warned there is a high chance my seizures will return and I'm sh*tting myself. I would lose my licence and my job would be over and I can't bear the thought of it. I'm worried that if my seizures do come back and ruin my life I'm going to resent the baby. I have also been told there is a 10% chance of having seizures during labour and they are concerned about how my heart will cope with the physical stress of the labour So not many positives really.

I'm just taking it day by day and hoping it all turns out right in the end x

Tayto - for me a combination of keeping very busy, counselling, 'Buddhism for mothers' and supportive DH have helped me so far with my high-risk pregnancy.

That and focusing on this being a different pregnancy - a new hope and new possibility. There is no reason to assume it will be like my others and indeed the complications I have so far are different to the ones I have had before.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

Lol I am in Seabrooks territory these days, but hopeful of a return to the land of the little yellow man with the red suit. Did you ever try the tayto chocolate, bizarre.

Best of luck with ttc. I think that to have had two such losses, second and third tri, it will take every ounce of strength you can muster and more than could be put into words but if you feel that deep desire go for it. It would be unrealistic to expect a pregnancy without anxiety.. but you can find the deep well of strength in you to bear it and whatever comes from it if you truly want to try again. Though on the other hand, if you chose not to put yourself through that again, coming to terms with not having another baby is something you will find the grace to deal with too. It all sucks that it has to be hard but you can navigate your way through this no matter where the currents take you. Best wishes whatever you choose.

Hey I've just realised what your username is. Are you a northern or a southern Tayto? I am from Cork.