Pregnant - Mental health crisis

[Changeythenamey]

I’m 7 and a half months pregnant and overwhelmed with anxiety. Husband is amazing and I have a good midwife and counsellor and I’m on medication. I just want to see my mum and dad who live at the other side of the country.

I have avidly stuck to the rules since the start but I feel like I’m at the end of my tether. I can’t sleep, I’m having constant panic attacks and intrusive thoughts about them dying before I see them. They have both been vaccinated and I have been shielding since before Christmas.

Could I drive to see them (alone) on the basis of my fragile mental health or would I be in breach of the rules? Honestly, the fine wouldn’t be an issue but I don’t want to break the rules but I feel like this is having such a huge impact on me now.

Sorry to ramble.

Go.

Yes definitely go.

In a few weeks when you have a baby, you will be allowed to support bubble with your parents. Just see it as starting that early.

Go if you want, but as a fellow anxiety sufferer I suspect seeing them won't help much. Is your counsellor offering CBT? I've had to try several CBT counsellors until finding one that ACTUALLY practices CBT and who could really help me.

Go. It’s been early a year of restrictions and I think we need to start prioritizing our mental health and taking responsibility ourselves as the government don’t seem to care at all about the impact of lockdowns.

Go.

@Katie517

Go. It’s been early a year of restrictions and I think we need to start prioritizing our mental health and taking responsibility ourselves as the government don’t seem to care at all about the impact of lockdowns.

This.

@Katie517

Go. It’s been early a year of restrictions and I think we need to start prioritizing our mental health and taking responsibility ourselves as the government don’t seem to care at all about the impact of lockdowns.

The problem there is that if too many people follow that advice in a casual way then the impact of lockdown and covid is likely to be greater on all of us, including those people themselves. Not saying OP shouldn’t go, she maybe should I am not sure, but just that advice like that has to applied very carefully and many people will get it wrong.

I do sympathise OP. Whether you see your parents or not, remember that you are in a heightened state of anxiety right now with pregnancy and everything, and your parents are likely at much much less risk of dying from covid than you fear. Wishing you the best, I am 32 weeks and on anti anxiety meds too so I understand

Your baby feels what you feel. Go if it’ll reduce your anxiety

Please go. I lost my dad a few years ago and if I had the chance to drive and see him tomorrow, I’d risk a £200 fine several times over to do so.

I am pro lockdown but the one part I have never supported is making it illegal to see close family. Nothing is more important than this - and they have been vaccinated. The risk is minuscule. Go.

I think you should nit go.

The only pregnant women required to shield are those with certain cardiac issues. And that is not a trivial matter.

I recommend you seek support from your MW and counsellor, such that you can remain safely shielding until,after delivery. And than see if you can get a fast-track review from your cardiologist to see if you still need to shield.

In the 6 weeks or so until delivery, and then a few weeks until you feel like moving much, and with the possibility that your shielding might be over at the point anyhow, it s definitely worth hanging on