Offered 4-6 CBT sessions on NHS

[Fuzzyduck21]

But I'm worried it's not enough.

I'm 18 wks pregnant and since day 1 my anxiety has flared up big time. They say it's hormonal. I've always had problems but could manage them to an extent until now. I have obsessive thoughts, checking, intrusive thoughts, false memories, severe generalised anxiety, health anxiety (that I will accidentally cause harm to baby), can't sleep and just have a lot of noise in my head. I've been signed off work for a month, and I'm 2 weeks into that. I'm scared about going back to work.

Of course I am going into the sessions with an open mind and will take them seriously but what if they are not enough? Is that it? Nothing else they can do? I've had suicidal thoughts but wouldn't kill myself or harm at the mo.

They have offered meds but one of my issues is doing anything which can harm baby, and meds aren't 100% safe, so I feel this would only exacerbate that anxiety.

Thanks for reading

I'm sure that if you're still struggling after the CBT they'll continue to support you.

I had existing MH problems but I had a psychologist that I saw through pregnancy and for a year after my son was born. I found that MH support really increased for me during pregnancy and the post natal period. I hope it's the same for you!

I know it's difficult but try to take it one session at a time. Also speak to your midwife about whether you can see a specialist MH midwife, I found that useful too.

FWIW I took meds during pregnancy and my DS is fine. There are some meds that are considered safer than others and some that have a lot more research. It's a very personal choice though.