Suffering from anxiety - worrying about everything

[justonemorecake]

Hi,

I'm a teacher and 28 weeks pregnant. I thought the six week break would be really good for me - give me chance to relax and prepare things for the baby.

However, I feel it's just giving me time to sit and worry about everything to do with baby's well being. I am panicking about every little symptom (headaches, feeling a bit tired etc). But the thing I'm worrying about most is fetal movement. I end up monitoring it (sitting and counting kicks) at least 3 times a day. I'm beginning to get quite anxious and unable to enjoy doing other things.

Has anyone else experienced feeling like this? Does anyone have any tips for staying calm/ managing anxiety?

Thanks

I felt like this, through both pregnancies. I wish I had some tips but I don't. In fact the second time was worse, so much so that (for other reasons, but also because of this) I had an Elcs at 39 weeks. It is also the reason I will not have a third child. I think I would crack up.

I wish I had sought CBT at the time though, and would recommend it to you.

My post sounds grim and unencouraging but I will say I do not have intrusive thoughts about the health of my children, and am very no nonsense and sensible from that point if view. It was all pregnancy related - second each baby was safely delivered I felt every muscle relax.

Yes CBT. I am having it now due to post natal anxiety, tis good.

Thanks for your replies.

What is CBT? How do you get it?

The anxiety has quite taken me by surprise as I am normally relaxed/ sensible about health issues, but with this I just feel like the worry is building and building. I am scared that there will be something wrong and I will ignore it or not anything about it in time and that fear is making me monitor everything all the time.

Cognitive behavioural therapy. There are private psychologists who offer it - you will find a clinic in your area if you google. You may be able to get it on the nhs but your GP will probably just suggest counselling. You don't need counselling, you need strategies to deal with these thoughts and that's CBT.