Anyone else terrified of having their 20 week scan?

[mrsksays]

I didn't find out I was pregnant until almost 14 weeks (a very happy accident and the first time I've ever been pregnant) and during that time I didn't exactly look after my body and I never took folic acid because we weren't trying. I'm 18+4 now.

Of course as soon as I found out I have been whiter than white. Everything is progressing fine - I had my dating scan and everything looked fine, my bloods and BP are fine, my quad blood test has come back low risk and I am feeling movements already.

BUT I still can't help worrying that they will tell me something awful at the 20 week scan. Everything seems to have been so easy for me so far - I almost feel like "something" must go wrong at some point, surely?

I'm almost scared to bond with the baby or make plans/buy anything because I'm so terrified something will be wrong.

I felt exactly the same and was so worried that something would be wrong as this is my first, we conceived immediately and i am desperate to be a mum.
I was terrified up to the 12 week scan and spent the time trying to be positive but also realistic that something could be wrong. Then the 20 week scan arrived and i again tried to be positive but also preparing myself that something bad could be found.
I am now 28 weeks and am starting to worry about premature labour..... I think its all completely natural to be concerned about your baby but always remember that they find problems in a small percentage of cases and a lot of problems they find are just things that they monitor and will fix themselves as the baby develops.

Yes - I know even if the 20 week scan goes fine I will still worry about premature labour or complications in labour!

It's SUCH a tense time!

thanks for replying :)

Me, I am. I have my 20 week scan on Tuesday and I have done nothing but worry. I amplify every little thing I've done wrong so far- that piece of blue cheese I ate, cleaning kittie litter etc. I'm not usually a paranoid person but I've definitely turned into one! I totally sympathise x

Always! There is usually some reason or another each pregnancy for me to dread it (this is DC4)

This time out I had really high levels of bHCG at my NT screening, which could indicate placenta problems. Plus baby has a borderline nuchal, so they'll be doing a cardiac scan as well. Mine is in 20 days and I cannot WAIT until it is over. So long as it's good news, of course.

Alas there is always something to be anxious over. Solve one issue and you will find another one to fixate on. Always!!

Good luck for yours! If it helps, I know of a few people in real life who smoked, drank, took the wrong medicines etc before finding out they were pregnant well into the second trimester. Their children are all fine - statistics are on your side generally as well, not just anecdotes :-)

Hi all, by dates seems like you must be due in march? There's an antenatal thread in the antenatal clubs section for march 2014 if you wanted to join - it's a really good place where there's a bunch of us due around the same time so really good to help with any niggles or just to chat really! Xx

Hi OP try not to worry & get too worked up.

I'm 28 weeks now but didn't find out I was pregnant until well into the second trimester- we weren't trying or planning for a baby, wasn't taking folic acid or other vitamins, still drinking alcohol as normal and eating all the things I shouldn't be.

I think the 20 week scan didn't feel quite real, we'd only really just found out & we're just shocked about the prospect of a baby rather than what might be potentially found on the scan, maybe this was a good thing.

All was ok, no issues so far touch wood.
Honestly try to relax & focus on being positive. It is a worrying time, but I think there is only so much control you can have over a situation.

I have a good friend who did not touch alcohol, cut out all sorts of foods & strenuous activities while TTC, she had a missed miscarriage at 12 weeks. We were actually at the same time but I was completely unaware of mine