Is it normal to be this anxious?

[VJONES1985]

Will be five weeks on Tuesday and am already worrying about things. Some days I wonder if I really am pg. Other days I think something terrible has happened without me knowing it. If I don't have symptoms for a while, I worry. Can't believe I have to wait till my scan to find out!!!

yes!! it's one worry after another... after the 12 week scan you'll be worrying about the 20 week scan... and it goes on & on until they're about 30 I guess

I used to panic when I drove a car in case I crashed it .

The anxiety settled down after a couple of weeks. Then I was back at the gym and feeling pretty robust again. Didn't get so anxious in my second pregnancy.

I was like that for a bit at the start. I decided after a bit that most of the things that can go wrong I had no control over whatsoever so stopped panicking and calmed down. You'll drive yourself bonkers otherwise, and anyway being stressed isn't great for the baby. Get a good antenatal vitamin - B6 in particular helps balance the hormones that are going bananas in your body at the moment (helps you feel more sane!).

I am feeling like this at the moment - totally paranoid - not helped by a 'high risk' hobby (I have my own horse) and not being sure what I should and shouldn't be doing with her.

Glad I am not the only one - I too am early days 5 weeks.

It's normal. But keep an eye on how you're feeling. Sometimes too anxious is a problem.

You could go for a "reassurance" scan (you'd probably need to go private) when you think you are 8 weeks. There's usually a heart beat to be seen at this gestation.

Hi VJones, I remember your posts from the pregnancy boards - congratulations on your pregnancy.

It is normal to be anxious but like a previous poster said you really will make yourself ill with it. You can't affect what's going to happen, you can just try and look after yourself as best you can, including minimising stress where possible.

Maybe book yourself an early scan for a few weeks time to give yourself something to focus on?

We can't afford an early scan but I think I need to just keep calm and carry on! I had feelings of pressure for the last few days which I haven't got at the moment, so I think that kicked off my worrying. That and reading horror stories about things going wrong.

You're right though, all I can do is look after myself and not stress.

I was really surprised how anxious I was in the early days, it was a big shock, made me realise how much I hate being in control!

As time goes on it does get a lot easier, as you get further into pregnancy things get a lot more textbook for everyone so there isn't the worry about symptoms vs no symptoms etc. I've found it much much easier since I started to feel baby move and got past the 20 week scan.

Good luck with everything and it's easier said than done but try and relax a bit. Every day is a day further on!

But my worry is that I won't get further along. It's that control freak in me!!

By the way, think I'm actually nearly six weeks, not five. Period began on Nov 12th (week 1), week 2 was Nov 19th, week 3 was Nov 26th, week 4 was Nov 3rd, week 5 was Nov 10th (this week). So, that means Tuesday (Nov 16th)

Yes and no. Heightened anxiety might be a normal hormonal response for you, which doesn't make it any less miserable. It's actually really helpful to realise that beyond the obvious (eating well, vitamins, exercise if poss, avoiding dangerous stuff) you really don't have a lot of control over what happens at this stage.
Reading Emily Oster's 'Expecting Better' was a huge anxiety buster for me as it set risk factors out very calmly and factually.

Will be week six?? Am trying to get my head around how this works.

Julie - it's a normal response for me generally, as I'm a big control freak. But I'm beginning to accept that there are some things I have no control over. Thanks.

When I found out I was pregnant I was convinced I would miscarry. I was poking my boobs hoping they would hurt and sobbing on a daily basis. I had an early scan and relaxed a bit after that. I just had very few symptoms and feel great throughout my pregnancy. Very lucky really but some days I yearned to throw up just so I knew I was pregnant. I hope you feel a bit better after your scan ans can begin to enjoy your pregnancy.

Thanks :-) Currently trying to work out how many weeks I actually am, ha ha!

I didn't feel at all pregnant till gone 20 weeks and even then I lived in fear that one day the midwife would tell me I had just eaten too much.

Ha ha! Excellent.

Hi vjones, I'm 4 + 2 weeks pregnant and feeling much the same way you are. I also had a huge row with my husband last night :-(. I'm sure we'll both start to feel better soon.

Oh and my last period began on Nov 16th so our dates will be v similar :)

Yes, my period began on Nov 12th so that makes me 4+4 weeks and my due date August 19th :-)

That's nice to know, pinkandwhite :-)

One thing that does help me is listening to my Zita West pregnancy relaxation download. It was only £15 and is pretty nice. Might be worth a try...

Oh, haven't heard of that. Where's it from?

I got it from here:

www.zitawest.com/buy/downloads/pregnancy/relaxation-download-for-pregnancy.htm

It's definitely taken the edge of my anxiety.

Thanks,will get that on pay day.