Why can't I stop worrying?

[Smanfer71]

All the tests I've had have been fine, I am putting on weight and eating well and yet I can't shift this feeling of worry that something may be wrong or might go wrong. This is my first pregnancy.

When I had my 20 scan at 20+1 (my dates), bump's head circumference measured 19+4, whereas his/her waist measured 20+2. There was no concern, nothing was mentioned - I only happened to see it on the screen. I know that there's only 4 days difference, which in the grand scheme of things is nothing, but at my nuchal scan, the baby's measurement was again small.

I'm paranoid that I'm now going to have a small baby that isn't developing well.

My dates have not been changed throughout my pregnancy and everyone is happy about the way things are progressing.

My bump is very small in the mornings (although it does get larger in the mornings) and I am in maternity clothes, although I don't think I "look" like the pregnant models you see everywhere in magazines etc.

My next midwife appointment isn't until 4th September, which seems like a lifetime away to me. The last time I rang my m/w (there is a team of them there), she seemed so dismissive, and almost like she couldn't wait to get off the phone.

I don't know what to do? How can I alleviate this (probably irrational) worrying? I'm now 22+4.

Hi Smanfer - I think it's quite normal to feel scared and apprehensive throughout pregnany. DOn't worry about how you look - DS was 8lb 11oz and I didn't really start to 'look' pg until at least 6 months - probably just means your tummy muscles are nice and firm!

The disparity in your dates doesn't sound too concerning but if you are worried please call your midwife back. If she doesn't reassure you go and see your GP. They're there to help you through pregnancy, not make you feel silly or paranoid and if sounds like you could just do with some reassurance from someone who knows what they're on about. Don't feel like your bothering them - it's their job to be bothered!

BTW, I'm 34 wks into this pg and my dates were over a week out when I compared my last period to the scan predictions and that's pretty common too.

I'm sure there'll be other people along to reassure you soon too!

Hi Smanfer, this worrying, for me, never stopped during my first pregnancy and after ds was born, there were new things to worry about. I think it's being a 'mum'.

If there was a problem with the sizing, I'm sure they would have notified you. I feel the NHS are very vigilant, almost too vigilant at least in my area (London).

Don't worry about how you look either. If the midwives were worried about your size, they'd send you for extra scans. I didn't grow much at all with my ds and I had extra scans.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, this is your first pregnancy, I think your worries are very much part of being a mum now. Just wait till your baby's born, you'll have lots of new stuff to worry about!

Good luck.

Hi am new here but just wanted to say the worrying didn't stop for me either in my 1st pg., not 'til I saw my son with my own eyes. I used the wish we were give a little window on our tummies. I'm now 24wks. into my 2nd pg. and finding it a lot less of a worry. If your health carers were at all concerned over your babys' development, they would have said. Take care, and hope this helps. ) x