Anomaly scan fear

[magneticfield55]

Hey all. I'm 20 weeks pregnant and don't have my scan until the 14th. My body has also conspired against me to give me an anterior placenta so I have no movements for reassurance. I am utterly terrified of the scan. My pregnancy (first) has been problem free so far, MW keeps telling me it's going well but nothing is reassuring me and I'm too frightened to connect with it, think of it as a "baby" in case I lose it, and I'm not enjoying the pregnancy.

I want to and I want the anomaly scan to put me at ease but keep seeing people who've had bad news. I'm also petrified I've done something to badly damage it, that I've given it brain damage or a defect.

Is this anxiety unreasonable or is it normal? None of it has motivated me in a positive way. I've not been as healthy as I should because I keep thinking I'll lose it anyway. I want to enjoy it, this is a wanted (but unplanned) pregnancy and we're so excited about it. Thanks in advance.

I think that perhaps your anxiety levels are higher than they should be, yes. Why would you think you have brain damaged or harmed your baby? It's also really normal not to feel the baby yet, especially with an anterior placenta.

Please do talk again to your midwife about how you're feeling.

It's normal to worry. I have a feeling of dread before all my scans because I'm sure they are going to tell me bad news, it's only natural. I just had my 20 week scan last week and it was amazing! I too have an anterior plancenta but felt my first movement at 16 weeks, at 21 weeks there is not mistaking the big kicks I'm getting each day so you may well start feeling it really soon!!! Try and remember that things are more likely to be ok than not, it's always good to be a cautious but 99% of the time things are fine. This is my first pregnant too and I can't believe the constant worry I have all the time but I think it will still be here when the baby comes, just worrying about something else. Good luck and let us know how you get on x

I could have written your post OP - I am 19 weeks with dc2 and have my scan on Tuesday. I've felt very little movement - I'm sure it was more obvious with dc1. Just convinced I'll get bad news, but there's no real reason to think that. Am finding it really hard - I wanted to enjoy this pregnancy as it will be my last, but just worrying all the time :(

I remember thinking 'why wouldn't there be something wrong' and found it hard to be relaxed before either scan (2 dcs), i do think it's normal to be concerned but you have to wait it out unless you can afford to get an extra private scan.
Fingers crossed it'll be fine, because, as it was for me, it is for the great majority.

OP, it's completely normal and I could have written your post in my first pregnancy. Went to 20 week scan feeling very little connection with baby and honestly thinking that the sonographer would tell me that i had imagined the whole pregnancy or that something terrible was wrong. She could see that I was nervous practically in tears and was very lovely. I think they are used to dealing with nervous mums to be. Everything was fine, and as my MW pointed out, if you are a person who takes comfort in statistics, then chances are that everything will be absolutely fine. I also had an anterior placenta and didn't feel a thing until 24 weeks. Again told that it was quite normal x

Try not to worry OP. We had our 20 week scan the week before last and I felt exactly the same as you. I also knew in advance I had a anterior placenta (and now confirmed as low lying too). I'm expecting DS3 and in both previous pregnancies felt strong movements early on and was really reassured by this. This time though I felt nothing (until recently) and was probably the most anxious I've ever been about a scan!! We were lucky as we had a fab sonographer who quickly put our minds at ease. If this is DC1 please be prepared for a possible long silence while the sonographer is doing her checks. Sometimes they tell you in advance they won't talk until they're finished because they're concentrating on their checks but if they don't give you that warning it can be really unsettling. I'm sure all will be fine though. As for your anterior placenta- I'm 22 weeks tomorrow and just this last few days have felt movement. I have to be half lying down on the sofa but it does seem to get him moving . Wishing you lots of luck x

I'm 20 weeks and still not felt any movement. Scan is on Friday and trying hard not to worry -I was dreadful in the run up to the first scan. How do you know if you've an anterior placenta? Would they have seen it at the 12 week scan.

Just to prewarn you, I've heard from other folk that the 20 week scan can be quite serious and less chatty as the sonographer is doing a careful check. So don't be worried if they are quite quiet -it doesn't mean something is wrong, it means they're concentrating.

I think it's pretty normal, although I do have an anxiety disorder and scans etc scare me.

With dc1 I was slightly concerned before 12 week scan.

20 week scan didn't even cross my mind I just assumed everything was ok.

This time I was terrified before both my scans waiting for them to say something is wrong.

I also had an anterior placenta (I'm 37 weeks now and it moved around 34)

I was really concerned about movements by 20 weeks and I went in and they listened to HB for me etc which helped put my mind a rest.

I'm sure everything will be fine I started feeling proper movements around 25 weeks xx

Good luck x

It's usual not to feel movement until 20 weeks plus in a first pregnancy.