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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Sick with worry - please help!

36 replies

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 19:04

Hi all,

I'm probably going to sound completely mad but I am desperate for advice and help as my OH thinks I'm being irrational and paranoid. And I probably am but it doesn't stop my brain whirring away like no business and making me feel like I've ruined our chance of having a healthy baby.

I'm around 6 weeks pregnant and last night I cooked a lovely lamb casserole. The meat was thoroughly cooked and I was careful to wash the veggies. However, although I remember washing my hands after handling the meat I'm worried that I transfered bacteria (namely toxoplasmosis) onto the tap and recontaminated my hands after switching off the water and then put them to my mouth and infected myself and my LO. Does that sound crazy? I am at my wits end with anxiety, have been crying hysterically, etc. Does anyone have any advice or thoughts? I'm so sorry if I sound nuts, I just can't believe what I've done and am tying myself in knots.

Thank you xx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Gemerama · 02/04/2015 19:08

This reply has been deleted

This poster has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to remove this now.

BlinkAndMiss · 02/04/2015 19:23

Oh OP, we've all been there in the blind panic we feel when we've done something we shouldn't have. But on this occasion you haven't done anything wrong.

The chance of toxoplasmosis is minuscule; the way that you think you may have contracted it is even less. You really must stop giving yourself a hard time and forget about it - being calm is the best thing for your baby, not being stressed and anxious.

Get your feet up tonight and remember that your baby will be safe, it's about minimising small risks and not about being obsessive.

I hope you feel better soon, it's an anxious time but you must focus on being relaxed and positive.

BikeRunSki · 02/04/2015 19:30

Sweetheart, you do sound crazy. I'd say perfect reason for you to put your feet up and your OH to cook . As others have said, relax and carry on as normal (assuming normal isn't binge drinking and raw eggs!).

TakesTwoToTango · 02/04/2015 19:33

You will be fine on the toxo front op. But I am worried about your anxiety levels. It is totally normal to feel more anxious in pregnancy but what you describe does not sound normal and sounds very stressful and absolutely exhausting for you. I hope for your sake feeling like this is a one off, but if you start to find it hard to keep day-to-day worries in perspective like this then please do reach out for help. Many trusts have a dedicated midwife to help women struggling with pre-natal anxiety or depression. You don't have to feel like this. Good luck.

iwonder24 · 02/04/2015 19:38

You sound exactly like I was in pregnancy. I could tell you lots of ridiculous things I worried about as I was so terrified about contracting toxoplasmosis. I say ridiculous now but at the time it was blind panic. Honestly you will be absolutely fine! There are two senarios here:

You are already immune to toxoplasmosis
You're not but you've got through the first (28-36? I'm guessing!!) years of your life without contracting it without paying any particular care so you're not very likely to catch it in a 9month spell of your life when you are being very careful not to catch it.

Relax and put your feet up

sarkymare · 02/04/2015 19:41

You're right it does sound crazy! Honestly my love you have absolutely nothing to worry about.
It is going to be a very long 9 months if you continue to overthink things this much.

Push it right to the back of your mind and relax with your feet up. You've done nothing even remotely wrong and your baby will be fine.

I've never actually eaten a lamb Casserole. It sounds lovely, was it nice?

cedricsneer · 02/04/2015 19:41

I agree with tango - your anxiety is far more worrisome for the baby both in pregnancy and when it is born. Maybe have a chat with your gp/midwife about it?

Original poster

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 19:42

Thank you so much all for your incredibly kind words and reassurance. I desperately needed to hear voices of sanity! The trouble is, you've all set me off crying again with your lovliness! I can't express how thankful I am.

I think I definitely have an anxiety problem / antenatal depression and I am going to get some help for it as soon as I see the midwife. This hasn't been the first time I've been in a blind panic about something or other and you're right, I am exhausted! This sprog will be my first and being a bit of a perfectionist the slightest mistake I turn into a catastrophe.

Once again, thank you a million times for being so sweet and rational. I could give you all a massive hug. I feel loads better already xx

OP posts:

hestialou · 02/04/2015 19:43

Does it come from freshly killed livestock, if lamb has been chilled probably killed of the bacteria? If not chance is very very small, try not to worry xx

sarkymare · 02/04/2015 19:45

I completely agree with what tango says

Original poster

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 19:45

Ooh yes sarkymare, lamb casserole is delish, although I've kind of gone off it now!

OP posts:

Gemerama · 02/04/2015 19:48

This reply has been deleted

This poster has privacy concerns, so we've agreed to remove this now.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 02/04/2015 19:49

You do sound crazy but your pregnant so it's allowed

I was a big ball of anxiety in the first trimester, it's those pesky hormones, I worried and got myself in a state about everything you and your baby will be fine x

Original poster

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 19:50

hestialou - it was from a packet from Sainsbury's so hopefully will be fresh and bacteria free... xx

OP posts:

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 02/04/2015 19:50

I sobbed for 50 mins over burnt toast that's how irrational I was.

Original poster

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 19:54

Thanks so much Gemerama and smiling! I know I must try and be more disciplined with my thoughts. I am normal normally! xx

OP posts:

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 02/04/2015 20:01

flora there is no normal once those hormones kick in just irrational crazy pregnancy thoughts

Original poster

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 20:10

smiling - I definitely have those!

OP posts:

NickyEds · 02/04/2015 20:14

My dp is a researcher and has studied Toxo extensively. You haven't got it this way. I promise! It's actually quite delicate and "dies" easily-a lab he colaborated with has tried for 15 years to find a medium that it will live in easily (outside of a cat that is) so that they can study it and your tap ain't it! You can get it from raw meat but you'd have to eat the raw meat and lots of it. Try not to worry too much op

bunny85 · 02/04/2015 20:24

Oh I feel your pain I'm myself like this if not worse! I worried myself sick when I was 4,5 weeks after having eaten few stale biscuits, and lovely ladies on here kindly admitted I'm crazy and need to relax As for the raw meat, I once accidentally caught my best friend cutting up a rabbit and then proceeding to salad right away - she was already breastfeeding at the time. She looked surprised when I stopped her. I can only imagine how many times she was doing it when she was pregnant, and guess what, she and the baby are perfectly fine! He is now 2,5 and adorable. So breathe in, breathe out, it's a long journey and blunders do happen, and it's fine, as long as it's not binge drinking and constant raw eggs as pp has mentioned.

ShipwreckedAndComatose · 02/04/2015 20:36

It's 8 years since I was where you are and I remember the panic feelings well. Mine kicked in more after the birth rather than before.

Things that helped me were to remember that women have been having babies just fine for thousands of years and also babies are much, much tougher than they look.

Treat yourself with kindness and talk to HV and friends who have been through it too.

You'll be more than fine and you'll be considering secondary schools before you know it

Original poster

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 20:51

NickyEds - that is so incredibly reassuring, I can't even describe how relieved I feel. Thank you so, so, so much! I know how barmy I must sound. So pleased that my tap isn't a welcoming home to that nasty toxo fiend! Luckily I don't have much of a taste for raw meat or any now for that matter!

Aww, bunny, thank you! Really pleased to hear I'm not alone with the irrational panics. It's always great to hear when people have done worse things and mummy and baby turn out absolutely fine. And I'm pleased to report that absolutely no alcohol or raw eggs have passed my lips!

OP posts:

scarednoob · 02/04/2015 20:53

I panicked for about 2 hours that I'd eaten feta cheese this week... It's partly the hormones and partly how much we want these little babies!

You will be fine. Lots of Easter chocolate and resting for you!

toffeeboffin · 02/04/2015 20:57

I was exactly like this. When I was pregnant, we visited a friend’s house who had a cat, I was so nervous, I slept in a hotel!!

Believe me, you’ll be fine. Baby will be fine. You were strong and healthy enough in the first place to get pregnant, your immune system is stronger than you think!

Original poster

Flora2212 · 02/04/2015 21:22

Thanks so much scarednoob and toffeeboffin - I really am so grateful for everyone's responses and personal accounts. It makes me feel not so frightened and alone. Thank goodness for places like this which is full of such wonderful, caring and understanding people xxx

OP posts:

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