Severe anxiety at 34 weeks

[Feelingstressed444]

I don't know what I'm hoping to get out of this but just feel so alone that I need to say it out loud. I'm 34 weeks pregnant with my second child, and feel like my anxiety is literally making my head explore. I've had a really tough pregnancy compared to my first, physically it's been so overwhelming and I haven't enjoyed a single bit of it. But then even the thought of it being over scares me because I know how hard it will be with a toddler and a newborn.
I think I've always suffered with anxiety but never really acknowledged it. I'm such s control freak always ready to unleash my anger when things don't go to plan, I know this stems from my childhood.
But I don't know how to cope with it anymore, it's just taking over my life always feeling completely overwhelmed and waiting for everything to go wrong.
The problem is nobody around me seems to be taking me seriously. I have an amazing husband but he can't seem to spot the signs that I'm not coping or he doesn't know what to do. My mum hadn't realised, my midwife down plays everything. I even asked to see a mental health midwife, who felt I was doing really well because I'm trying to take care of myself by doing exercise as it usually helps my mental health. In reality I'm crying for help and just want someone to lift this cloud. I know I'm not depressed, but I'm so anxious constantly and I feel like there's absolutely nothing that can make it better.
Please someone reassure me that I'm not losing my mind.

Poor you. Would you consider seeing your doctor about this? There's so many things that can help, for example I had CBT years ago and that was amazing. I'm now pregnant too and my EPU have a counsellor that used to be a midwife and I'm having some sessions with her. Just to make sure my anxiety doesn't rear its ugly head. When my anxiety was at its worst I was prescribed a couple of books by my therapist which were really good. One was called The Worry Cure and the other Mind Over Mood. It sounds like you need some help to calm your mind. xx

Sorry you're feeling like this feeling and sorry you haven't been getting the support you're looking for. I've been really struggling with anxiety throughout my pregnancy too.

Can you try and see the mental health midwife again? Or even go to see your GP for a chat? They may be able to prescribe something for you (if that's something you're comfortable with), or they may be able to refer you for further treatment like CBT.

There's also things you can try to help reduce your anxiety in the meantime - have you tried the Headspace app? It has lots of mindfulness meditations you can try, some are just 2 or 3 minutes long so you can squeeze them in when you have a bit of free time. The exercise sounds good too, it's great you're still managing that at 34 weeks!

Above all be kind to yourself

Hey there! I'm really sorry to hear your suffering with this anxiety I can totally relate 😣I'm in the same boat as you! 36 weeks pregnant and I've been suffering terribly with anxiety throughout my pregnancy, getting to its worst around the 22 weeks mark. I'm not sure which area you're from but I told my midwife I'd been suffering with anxiety and obsessions etc, she downplayed it (same as you) to just being a normal part of pregnancy. She referred me to a mental health organisation called time to talk (again I'm in the south East so I'm not sure you'll have the same sort of thing). After contacting them, they bumped me to the top of the waiting list as I'm pregnant, and within 2 weeks they'd assessed me and I'm now having an hours CBT treatment a week which has helped me :-) I found telling people helped me as even if they hadn't realised they were able to support me and make me not feel so alone. I like you have also tried clean eating, exercise and I found chamomile tea when I was feeling totally overwhelmed calmed me. Is there an organisation your midwife can refer you to? What all did she say? X

Thank you so much for replying ladies. It makes me feel so much better that I am not alone and you have shared similar experiences.

I will definitely try the books, anything is worth a try. Above all it seems that CBT would be the best option. I am seeing the mental health midwife on Wednesday so will ask her. Or I wonder if it's worth going straight to my GP.

I'm living in West Yorkshire. To be honest my midwife didn't mention any extra help she was more concerned about going on leave for two weeks and booking to see me next at 37 weeks.
I'm sorry to hear that you've also had it so tough but so glad the CBT is helping.
Thank you for giving me hope!

If I was you I would go to the GP and tell the mental health midwife. If you are suffering, the sooner you get this sorted - the better. xx