Did anyone else constantly worry that there was something wrong with their baby?

[SussexTee]

Had a really shitty pregnancy so far.

I'm nearly 30 weeks. Baby has had an echogenic bowel throughout but we have been told this is likely nothing (still hangs over my head that it could be something awful).

Had lots of bleeding throughout.

I have a very disabled sister and cousin who neither were visibly disabled on scans. My sister has a very poor quality of life.

I have a very real anxiety that my baby is not well/deformed/will be stillborn.

I don't want to go in to labour. I am scared to take that first look at my baby in case there's something awfully wrong.

Is this a normal fear? Or am I sounding a bit loopy right now?

Anxiety is taking over. I just want my baby to be okay. Minor things I can deal with but I'm convinced there will be something devastating wrong...

Bump?

Hi, I don't want to leave your post unanswered but I can't write very easily at the moment as I've just had my baby and am in hospital.

I just wondered if you have had genetic counselling at all and if not, would 're immmmmebd you ask your midwife about the possibility.

Hi @BertieBotts - I did, but they told me that because I'm mixed race and my partner is white, that the test results for cystic fibrosis weren't as accurate as they would hope, so not sure how to feel. Just can't get out of my head that something is wrong.

@SussexTee I have had this. I've had quite severe asthma throughout and am worried that the baby has not had enough oxygen and will have cerebral palsy. Two of my best mates also have children with rare and serious disablilities that weren't seen on ultrasound and couldn't be tested for before hand. So I am terrifyed and think something must be wrong. I have been advised to talk to my MW and get some suppprot or counseling. Hope your baby is healthy X

I have this. I could have written your post...I am actually having to fake excitement to other people because I can't picture a healthy baby. It's horrid. I am getting help via my midwife....definitly keep talking to people x x x

Talk to your midwife or health visitor. If it is really affecting your mood and how you are enjoying life etc they may refer you to perinatal mental health who can provide support for you :) it’s good you are talking about how you are feeling but also accept support too, you don’t have to cope with this on your own

Definitely mention your worries to the midwife.

My brother has SN (will never be independent, pretty happy but hard work) and I have a distant cousin with different SNs.

When I had my booking appointment I told my midwife and she referred me to a geneticist, who got hold of my brother's genetic testing results (done a few years ago, not related to my pregnancy) and I told her mine and DPs family tree as much as I could back a few generations.

The geneticist explained some stuff about my brother's results and how it wouldn't (that's the theory) be a problem for my children like it would for his (hypothetical) children.

I was reassuring to have someone properly go through it specifically for me, I'd hope you could get similar.