24 weeks and anxious - how long does pregnancy anxiety last?

[24weekspregnant]

I'm just about to turn 24 weeks pregnant and had been so relaxed and excited up until a couple of nights ago when i woke up in a panic out of the blue. I think this was triggered by some strong kicks which freaked me out a bit but since then i can't switch the anxiety off. I'm not scared about anything in particular, just overwhelmed. I can't concentrate on anything and have a feeling of dread at the pit of my stomach that won't go away. I know anxiety in pregnancy is common, but will i feel this way for the rest of pregnancy or will it come and go? I don't think i can deal with this continuously for the next 16 weeks

Until 28 weeks for me, then it returned at 40 weeks (due date), during the wait for induction, during the birth (botched EMCS) and then the worrying about the baby began.

It's stressful but just try to acknowledge when your thoughts become too much, ie taking over your day to day and focus on other things. Hard to do but keep busy not thinking about the baby!

Thanks for your reply, it makes sense. Do you know what made it lift at 28 weeks? How long overdue where you?

Passing 28 weeks helped because I've known babies who have been born that early and made it with the help of NICU!

Sorry that you are anxious. Nobody tells you how it really is, that pregnancy isn't just morning sickness and a big belly.

Hope you can relax and keep busy with other things x

thanks, i'm not worried so much about the baby as i feel her movements so strongly, i feel like i will know if anything is wrong, i'm more anxious about feeling anxious. i want to enjoy this pregnancy, not hate it x

It is normal to be anxious, but at the same time if you feel really overwhelmed or it is affecting your ability to enjoy day to day life then do talk to your midwife or GP. And your partner if you have one.

Maybe try writing some things down as well? I have felt quite overwhelmed at times with the thought of all the things that need to be prepared, eg crib, pram, hospital bag etc etc but I found writing things down helps me to get that anxiety in check and plan so it doesn’t feel like a mountain to climb. Also I’ve come to realise I need to rest more and accept that I can’t always get as much done each day as I did pre-pregnancy - not just physically but mentally I have had to adjust and be kind to myself. I’m 35 weeks now and I do have anxious times, but I also find light exercise really helps and having a good soak in the bath at night listening to a podcast or something helps me to unwind. It’s hard work growing a human so go easy on yourself and talk it through with someone x

Thank you so much, I plan on going to my GP if this anxiety doesn't lift after a few more days but I don't think they can really do much to help unfortunately. I just had a good cry and talked to my partner about how I was feeling and I do feel a bit better now. I'm exhausted which is probably making things worse. Your advice about being kind to myself and trying to unwind is really helpful. I've got a hypnobirthing relaxation track which I am about to listen to which is supposed to help me think more positively about pregnancy and labour. Congratulations on being 35 weeks, the final stretch, it sounds like you are managing really well. There's no surprise we feel anxious really. I just hope it's not going to be a permanent feature of my pregnancy