Am i just a lost cause - BMI, Anxiety, Blood pressure

[Hailw]

Been doing reading and had a first talk to a midwife today and it makes it seem like everything is all going to go wrong.

My BMI is slightly high so need to go to the doctors for more folic acid. Does this mean there could be a problem with the baby?!? Even before everything has really started (4-5 weeks currently) im not huge by any means at size 14 but feel as if i have doomed my baby from the start.

No idea how to bring my BMI down safely- is just some light exercise enough? I was starting to lose weight before by cutting out junk food. But now feel terrified about doing anything that could cause harm.

I have never been on blood pressure medication but i hate the machines so have had high readings before so worried i will be asked to go on meds and what that could do.

Overall just very lost and worried. My husband dosent want tell anyone till the week 12 scan but I feel like i am going out of my mind with stress and anxiety with no one to talk too.

The midwife even said go see the doctor about getting something for the anxiety but i worry about how that could harm the baby.

Sorry you are feeling like this early pregnancy is a worrying time anyway without extra stresses. With regards to the bmi I would try not to worry too much as though not necessarily ideal many babies are perfectly fine with slightly overweight mothers but speak to the gp about it if you are concerned they may recommend some exercise etc.

I think as long as you are taking some folic acid you are doing the right thing until you get the higher dose. Some people don't even know they are pregnant until much later and therefore don't start any until much later.
With your blood pressure I too have white coat syndrome where it is always higher at the gp than 'normal' they advised me to do readings at home for a week twice a day (would loan a machine from gp but I actually bought one from amazon for around £25) and my readings are fine at home. As I have a history of high BP and family history of pre-eclampsia and high bp was advised to take a low dose aspirin every day from 12 weeks now 16 and bp is still normal if not slightly low. The doctor won't put you on any medication which will harm your baby but it is important to keep it under control if it is high.
I know it is hard and anxiety is not nice at the best of times so please make sure you speak to your gp/midwife about it as they are there to help.

I have a high(ish) BMI (am a size 16) and have always had a BP on the higher side of normal.

I took aspirin in my first pregnancy (healthy 2.5 year old DS now) and am taking it again in this pregnancy. My BP has gone up slightly and I am now being medicated for it. There are lots of BP medications that are completely safe in pregnancy so please try not to worry about that. It is safer for the baby for your BP to be under control.

I wouldn't worry about the folic acid side of things either. As a PP mentioned, lots of pregnancies are accidental and people take no folic acid at all.

Anxiety in pregnancy is extremely common, please see your GP to discuss it, there is help available. There is also a charity that supports women with antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, they have a helpline and you might find them helpful. They are called PANDAS.

Good luck OP and congratulations!

www.pandasfoundation.org.uk/

I wouldn't worry to much, apparently I'm obsessed and my BMI is far to high, I'm a risk as this is pregnancy numbsr 7 but third live baby , I'm geriatric and other deliveries have been c sections, also had numerous issues in previous pregnancies which make managing me very complex and I swear the midwife sighed as I gave her all the details !, I was supposed to take extra folic acid but puked it back up everyday without fail so gave up in the end

Also, if you did want to look at reducing your BMI whilst pregnant it is safe to do Slimming World. Just make sure you tell them you're pregnant and they'll make the necessary adjustments to the plan for you.

Not a lost cause OP. High bmi in this, my fourth pregnancy, last pregnancy resulted in induction and during labour my blood pressure went very high, diagnosed with post partum pre-eclampsia which took 10weeks to get back to a safe reading. Always slightly raised now so on aspirin and monitored fortnightly (22 weeks). Also classed as old at 37 years. I dread the midwife appointments as they are never positive. Despite 3 pregnancies, straightforward labours (although induced once for foetal growth), no pain relief, grazing or tearing all I hear is how many complications I will have and have to see an anaesthetic consultant to discuss my pain relief. I get the making people aware of risks but it is as if they forget your a person. I had begun getting fitter when I became unexpectedly pregnant, have carried on but with no high impact exercise. Spinning bike, walking and swimming with a pregnancy yoga DVD twice a week and watching my diet. Like you I was prescribed higher dose folic acid, but struggled to keep it down 20week scan showed baby doing well so far. Try not to worry, eat well, exercise, relax and enjoy your pregnancy.