Could I be pregnant?

[Skysha]

So I don't know what to do or tell anyone. But I'm really scared I'm pregnant. I've taken a pregnancy test which was negative around 2 weeks ago. I don't always get my period as well since I had my twins in Feb 2017. I'm not looking to get pregnant and me and my husband have been very strict about contraception and have been using contraception. So my symptoms are nausea, feeling full very quick, blocked nose and thrush. These are all primary symptoms I had when I was pregnant with my girls. I already have a 6 year old too and I have mental health and feel like I'm not fit to be pregnant or a mother again. I know I can't abort but I just feel so stuck and scared to even take another PG test. Has anyone else had these symptoms before and ended up not preg or preg?

Sounds like you've got a lot on OP.

I know you know this, but the only (sensible initial) way to know if you're pregnant is to take a test.

Take a deep breath and POAS.

Once you know if you are or not, you can take action.

If you are, you can talk to your husband, a friend, and/or your GP or therapist if you have one to think about what to do next.

Get treatment for the thrush. Quick in and out at pharmacy. Itchy vag makes anyone feel panicky.

Are you receiving treatment for your mental health issues? If not, consider that. If you are pregnant and you do decide to keep the baby there are perinatal MH services who may be able to support you.

Maybe try to get some rest, although that must be hard with the twins. Can anyone give you a bit of a break?

I just finished working with the perinatal team as my girls turned one and I'm known to the mental health services and currently receiving help from early intervention psychosis. I'm just getting so worried and it's really effecting me. I don't get how I could be pregnant we have been using contraception religiously. I feel like I am pregnant I have had two successful pregnancies before and I kinda had the gut feeling like I'm having now and I'm just so scared to even take a test. I can't abort it would push my mental health sky high but then keeping a baby would probably end up back to me suffering post natal psychosis. There's just no win win. My family do try to help but they dont no the extent of my mental health. My parents are old Asian back minded they don't understand mental health they just think it's jinn possession.

If your parents think this is down to djinn possession they probably wouldn’t understand an abortion either right? There are some MH services aimed specifically at women in the muslim community; sometimes local mosques / community centres in muslim areas will have info. Life-coaching also helps in addition to medication as it allows you to talk through your problems with someone who may be from the same background as you.

Face the lion in the den and take the test. Otherwise, you're just chasing your tail, OP and working yourself into a bad state. Don't do that to yourself. You have to take the test and be strong.

I really, really feel for you. I had PND with psychosis after DC2. I didn't have a whiff of it, not even a hint, with DC3, though I was very closely monitored during and after my pregnancy. I had a lot of clinical support because of my history and I think that in itself kept me really balanced. I knew I had a safety net. Knowing this is half the battle.

It doesn't matter what your family thinks because, if you are pregnant, the support doesn't have to come from them. The REAL support comes from the midwives and clinicians who will be involved in your care. You will have the handhold that you need. Often family cannot offer this anyway, so try not to hone in on your family's views. Hard not to, I know.

Trust in the care you have in place. I was terrified with DC3. Maybe it was just a fluke, but honestly, I couldn't have asked for a happier pregnancy. This too could be your experience.