Pregnancy anxiety support thread

[Kate3150]

Hey,

I thought it would be nice to set up a group for those suffering with anxiety at whatever stage of pregnancy.
I’m approaching 14 weeks and my anxiety has been up and down, particularly as I had a loss last year.
I’m currently having therapy and trying to stay active. Eating and drinking well...

Any tips/thoughts/rants welcome. xx

@Kate3150 I know, it just annoyed me at how insensitive people can be. I’m hoping my midwife appointment gives me some reassurance.

How is your anxiety now your little boy has arrived? Has it eased or is it a different type of anxiety?

@RC1985- Hope all goes well today my darling.

Anxiety has been a lot better since he’s arrived. But think I have the normal level of anxiety any new first time parent would experience having the responsibility of this little human being. I’m getting into a bit of a rhythm with things now.
I’m breastfeeding so often worry I’m producing enough to keep him going but so far so good 🤞🏻

Hi @Kate3150 Been to see midwife and after measuring my bump (which is measuring smaller than it should) she's sent me for a growth scan on Thursday as this was the next one available. They will plot my measurements against my height and weight and then decide if baby is small or not. She said if baby is small, they will have me in for regular scans to monitor the growth. If she continues to grow at a steady rate, they will probably induce me at full term rather than let me go overdue. If growth slows/stops they will probably get her out but because the scan said the placenta was working fine, she's not too concerned at this point. She said to be very vigilant of baby's movements and any slight change to go straight in. At least I'm being looked after.

Good to hear your anxiety is better now he’s here. Not sure if I’m going to breastfeed or not at the moment. Will see how I feel.

@RC1985- I’m so pleased that she listened to your concerns and has put you forward for monitoring. How are you feeling?
At least the private scan showed that alls well with placenta, that’s really good to know.
Definitely do what’s right for you with regards to breastfeeding. It’s harder than I thought but I’m just taking each day as it comes and not looking too far ahead xx

@Kate3150 I feel a little better, just hope she keeps moving like she has today. She’s been wild! I do think if my bump had of measured on target I would have had to fight to get my scan which is annoying.

I will definitely try BF in hospital but will prob switch when I get home but I might really take to it and like it. I suppose you don’t really know how you will feel about anything until it happens. Did you always want to do it or was it more, I’ll give it a try and see what happens?

Am having an anxiety day as got my consultant appointment next week. I take it that it's to discuss delivery as I lost 1.5l of blood with a tear first time. I don't want a a CS as hearing scare stories but also worried I will tear again. I also had high blood pressure in delivery but not sure if that means I will this time or if it was as they said and could have been due to pain.

Plus these palpations are driving me crazy still

@Raindancer411 when is your appointment next week? Have you been reading stories about c-section or is it from friends/family, either way it’s probably not helping your anxiety. Is there anything you can do to keep yourself occupied for a bit so you can have a bit of time out? Even if it’s just an hour?

It's not until the end of the week. It's mainly from people wanting to give their views. I have started back up on my genealogy to keep my mind busy but next week hubby and son back back to work and school

@RC1985- I was totally laid back about breastfeeding and just decided to see how it went. I was very very lucky and my little boy took to it no problems. I’m going to start expressing soon so I can share the feeds.
@Raindancer411- I had a c section my lovely. Any concerns/ questions please feel free to ask 💜

@Kate3150 Thank you :) I think I have more worries this time around than wish my first, but only as I am worried about anything happening to me and upsetting him. I just keep looking at all the families of two and more and trying to reason with myself shag loads of other women are ok after :)

@Raindancer411 sometimes others views can make it worse although I know some are only trying to be helpful. I’ve read loads of positive c-section stories recently on here including @Kate3150

Hope your genealogy helped to distract you from your thoughts for a bit, I do find that very interesting, wish I had the time for it.

Are any of you guys still working at the moment? I'm only around 13 weeks and I have been finding it really overwhelming trying to deal with all the emotions alongside a stressful job :/ spend most of my day in a panic!

@Saraj09876 yes I still work. Currently 29 +1 and will work up until 35 weeks unless anything changes. The first trimester and part of second trimester our hormones are all over the place. I got really emotional but I’m quite good at putting a front on and letting it out when I get home. Have you told many people yet, as this helped me talking about it with my mum and close friends. Also, mention it to your midwife as she can help too.

@RC1985- How did today go? X

Hey @Kate3150 it’s not until 6pm. I’ll give you an update later.

@Kate3150 Hey, had scan and she's still showing small but looks like she's grown from the private scan. I am now under consultant led care and will have weekly scans and appointments to monitor me. Xx

@RC1985- That’s great to hear she’s grown since your last scan, how are you feeling? X

@Kate3150 better that I’m getting monitored more closely but still worried. Next growth scan is in 2 weeks so this will allow me to really see if she’s growing or not. I’ve got a Doppler next Saturday too. How are you doing?

Yesterday I had my consultant visit. Apparently I have a 1 in 6 chance of retearing. They will have drugs to give me to limit the bleeding to hand in case I need them and some meds afterwards (from what I could make out). They said they deal with 2-3 heavy blood losses a week as train for them. 2-3 a week doesn't seem many when they probably have a good 100 people in a week. No mention of not having a normal delivery but any advice on c sections @Kate3150 wouldn't hurt in case lol

@Raindancer411- Do you have any specific questions or concerns? X

@RC1985- Of course it’s natural to worry but you’re in good hands and like I said it’s great she’s grown since your private scan.
I’m doing okay thanks lovely, attempting to pop out of a meal tonight. I’ve pumped a load of milk so hopefully it will be ok xx

@Kate3150 I guess it's mainly the side effects and risks that worry me (I haven't looked too closely into it). Also the recovering time.

@RC1985 thinking of you and hope all well. It sounds like they are really looking after you

@Kate3150 @Raindancer411. I'm only 8 wks nearly but if all goes well I will be having a section due to several previous back surgeries. Very relieved.

Can anyone reassure me that anxiety won't cause miscarriage? I'm not anxious all the time but strange worries and thoughts are creeping in and sometimes I feel very overwhelmed. My GP is referred me to mental health services at the maternity hospital. Most likely it's down to IVF hormones and things has become more intense since I got pregnant. Had scan on Thurs and all fine xx

@Raindancer411- okay, so risks are things like bleeding (which you can get with any kind of delivery anyway). Reaction to anaesthetic... things like that.
I’ll be honest... my recovery has been FANTASTIC! I’m 4 1/2 weeks post partum now and I’d say I’m back to normal. Bleeding has stopped.. pushed pram up a massive hill yesterday which I probably shouldn’t have done but I felt well enough to do
It. Honestly it WILL be fine!
@Maggie272- okay so what used to help me was to constantly remind myself that all anxiety is is thoughts and thoughts cannot hurt you. However scary or real they seem they are JUST thoughts.
Hormones don’t agree with me and I tend to find my mental health is worse at times when hormones are all over the shop.
I’m so pleased to see you’re getting the support you need. I’m here if you ever want to talk.
My pregnancy was such a struggle because of anxiety so totally know how you feel xx

@Maggie272 I was only thinking of you today, wondering how you’re getting on. Can’t believe you’re 8 weeks already! What has your GP said about your anxiety, have you asked if can affect pregnancy? I don’t I’m afraid but I do think being referred and getting help is a great first step and hopefully this will ease your anxiety. Like you say it is probably just the hormones from the IVF.

@Kate3150 I hope your meal went well.