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

[RC1985]

@Raindancer411 yes had mine and it wasn’t very nice :( but didn’t last long. Are you apprehensive because of needles or because of something else?

[Raindancer411]

Not keen on needles but manage after having my first and muddle through. Mainly worried over side effects and they the NHS site say it's not really used in pregnancy "unless deemed necessary"

[anotherypasswordtoremember]

@Raindancer411 I think the 'necessary' bit often comes down to location. If you live in a built up city with millions of people then it's more necessary than if you live in a small village in the back end of nowhere. Could be routine for pregnant women in certain geographic locations

[RC1985]

@Raindancer411 it’s standard in my area but then I live in a town in the West Midlands. I had no side effects, it just felt a bit funny when it went in whereas the flu jab I didn't even feel the needle!

[snch]

Hi everyone,

I'm 10 weeks on Thursday and all day I've felt super anxious. I had a reassurance scan at 8 weeks and everything went well I had these feelings before that scan as well.
I just can't settle I just want to know everything is ok. I feel like I can't speak to my OH or family because they just don't get it.
I have days where I just fear the worst and I can't shake the feeling x

[anotherypasswordtoremember]

Thanks @Pastnowfuture & @RC1985. It helps to get it out so thanks for listening/reading. I feel I'm not often taken seriously as I usually look fine, which doesn't help.

Totally understand the hiding the baby stuff thing too! Pretty sure I'll be the same if I get to that stage. I started worrying about that the other day. I'm at a point where my regular clothes are starting to feel snug and I am wearing a hole in the crotch of my only pair of jeans. It seems mad buying new 'normal' jeans at this stage but I can't bring myself to buy anything maternity-ish even though I know I'll be more comfortable. So I just feel like a scarecrow in poorly fitting jeans that might burst at the crotch any moment.

[RC1985]

@anotherypasswordtoremember leggings are the way forward. I’ve literally lived in leggings, so comfy lol.

[Pastnowfuture]

@anotherypasswordtoremember @RC1985 I second leggings. Only have mine off to wear PJs!

[Maggie272]

Hi guys! I haven't had a chance to keep up with the thread lately but hope it's ok to check in. Found myself in maternity hospital this past weekend due to the anxiety. The doctor I saw said I have perinatal OCD. He was a bit of an a-hole, but the midwives, who were excellent, said it was common and they were great. I was so afraid the baby died because of how bad I felt, but they did a scan before I was discharged (even though the psychiatrist told them not to!) to reassure me and we could see the little arms and legs moving around. It was amazing xxx

[RC1985]

Hey @Maggie272 lovely to hear from you. What did they advise you about dealing with your anxiety? It’s good that they have said it’s common as at least you know it’s not just you. I have to say all the people I have dealt with in my maternity unit have been amazing, I honestly can’t fault them. I was a bit apprehensive about being under a consultant but she was so lovely. And every scan I’ve had, they’ve always printed a picture off for me too. Xx

[rlnx]

Hi everyone!
I'm 6-7 weeks with my first baby and I just cant stop worrying :( I'm a midwife in a high risk obstetric unit and I am absolutely terrified. I'm convinced something is going to go wrong, I just cant shake this horrible feeling :(

[RC1985]

Hey @rlnx firstly congratulations on this being your first baby, you are not alone on how you feel. I think everyone on this thread felt/feels that way. Have you had your booking appointment yet as it’s good to discuss your feelings at this appointment, there is lots of support out there to help you.

[Daisyfield1]

Hi all
I’m 8 weeks pregnant and feel since i found out I was pregnant at 4 weeks my anxiety is getting progressively worse. Had two meltdowns about 3 days after finding out as I panicked if we could afford everything and if we could afford maternity leave. Managed to settle that by literally going over every small thing and pricing up what it costs and making sure we can pay bills etc on maternity leave

Been feeling really sick and throwing up for hours every evening and then not been sleeping well just waking up at 2am and not been able to get back to sleep.
In the last few days I’ve started to worry about not liking the baby, not feeling that intense love everyone talks about, having post natal depression, not being able to cope with the tiredness when the baby does get here. Don’t have a great relationship with my mum so scared it will be the same with me and mine

Had anxiety for a while and always managed it well by doing things to feel more in control of whatever it is I’m anxious about but I don’t feel like I can do that because everything is so out of my control. Probably sound mental 😂

[Kate3150]

@Daisyfield1- you do not sound mental at all!!!
Don’t forget hormones in pregnancy can wreak havoc with ones ability to “think straight” if that makes any sense?
My anxiety went into overdrive during pregnancy and it just made everything so much harder. Plus you can tell a million people you feel anxious but still feel so alone.
What do you feel you need right now in terms of support? I had counselling up until I was around 28 weeks but I appreciate that’s not for everyone xx

[Daisyfield1]

@Kate3150 I never thought I’d have this issue when I became pregnant I think that makes it harder, just didn’t expect any of it.
I’ve had counselling in the past and found it really helpful just to organise my thoughts a bit and not feel like I need to be in control as much. It might be worth another go at it.
Had a chat with the other half and to be fair he was quite good, didn’t scare him off 😂
Made me feel a bit better. I feel like I need a holiday already 😂😂😂😂

[Kate3150]

@Daisyfield1- Have a holiday!! Honestly do whatever you feel you need during the pregnancy. I was forever treating myself to things, like going out for meals... cream teas (mainly revolved around food 😂)
You might find things settle as I think hormones are high in the first trimester and should settle at some point during second trimester.
You’re doing amazing and I’m always here to listen, feel free to send me me a private message if you ever need. I know exactly how you’re feeling xx

[Kate3150]

@RC1985- How are things my darling? X

[RC1985]

Hey @Kate3150 not bad. Last full week of work next week 😬 finish 24th. Not long now. Had growth scan last Thursday and they said they think she’s going to be a small healthy baby so after weekly scans, next one is in 2 weeks so a bit of a wait. Am a little anxious as friend lost her baby at 34 weeks but she keeps moving and have a MW appt Friday. Also getting concerned about this cornavirus and baby’s having low immune system.

How are you? Just out of interest are you using cellular blankets or a gro-bag? In my area they tell you to use cellular blankets and read the info on the lullaby trust but the lullaby trust partner with the gro-bag company and have approved. They seem nicer than blankets.

[RC1985]

Oh and how many muslin cloths do you think I’ll need, got 7 so far in a pack but think I might need more.

[Kate3150]

@RC1985- We have cellular blankets but to be honest we only really use them for the pram. Don’t want to overload you with things as I know it’s so overwhelming but our little one sleeps in something called an ergo pouch (swaddle basically) and you can get them in different togs.. so he’s in a 2.5! at the moment.
I think that’s plenty of muslins to be honest with you... I only have about 4/5 and mainly use them to cover myself breastfeeding.
OMG!!!!!! Can’t believe you finish next week; that’s so blimmin exciting! Have you pretty much got everything now??? I hope you’ve got a million nappies 😂... early weeks are a constant cycle
of feed, wee poop repeat xx

[RC1985]

@Kate3150 the gro-bag company have a swaddle gro which helps with transition from womb and then they move to a gro-bag where their arms are outside. They have various togs but was going to buy a thermometer to see what tog I need first.

Pretty much got everything now, just a few bits to get but most of it is over at my Nans.

Got nappies but don’t know how many I’ll need a day. Xx

[Kate3150]

@RC1985- IT WAS YOUR LAST DAY TODAY!!!!!!!!!! How are you feeling? X

[RC1985]

Hey @Kate3150 relieved as had had enough of commuting. So going to try and relax now before baby arrives. How are you? X

[Kate3150]

@RC1985- And make sure you do rest... watch films, read, enjoy your meals and try and SLEEP! I miss all those things 😂. I’m fine thanks just tired but it really is true you just find a way of managing and it becomes the new normal. How have your scans been going? X

[RC1985]

Hey @Kate3150 I am not looking forward to the sleep deprivation. But like you say, I think you just find a way to deal with it. Well I hope so. I have a scan Thursday, last one was 3 weeks ago and they were happy. Unless she drops in growth, they will keep her in until 39 weeks.