aaaarrrrgh!

[peggyjean]

We have been TTC for 5 very painful years, a number of ops etc. Due to start IVF in Jan and then a miracle happened in Sept when I found out I was pregnant naturally. Still can't believe it!

I am at the best of times prone to a bit of hypochondria and I know I am not special in having these anxieties in pregnancy. I think I have been pretty good about keeping it in check and not letting it cloud what is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to us.

But today has been very testing! Found out this morning that DH has shingles (rash I begged him to go and look at all of last week confirmed by GP). Spoke to my mum after work and she is pretty certain I had CP as a kid but, idiot that I am, can't stop worrying that I will be the 1 in 100 person who isn't immune despite this. I haven't touched the rash directly but touched the skin around it last week before we knew. But basically I am being irrational!

Finally manage to convince myself of this, have a cup of tea and a snack (pitta and hummus), have more work to do but think "I'll just read the paper for five minutes" and there's a front page article about hummus being recalled from the shop I have just eaten from for salmonella fears!

I have been so, so careful not to eat anything risky so far, not even having any caffeine at all until I am 20 weeks, and now I have to worry about BLOODY HUMMUS!!!!! FFS!!!!

I am half laughing and half crying and hoping I am not the only one exhausted by trying to do the right thing and finding you have done exactly the wrong one accidentally...it's driving me a bit nuts....

Also apologies to anyone who feels I am making a mountain out of a molehill - a year ago I would have killed to have the privilege of these anxieties.

It's completely normal!

I avoided caffeine, drank my 2 Ltrs of water, avoided foods that were advised etc. Played everything by the book and unfortunately had a bad outcome (it was due to a heart defect at 20 weeks)

My anxiety was very high through every single stage even when I thought I was ok- so my advice is, keep calm, do what you feel is right and don't obsess over foods etc. Do not let anxiety rule you during pregnancy , enjoy it and keep relaxed. A happy mind and body is more healthy than worrying about if you should or shouldn't do a certain something while pregnant xxxx

Dear AlviesMam, thank you so much for taking the time to reply so generously and comfortingly, especially when I can see you lost your little boy so recently, I'm so so sorry you have had to go through that. And it's so kind of you to make the effort to comfort others when your own pain must still be very fresh. Wishing you all good things for the future, and a happier outcome soon. Take care of yourself and thank you again, you've calmed my racing brain a bit x

Sending you positivity and a massive congratulations

How stressful and no wonder you’re worrying. I had a missed miscarriage before my son. I remember obsessing about cheese and caffeine and essential oils and ... well everything.
Pregnancy can be a stressful time. It’s hardly surprising that you’re extra worried as you’ve had such a struggle to get there. You’re allowed!!
Try and keep the worries in perspective. And the very very best of luck.

Literally everything that passes you/ your lip you question! 🙈 it doesn't stop even after DC are born, well not for me anyway 😂. I am a worrier anyway and my pregnancy I worried about everything! Once I realised I stopped caffeine all together switched to de caf.
Freaked out if I missed a pregnacare tablet.
Congratulations on your pregnancy!

It is normal OP to worry, especially as you had a difficult start but you will drive yourself mad. Joyous part of pregnancy.
Talk to your midwife about shingle risk etc, can they test you?

Expecting Better book is really good and worth a read, incl that some caffeine is ok.
Good luck with rest of your pregnancy x

Thank you all so much for replying, so appreciated and very comforting to get your words of reassurance. What a lovely site this is.

I have been trying to call the midwife for the past week about a different issue (admin not medical) but can't get through, think that's a good suggestion though so I might see if the GP can do it. I have read Expecting Better, it's brilliant isn't it! And I do know that a bit of caffeine is fine, it's just after such a long wait I feel that for the first trimester I just don't want to risk anything, and I'm pretty fond of peppermint tbh...xxx