Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

I found out I am pregnant and totally freaked out

26 replies

Terrified34 · 29/11/2019 02:49

Hello, I am new to this and so sorry if my post will upset anyone. I just don’t know where else to turn.

I am 34, soon 35 and with my husband we decided it’s time to give it a go, though we love our life and travelling a lot, and are really lazy people too...but my clock is ticking and what if we don’t try now and will never happen and we miss out on this big life experience?

So we did try, after a year or so of talking and postponing and it happened straight away! Immediately I felt relieved that all with us functions properly and even downloaded apps to see when it’s due etc...but the day after finding out I completely lost my mind and so did he.

We have started freaking out big time and even seriously considering abortion. We don’t even know if the baby is ok, and I am only 5 and 1/2 weeks but I just can’t cope with the idea... I feel like I don’t want this baby and that I won’t be able to care for it, especially as I suffer from anxiety and I keep thinking “look at how I reacted? I have lost control and my head keeps spinning and I feel fear and terrified and thinking about abortion so what when the baby comes? She/He deserves better than me”. I have found out less than a week ago and seen so many posts about similar thoughts but no one seems to be “as bad as me”. I feel a bad person for considering abortion but I keep thinking that if for the last 5 days now, I felt I don’t want it than I shouldn’t bring a baby to this world if I am not ready. And then a part of me asks: “will you ever be ready though?”. Maybe I simply shouldn’t have tried and I am not parent material...but now it’s here and I keep thinking I wish it will go away on its own and then think how bad a person I am for thinking this way. I am sorry if I am upsetting people who are struggling to get pregnant and really desire it...I just hoped someone can help me with their stories...I have booked an appointment to start therapy with a psychologist...but feel I need to make a decision sooner than that. Sorry for my post.

OP posts:
TiceCream · 29/11/2019 02:58

When I found out I was pregnant I absolutely freaked out and was sobbing to my mother down the phone. I continued to freak out regularly throughout my pregnancy. I didn’t think I could cope with a baby - but I did. Don’t get me wrong, it’s no picnic and I won’t be having another. But I’m a lot more capable than I gave myself credit for. I love him so much, he’s an absolute joy and it’s easier to put yourself out for someone when you adore them. I think you get used to the idea as the months progress and then you feel your baby kick and you realise you’d do anything for them. Unfortunately it’s one of those things where you just need to have faith, because you can’t know what it’s like before you give birth, and then it’s too late to change your mind!

MLMsuperfan · 29/11/2019 02:59

Sorry to read about your anxiety about your pregnancy.

Such reactions are quite common, even for planned pregnancies.

Definitely get help with a therapist. In the meantime please remember that perfect parents don't exist. There's no such thing as patent material. You will do what everyone does and that's your best. And it will be enough. You will encounter difficulties and you'll overcome them. Parenting is bloody terrifying and bloody wonderful.

vivapuff · 29/11/2019 03:02

I have two children (two pregnancies) and there had been moments in each one where I have been so so grateful to live in a place with safe legal access to abortion. Like you, I am married with a good lifestyle and the conceptions were planned, but the reality of it doesn't really hit until you are pregnant. I found something about being pregnant made me feel like I was out of control in my life and thinking about abortion was comforting to consider to keep control.

I chose to continue both my pregnancy and I am so happy and have so much love for my two children and my DH. That said, parenting is hard and having kids changes your lifestyle.

I know I made the right choice for me but I only you know what is the right choice for you. It might help to talk things through with someone in real life - your DH and/or also a counsellor can help clarify things

Puta · 29/11/2019 03:11

my clock is ticking and what if we don’t try now and will never happen and we miss out on this big life experience?

With respect, FOMO is a really, really shit reason for having a child. And I think your subconscious knows it.

Itsnoteasyfeelingqueasy · 29/11/2019 12:23

I do understand the original post and am in a similar situation but further on. I’m 37 and have some health problems so didn’t think I could get pregnant, I’ve not used contraception for three years. I was not to concerned about not having children and I saw a fulfilling future without any. My husband felt the same. Both of us were aware we could have got pregnant and felt ‘ what will be will be’
It was a complete shock to find out I was pregnant three weeks ago. I’m now 8 weeks pregnant. I have felt queasy pretty much constantly.

I have felt all the emotions. Initially I was panicking about the change in how my future looked, I felt like my life was all planned out for me now and all my dreams couldn’t happen. I was also stressed about all the physical stuff, I’m terrified of being sick and giving birth doesn’t bare thinking about. I also felt I had a high chance of miscarriage and was scared of the physical process of that.
Anyway I paid privately for a scan at 6 weeks which really helped, every thing looked fine and seeing the heart beat made it real. I now view it all as fate and try to trust my body and life to do what it’s meant to do. I’m obviously meant to be a mum and I feel at peace with that. If something goes wrong then I’m not meant to be a mum but was meant to experience pregnancy. I even feel now that if the baby is disabled then I’m obviously meant to be a mum of a disabled baby and I’m up for that. I feel like giving over control a bit and trusting that what happens is meant to be has calmed me down. I’d suggest having a scan and see how you feel after that. There’s no rush to make a decision. Just sit with the idea that you have options and take each day as it comes. Xx

Terrified34 · 29/11/2019 16:48

Thank you for all your replies and advice...I hope I can calm down and get some clarity on what’s next... your comments have brought me a lot of comfort so thank you so much!

OP posts:
toomuchteaandcake · 29/11/2019 18:44

@Puta that's pretty unhelpful non-advice!

@Terrified34 I know exactly how you feel, I have always known I want to have a family but that doesn't change the fact I love my life as it is and don't necessarily want it to change! I have definitely swung from excitement and happiness to uncertainty and think that it is completely normal. My philosophy is to make sure I continue to try to do the things I enjoy whilst also starting our family.

Terrified34 · 30/11/2019 09:15

@toomuchteaandcake thank you so much for sharing how you feel... I still can’t get my head around it, I am having good moments and bad moments... I just hope my anxiety will settle to make me see things clearer...

OP posts:
toomuchteaandcake · 30/11/2019 10:07

@Terrified34 no I can totally relate. Good on us for having such fun and exciting lives that make us think twice, that's how I see it. Give yourself time to adjust, read, join groups, talk to friends. And as an anxious person which I also am, expect to have differing emotions about this, as you most likely do about everything! (Assuming you're like me!)

So12345 · 30/11/2019 10:13

@Terrified34 I think you’re experiencing shock which is totally normal. It’s pretty unusual to conceive so fast! I think seeing a therapist is a great plan, because they can help you organise your thoughts and make sense of how you’re feeling. Fingers crossed it’s a good therapist because there are people who are better than others- if it doesn’t feel like a good fit you can try someone else.

Terrified34 · 30/11/2019 10:44

@toomuchteaandcake that’s exactly true, about anxiety and feeling conflicted about absolutely everything in life...thank you your messages are so so helpful and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

@so12345 thank you as well, yes I hope the therapy will help me get clarity and to find a good one! Thanks so much

OP posts:
So12345 · 30/11/2019 10:49

@Terrified34 and @toomuchteaandcake I’m there with you both on the anxiety front. I over analyse EVERYTHING and second guess my own feelings constantly! It’s fun in this world 🙄

Beck2277 · 30/11/2019 10:55

I'm 30 weeks with my first and got pregnant immediately when we decided to try. Totally freaked out and hasn't felt real, still doubting how I'm going to do it! But know that it will be ok and we will just become accustomed!

smartcarnotsosmartdriver · 30/11/2019 11:00

I'm watching DS sleep. We still have the difficult times ahead as he's so small just now (1 week) I freaked out completely when I was pregnant. Told my husband that he would have to take the baby when he was born because there's no way I would cope. That I'd changed my mind. I already can't imagine not having him but that's not the case for everyone. Speak to someone about how you feel so you can make the right decision for your family, no matter what that is.

toomuchteaandcake · 30/11/2019 12:58

And just to add I also fell pregnant on first try, so that is probably an added element for us! I honestly thought let's get started and this time next year maybe we'll be pregnant... we plan and God laughs!

Terrified34 · 01/12/2019 19:45

Thank you @Beck2277 and @smartcarnotsosmartdriver for sharing your views too...

I still feel really overwhelmed and I think I am still in denial too...hope after the first scan will feel differently, or at least that I will be able to read inside me and know what to do...

OP posts:
mywrencalls · 01/12/2019 20:26

@Terrified34 ...I am almost 6 weeks pregnant, I'm 37 and see this as my 'last chance' so to speak. I already have a 20 year old at university and so it really does feel like being a first time mum all over again.
I am both excited and terrified and swing between believing it'll be the best thing I've done or the absolute worst thing I've ever done.
I'm taking each day as it comes, and hoping my emotions settle down soon!

Terrified34 · 02/12/2019 08:37

Thank you @mywrencalls the problem here is that the only feeling I have is fear and terror...no excitement at all...just fear... I think I am going to book a consultation with an abortion centre. I don’t think I will be able to go through with it but I just don’t see what else to do and brining a baby to this world just as I have no courage to terminate the pregnancy doesn’t seem a good enough reason... I think a big part is that I don’t have a support network around me... it’s just me and my husband living overseas from all of our family and friends... I thought we could make it work, that’s why we tried but now, seeing my mind going completely crazy I don’t think we will..

OP posts:
LazJaz · 02/12/2019 19:00

@Terrified34 I want you to know your’re absolutely not alone in this slightly bewildering array of feelings. My experience was really similar. My DP and I are a similar age to you, with very similar emotions about becoming parents “now or never” and a biological clock that wouldn’t be ignored even though we had great fun lives with lots of spoiling travel etc. Like you we spoke for over a year, gave it a go and got pregnant on the first go.
I found out I was pregnant when I was still living abroad and although we both really wanted a baby my immediate reaction when I found out was total terror, ‘I’ll be a shit mum’, “i am too fat for this’, ‘this will ruin everything,’ ‘the baby deserves better parents,’ ‘i’m So irresponsible,’ ‘I’ll get in trouble,’ and like you ‘we should abort’.

I even made an appointment but I couldn’t go through with it because of an extremely complex guilt, which sounds similar to what you describe. I also thought about ordering abortion pills from women on web. this was such a helpful resource because (a) totally non judgmental and you can be in control of your own decision (b) very good factual information I couldn’t get at the clinic (c) they have lots of real abortion stories from women, good and bad. This was especially helpful as other women’s stories helped me see that my situation wasn’t that bad, and that I probably could get through these worrries and be happy on the other side, and that the abortion under my circumstances wasn’t answering the right questions. It helped me understand my guilt a bit better (and in my case deep down inside I did want the baby, was terrified if I aborted I’d never have another chance, but was also so scared of having lost control, even though it was planned)

I’m now 22 weeks and it’s not been easy, although it’s been getting a LOT better since the 20 week scan.
I think for me a lot of the terror is a mix of hormones, learned thought patterns (I tend to be anxious about lots of rubbish) and actually a totally normal reaction to even a planned pregnancy- this really is going to change your life. all the other things you thought would change your life (moving abroad, getting together with DP, new career etc) probably don’t really change it in the same way. If you’ve finally got your shit together and your show on the road then I think it’s completely normal to be terrified of that being de-railed.

What’s helped me get through the last 22 weeks has been being completely open with DP about how I feel even if it’s really horrible things I’m embarrassed to say.ive been vulnerable about things I need to hear from him (I’ve needed to hear “you are beautiful” “we both want the baby” “I love you” “I am proud of you” “you will be brilliant and we are this togethe” etc etc etc because these are the positive things I wouldn’t allow myself to think but they seem to come so naturally to him- I’ve actually told him what I need to hear).
I was putting myself under lots of pressure to feel a certain way,but I have now realised that the only way I need to feel is alive and then job is done. Your body does most of pregnancy without you needing to think too much about it it seems so far. I was fighting it and trying to be in control. Now I’m not.

Also finding supportive people, friends, colleagues, people I barely know, has really helped me. Although I moved back to the Uk when I was about 12 weeks, my friends both here and abroad have been amazing on WhatsApp. Women I know who have recently had babies have been really patient listening to my anxieties and negative thoughts and reassuring me that the feelings are normal and the baby is worth it and I do deserve it. Watching people with their young babies be so excited that I’ll know the love and happiness (and exhaustion) that they know has made me feel better about making the right decision for me.

I’m finally feeling less depressed and anxious, and I’m finally more excited - the point you make about the scan is a valid one (again, I think not knowing anything about the baby was part of this - now I know it’s ok and it’s a little boy so I can start calming down and begin picturing a future). You might like to think about getting an early scan anyway if you can where you live. I had one at 8 weeks to check that the embryo wasn’t growing in my Fallopian tubes etc. Not much to see but you can see the heart beat and the doctor will listen to any anxieties you might have had about “doing it wrong” so far or whatever.

The other thing I want to say is that, while I don’t know where you live or who Long you have been there, I’ve lived in a few countries outside of the UK and have had friends who are pregnant/have young babies in each one. They have all had positive experiences of meeting new people and getting new support networks through this. Nothing brings you togetehr cross cultures like being pregnant because although everyone is different, everyone is also the same. If you have access to things like pregnancy yoga or even a Facebook page where you live see if you can strike up any conversations with people.

You’re not alone and I hope you and your DP feel better soon, but know that it’s not shameful to feel any particular way at all. Sending Flowers to you, wherever you are
Xxx

Terrified34 · 02/12/2019 23:25

@LazJaz thank you for your reply and sharing your story. It really gives me hope and makes me feel like I am not completely abnormal... I too live in Uk, I moved to London 5 years ago and whilst I made some “friends” amongst colleagues they are all in different stages of life or I don’t have a strong enough bond to feel I can share my feelings.

All my family and friends are in Italy and while I told a couple of friends about it and they are very supportive, they are not in my shoes so ultimately I will need to make up my mind on my own.

I am not sure how this forum works, but if private messages are possible, would you be able to share some references of these online tools you used/looked into that you mentioned? I wonder if they may help me too.

Thank you again for sharing your story and all the best xxx

OP posts:
mywrencalls · 04/12/2019 13:00

How are you @Terrified34 ...Hope you're doing ok

Terrified34 · 04/12/2019 15:09

Hi @mywrencalls thanks for asking! I am doing slightly better today for the first day since I found out... I still feel overwhelmed and I have booked an appointment at the abortion clinic for Saturday to get a scan and consultation but the more time passes the more I think I may cancel it... I just feel maybe I can make it, maybe I can overcome all my fears and face this challenge and it will be worth it... the therapy I have started is also giving me hope that I may not be completely crazy and may be stronger than I think... I will keep you posted and I can’t thank you all enough for your support which is wonderful. I hope I will meet people like you in real life too!

OP posts:
Pippinsqueak · 04/12/2019 15:39

Are you sure your partners anxieties aren't rubbing off on you as well? Maybe you both need to talk to someone.

It sounds like you don't want an abortion and it's still early days to let the news settle in. Remember as long as baby is loved there's not much more it needs.

Having a baby is a scary thing. It does change your life completely (no point in sugar coating it) but it's amazing!

I'm pro choice and it's completely up to you but I would get some counselling before you make a decision.

mywrencalls · 04/12/2019 16:36

@Terrified34 ...I've sent you a message if that's ok x

Terrified34 · 04/12/2019 17:08

Hi @Pippinsqueak thanks for your message. Yes I think we are both under shock and probably didn’t felt it would be so scary when it’s real. It just feels like a big huge task ahead and not sure I/we are ready or will ever be up to the task and doing a good job just with our own strengths...

Yes I hope the consultation will help and my mind is a bit calming down so hopefully a bit of time will help me understand...

Thanks so much for your kind reply

OP posts: