6 weeks pregnant emetephobia mental health struggling

[pregnantemetephobe]

I am roughly 6 weeks pregnant (first pregnancy). I have had emetephobia (extreme fear of vomiting) since I was a child, I struggle with anxiety which generally comes back to the phobia and have had therapy for 2 years which has been great but isn't a miracle cure.
Last night the nausea seemed to kick in after a 10 hour work day, I also ended up with an upset stomach and was on the verge of a panic attack.
Mentally I don't know how to cope and the fear that it will get worse or even become HG is all consuming. I also own and run a childcare setting so my job involves very long hours but more importantly I cannot have time off willy nilly due to ratio's and the need to arrange cover. The buck stops with me so no employer I can ask for support. Finding myself wishing I was in an job I could work from home to at least remove the pressure of how to cope with going to work.
Has anyone been where I am? I know I'm so lucky I just don't know how to manage this.

Hi! I'm almost 6 weeks but this is my second pregnancy. I also have an extreme fear of vomiting.

I just wanted to say that while I felt incredibly nauseous in the first 12 weeks of my last pregnancy, I was never sick. Not once. It's absolutely not a given that you will be really sick in pregnancy and it's important to remember that everyone has a different experience.

I found I felt worse if I was hungry so ate little and often. I stuck with dry/savoury foods and fruit for snacks (stayed away from chocolate and other rich foods). Sips of cold drinks and ice lollies also helped.

Mental positivity/keeping calm also helped me. I don't know what you're like but I find if I panic I feel more sick and it's a vicious circle. If I started to panic would just sit and tell myself I wouldn't be sick and take a few deep breaths - bringing myself back into the 'green zone'.

Hi, I have emetephobia too. I’m in my third pregnancy at the minute and this is the only pregnancy I’ve experienced extreme nausea (no vomiting but I’m not sure I was just stopping myself or if it was never going to come if that makes sense?)

Despite not vomiting I was prescribed cyclezine I think it’s called as an anti sickness. I found these just knocked me out which was fine by me because I would stay up at night with utter fear of vomiting. I think for me, the anxiety and panic makes any nausea feel worse. If possible I’d speak to your gp about prescribing an anti sickness. Mine was reluctant to give me anything because I wasn’t actually vomiting but then thought it was for the best as I couldnt bring myself to eat or sleep and the anxiety of vomiting was just too much.

Sorry I don’t have any more advice, youre not alone with this and hopefully it passes quickly. This is my third pregnancy I’ve managed to sat far get through without actually vomiting so it can be done.

I can’t comment on the work part as I’m still on maternity leave from my last baby, but what I would say is if you can try and get as much rest as possible when you’re not working.

Take care!

Hi. I also have emetaphobia. I had extreme and constant nausea from 6-9 weeks. Got a bit better at 10 weeks, much better at 12 and back to normal at 15 weeks. This has been in both my pregnancies. I have a 5 year old and I'm 15 weeks pregnant. I was never sick or even close really - the nausea was very strong but not like a tummy bug. This time I felt very anxious so called my GP and got anti-emetics. I tried two different ones and neither made a big difference but taking them made me feel more in control. Also only eat and drink what you feel like at the time - it can vary! Being hungry makes it worse. Ice pops are good when you feel you can't stomach anything else.

I just wanted to reply as I have the exact same phobia. Thankfully in my last pregnancy I only had nausea and I only vomited once. I’m currently 7 weeks and it’s going the same way. I don’t have much advice because I know how awful the phobia is and how it can take over your life. I sympathise.

Thank you all so much for your kind replies. I didn't leave the sofa yesterday and seemed to need to eat something every hour or so to keep the empty queasy feeling slightly under control. As you all know the mind is the enemy with this, I keep feeling ok and thinking well if it stays like this it will be tough but I will manage and then my head goes BUT it might get much worse..
Got my scan date yesterday 21st December so that's something to aim for!

Bless you, I agree with the responses above. Definitely speak to your gp about anti-sickness meds as they may be the crutch you need, even just psychologically. Many many women experience pregnancy with just small amounts of nausea and occasional (if at all) vomiting. I really hope for your sake that you fall into that camp, and if you don’t, please take my word for it that you will get through it. I have had 3 hyperemesis pregnancies (all kicked in at 4-5 weeks) and whilst the vomiting is undoubtedly unpleasant, the frequency of it renders you immune to it very quickly (I hope that makes sense). I say that as someone who had emetophobia as a teen so I really do sympathise.

For what its worth, if you are still managing work at 6 weeks (I was flat on my back in bed at this stage) and are having only sporadic nausea, I think it is unlikely to progress to hyperemesis so hopefully that is one fear you can discount at this stage.

Best of luck

Although mine got worse till 9 weeks (then better) I learnt to cope with it and realised it hadn't yet made me vomit after the first few days so it was never worse anxiety wise than that first week.

Another emetophobe here. Long-term. This is my second pregnancy, currently 8 weeks. Had zero nausea and vomiting with pregnancy 1 fourteen years ago. So far had some nausea, loss of appetite and bouts of awful constipation but not vomited. Can really sympathise but try not to worry about something that hasn't happened yet and may not happen at all.