Pregnant with ememtophobia

[ninadust]

Hi all. Recently found out I'm pregnant which I am over the moon about. However, I suffer from really bad emetophobia so this is making it hard for me to enjoy it fully. I am only around 12dpo (3 weeks) but today the nausea has hit me already. I'm actually so scared of being sick because I haven't ever been in my life!!

Really hoping it will just be nausea but has anyone else got really bad emetophpbia and how did you cope?

Thank you xx

I was the same op - when I was younger honestly didn’t want to have children because the thought of morning sickness was enough to put me off.

I’ve got two now(!) and I honestly wasn’t physically sick with either pregnancy.

Huge relief for me I was either extremely lucky or the power of my mind to just convince myself no matter how sick I felt I was NOT going to vom was too strong.

So, yes it’s possible but now I’ve got two toddlers who have both had sickness bugs which is absolutely terrifying for me, it’s amazing how quickly you learn to deal with it. I actually think I could deal with getting a bug myself - almost…

Hope you just continue with the nausea - the sea sickness wrist bands can help - but honestly having children will really help you with this condition because you don’t have a lot of choice.

Thank you @Coriandersucks - I really hope I have a similar experience to you and it just stays as nausea. I'm hoping my mind can take over as well like it has in the past.

But yes - maybe exposure is the best and only way to help manage the phobia!

Xx

I’m 23 weeks tomorrow and haven’t had any vomiting at all; and only a few incidents of very mild nausea, almost always triggered by hunger…

It might just be luck, but sickness isn’t a guaranteed part of pregnancy - at least to this point!

Thank you for sharing your experience @TakeYourFinalPosition - it makes me feel a lot less anxious! My mum wasn't sick at all either, so I am hoping I follow in her footsteps! X

Yes me and to reassure you I have had 2 sets of twins and never actually was physically sick with either of them! I felt nauseous until maybe 13 weeks probably worst at about 6-10 and felt better if I ate things like crackers little and often l. Also as a parent, as others have said, I'm fine dealing with the kids sick even of I'm petrified of vomiting myself.

Now this really does make me feel reassured haha @clareykb !! My partner has two sets of twins in his family and I am wondering if I am feeling nauseas so early on because of this...

Two sets! That's amazing, you must be a super mum! X

@ninadust

Hi all. Recently found out I'm pregnant which I am over the moon about. However, I suffer from really bad emetophobia so this is making it hard for me to enjoy it fully. I am only around 12dpo (3 weeks) but today the nausea has hit me already. I'm actually so scared of being sick because I haven't ever been in my life!!

Really hoping it will just be nausea but has anyone else got really bad emetophpbia and how did you cope?

Thank you xx

Hey!!! I have emetophobia too! I am around 6 weeks. I have a 9 year old too.

I know exactly how you are feeling. Plus I had Covid jab yesterday which set my anxiety off even more!!

I honestly find emets don't tend to get sick in pregnancy... probably our minds willing it not to happen.

Maybe we can go through this journey together??? X

I had a huge phobia of being sick and then spent most of the first trimester being sick 😷 it was awful and I still gag the odd time now but I no longer panic in the way I used to. My fear stemmed from when my appendix ruptured as a teenager and I projectile vomited for two days.

Hi @NinaJames - congratulations on your pregnancy. Yes that would be really lovely, thank you - could really do with the support.

How have you been feeling so far? X

Hi @ninadust, I had quite bad nausea at the start of my first pregnancy but never vomited at all. Hopefully, you will be the same.

I found that eating ginger biscuits helped with the nausea.

Good luck x

I'm also scared of vomiting, but actually have only been sick once this pregnancy at 13 weeks. I had acupuncture for pregnancy nausea which I think helped a lot. Also, roughly only just over one third of women are physically sick. I've heard that emetaphobes are less likely to get morning sickness vomiting because we're so used to not being sick and controlling it more than other people. A couple of times I felt I could be sick but I wasn't - deep breathed through it and mints really really helped me

When I was sick I was brushing my teeth late at night, was overtired, and probably not as careful as I should have been. Many of my friends and family haven't been sick at all, some haven't even felt sick. Hopefully you'll be one of the ones that are fine

@ninadust I have been feeling ok actually! Just super tired, sore boobs and getting extremely hungry.

When I found out I had a few days of feeling sick - but I am convinced that was my mind as I thought that's how I should feel and went into a panic as wasn't expecting to be pregnant!!

How about you? Were you trying? Do you have any other children? xx

[quote NinaJames]@ninadust I have been feeling ok actually! Just super tired, sore boobs and getting extremely hungry.

When I found out I had a few days of feeling sick - but I am convinced that was my mind as I thought that's how I should feel and went into a panic as wasn't expecting to be pregnant!!

How about you? Were you trying? Do you have any other children? xx[/quote]
That's really good :) glad you are feeling okay! And I completely get what you're saying - I think the only reason I'm feeling nauseous already is because I think I should be. It's a catch 22!

Yes we were trying, didn't expect it to happen so soon though. Getting married in December so going to have a bump down the aisle haha! Xx

@ninadust oh lovely!!! How exciting! Have you picked a dress yet?

I honestly think with emets we tend to overthink our way to feeling sick. Just need to constantly reassure yourself!

How long have you suffered with emet for? Xx

@NinaJames I have but I might need to change the skirt on it now haha!

Since as long as I can remember. I've had CBT and exposure therapy at least 3 times during my life but it's not really helped. Always wanted children but it's really been the one thing to put me off. However my body clock was starting to tick. How about you? What do you do to cope :)? Xx

@ninadust I have PMed you .... sometimes I find talking about my phobia in private a bit easier??? Let me know if you have got it as I'm a bit clueless on mumsnet!!! X