Anxiety during Pregnancy- Resource Thread

[DiamondSnow]

I am suffering from terrible anxiety during this pregnancy (and previous pregnancies) which, from reading this forum is sadly very common.

It is so useful reading comments and reassurance from people who have felt the same, knowing it is something I can overcome.

I was wondering if it would be useful for us to pool any good resources we have found to help ourselves and others in the future who find themselves feeling this same agonising anxiety.

In particular I was wondering if anyone has come across any CBT resources which are specific to pregnancy or pregnancy after miscarriage.

Here are some useful links I have to start off:

To reassure that the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy is higher than that of a miscarriage:
datayze.com/miscarriage-reassurer

A mindfulness book specifically for pregnancy:
www.bookdepository.com/Mindful-Pregnancy-Birth-Riga-Forbes/9781782405054

(I find the style of writing in this book really calming)

Headspace (on special off at the moment) has pregnancy specific meditations which I find helpful:
www.headspace.com

Is anybody able to add anything? It would also be nice to hear any tips for getting through the day or particular mantras or techniques you have which help.

Thank you so much for this @DiamondSnow

I'm really struggling with my anxiety and have been since I finished work for the summer. Since then, I'm consumed with worry over every slight symptom/side effect that I have, as though it might mean I might lose the baby. I have had two miscarriages in the past and have never got to the stage I am now (15 weeks).

Hello @MissL85.

I'm sorry that you're struggling. How are you today?
I am 11 weeks- scan at the end of this week. I have had 2 losses and both were 'discovered' at my 12 week san. First time was a blighted ovum and second was holoprosencephaly meaning my baby wasn't able to survive. So whilst I am so grateful to have got to this point in pregnancy, 12 week scan fills me with such terror.
Todays fear is slightly more cramping- I am trying to reframe it as "It is good to know my womb is still growing and stretching..." But it isn't working!

I've just found this self-help CBT booklet which I think looks like quite a useful resource. Even if it is just to focus my mind on trying to do something positive.

www.bcmhsus.ca/Documents/coping-with-anxiety-during-pregnancy-and-following-the-birth.pdf

[quote DiamondSnow]Hello @MissL85.

I'm sorry that you're struggling. How are you today?
I am 11 weeks- scan at the end of this week. I have had 2 losses and both were 'discovered' at my 12 week san. First time was a blighted ovum and second was holoprosencephaly meaning my baby wasn't able to survive. So whilst I am so grateful to have got to this point in pregnancy, 12 week scan fills me with such terror.
Todays fear is slightly more cramping- I am trying to reframe it as "It is good to know my womb is still growing and stretching..." But it isn't working!

I've just found this self-help CBT booklet which I think looks like quite a useful resource. Even if it is just to focus my mind on trying to do something positive.

www.bcmhsus.ca/Documents/coping-with-anxiety-during-pregnancy-and-following-the-birth.pdf[/quote]
@DiamondSnow thanks for that. I'm struggling today even though I have rang in sick for work. I have important phone calls to make today, which make me feel anxious. One is with the specialist midwife about why my pregnancy is high risk. How are you doing? I can completely understand why you would feel the way you do. I need to stop relying on Dr Google to look up symptoms that I have got. When is your dating scan? I'm starting to worry about the adverse effects my anxiety is causing on baby.

Did you manage to get your phone calls done? It's hard sometimes to push the anxiety aside for long enough to make the calls but hopefully you managed and felt relief afterwards.

I've had an OK day- not too much crying! It's always a relief though when dark comes and I can tick off another daytime closer.
My scan is on Friday. I've already had 3 (very understanding consultant) and so far everything has fortunately looked OK. But this next one is the big one and I've never had experience of it going well so it's hard to feel hopeful about it.

I completely understand your worries about your worries damaging the baby. Worrying about worrying is such an impossible cycle but I do find CBT techniques/ mindfulness helps get a handle on this sometimes.

Hi everyone. I am nearly 7 weeks and I have been okay so far but I have had terrible anxiety all night and haven't slept at all. I am worried about miscarriage, the fact we haven't told anyone that if we do lose the pregnancy I will have to hide it, if we don't lose the pregnancy how will work react to the news, money etc. The worries are twirling round in my head.
I am working today and just wish I could stay home. Plus work is quite stressful atm as I am the only 'senior' working certain shifts which is manic.
Normally I find getting some fresh air helps loads. Also sleep. Lack of sleep makes my anxiety awful.

I feel the same. Only 6 weeks, but this is an IVF pregnancy against the odds and in reality our last attempt (physically and financially). I am so terrified of my early scan next week and at the same time, so desperate to hear a strong heartbeat.