Anxiety worse in pregnancy

5 replies

MissL85 · 11/09/2021 16:15

I have always suffered from anxiety and it has rocketed so high since I found out I was pregnant for the third time (I have had two miscarriages in the first past). I'm constantly worried that whatever I do, I'm going to lose the baby (I'm 15 weeks pregnant now). My job is becoming unbearable and I'm just struggling in general. I referred myself to the local counselling department through the NHS and awaiting CBT. My job is stressful at the best of times and when I get anxious my whole body feels it. But right now it feels like no one really understands my anxiety. It's all based on feeling safe and my baby being safe. I have been called selfish before. My partner isn't always helpful with it and I know he struggles to understand it. I just don't know what to do for the best.

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Original poster

MissL85 · 12/09/2021 14:12

Anyone?

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Scirocco · 12/09/2021 14:58

Hi, I've been feeling really anxious during this pregnancy too - with two previous losses, it's hard to allow myself to feel hope. I've found that the mental health support I've received through the perinatal mental health services has been really helpful in letting me accept that anxiety is a perfectly understandable response to the trauma and stress, and normalising it has helped me talk about it and develop coping strategies to manage it.

I really hope you can get some support soon. While you're waiting, you could ask your GP to sign you off work for a bit if you think that would help?

ParkheadParadise · 12/09/2021 15:04

I suffered anxiety in my second pregnancy(due to bereavement) the midwife referred me to perinatal mental health services. It did help.
Good luck

Original poster

MissL85 · 12/09/2021 15:25

@Scirocco

I really hope you can get some support soon. While you're waiting, you could ask your GP to sign you off work for a bit if you think that would help?

@Scirocco work have actually suggested that I go to my doctors about going off on the sick. I'm going to ring the doctors tomorrow and get an appointment.

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LeoraS · 17/09/2021 10:18

Hi,

Sorry to hear how much you are suffering. I know how you feel having been through something similar myself.

Have you tried any mindfulness practices? The one in the link below is a good one. You can do it over a period of eight weeks and there's good evidence to show that it reduces stress and anxiety. The course is free:

palousemindfulness.com/MBSR/week1.html

I also listen to self-hypnosis videos on YouTube. In particular, I find Michael Sealey's Sleep Hypnosis Floating Relaxation quite powerful. Many of his videos have been helpful for me to help dissolve fear at it's root in the sub-conscious mind. There's a few on letting go of over-thinking as well.

While you wait to see a therapist, CCI have excellent resources for self-help for anxiety and a number of other conditions. Here's a link to their website:

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Anxiety

I use Bach flower remedies and practice grounding techniques every morning. The one I find most useful is imagining myself strongly rooted to the ground and visualizing an oak tree before me. Winds and storms may come and go but I stay firmly rooted to the Earth. I find that having small rituals that I practice regularly helps me to strengthen my conviction that I am safe and protected. If I am safe and protected, so is my child.

I am also seeing a kinesiologist. She tests my body for what it needs in terms of diet and supplements and shows me techniques and practices that help me strengthen my body and mind. I highly recommend kinesiology for people who suffer with ungrounded anxiety. Often it can be the result of a deficiency in your diet, other times it is an emotional issue. Either way, a kinesiologist can help you identify the underlying issue and very often can help you solve it.

I hope this is helpful. Take care.

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