Will it get easier? First time pregnancy and terrified

[AbDaRob]

Hi,
Not sure why I’m posting. Or what I’m trying to get out of posting this, but I just need to speak.
I am 6 weeks pregnant for the first time and I am terrified. I feel like I spend my time worrying about everything.
I have a higher BMI & at my first appointment yesterday was told my blood pressure is a little high (146/88)
I am terrified.
Since the second I found out I was pregnant I have been online researching conditions, symptoms and everything and anything that could possibly go wrong.
I am so convinced something is going to go wrong. You read all these stories online, which no doubt were terrible for these poor mothers to go through.. but they absolutely terrify me.
Will I ever stop worrying and just be able to enjoy my pregnancy. My partner says I need to just relax and worrying about situations if they arise, and I do know he is right. But I am just so scared, especially with my appt yesterday saying my BP was high.

Does anyone have anything that will help me put all these anxieties to bed. I sometimes think it’s good to be aware of what complications there could be, however I cannot stop convincing myself it’s all going to happen to me!

Stop googling for a start!
Get yourself a decent book on pregnancy and stick with that. Speak to your midwife if you have any actual concerns related to your pregnancy (not some randoms on the internet!)

Your blood pressure was probably slightly raised because you're so anxious. Listen to your partner.

Distract yourself with positive things.

There are plenty of sights (I think Mumsnet do them) where you can sign up to get weekly email updates about how your pregnancy is progressing. Things like your baby is now the size of a peach, you might be experiencing nausea, etc.

I enjoyed getting the updates and I became quite wrapped up in them. They also allayed some mild concerns as I came to realise some ailments were common.

Aside from Mumsnet, I think BabyCentre and Emma's Diary do the updates too.

Pregnancy Day by Day is a lovely non-scary book. Expecting Better is good if you think stats and facts will help you too.

Use the NHS website to help you do all the things you can to stay healthy (if it's not on there, don't worry too mucha bout it, Dr Google will come up with all sorts of bizarre stuff so make yourself stick to the 'official' UK sites is my advice, if they aren't worried about something then it's highly likely you don't need to).

There is an element of the uncontrolled with pregnancy and of course there can be stress and heartache along the way but you have to accept there are some things you just can't control. Keep yourself healthy and do your best to relax- easier said than done of course but it will help- and you've done everything you can then. I agree with PL your blood pressure is likely because you're anxious but it will get checked every time you see someone so if it carries on when it starts affecting baby (won't have any impact at this early stage) there are medications and things they can use and you will be kept an eye on. You'll never know so much about your own health as you do towards the end of pregnancy, you'll never get a fortnightly MOT again 😂

Your higher BP reading could have been caused by your anxiety. S
I’d focus on reducing your anxiety. I know it is easier said than done.
Instead of reading what can go wrong, read books on what a normal pregnancy feels and looks like. Pp gave good book recommendations.
Feel free to post “is this normal” questions on MN...pregnancy does change your body and can be scary until you get reassurance.

Stop googling! Honestly, what’s the point other than to make you feel worse. Take each day as it comes, identify what you’re worrying about and if it’s not a current problem, don’t waste your energy on it.
You’ll make yourself poorly if you carry on like this. Take a step back, breathe and stop googling!

I was the same early pregnancy. Just terrified of everything that could go wrong. I found I felt better after each scan. I had an early reassurance scan at 8 weeks which helped me massively. Then at the 12 and 20 week scans I got less and less stressed out that things would go wrong. It’s completely normal, just try not to Google everything and enjoy your pregnancy. Congratulations 💕