Very down first trimester

[Hannah2810]

Hi all. I was wondering if anybody could please tell me they have felt the same as I am currently feeling. I am around 7/8 weeks pregnant with my first child and I have never in my life felt so down and anxious. I always have low levels of anxiety which are completely manageable but these feelings are totally alien to me. I have no other issues going on outside of my pregnancy, I have a wonderful family, partner and a nice and easy job working for my family. Some days I feel as though there is a black cloud hanging over me and I have to force myself to do tasks I would usually enjoy such as going the gym or walking my dog which I keep cutting short because I am so anxious when out of the house. My mind just does not switch off and I am starting to look forward to going to sleep so I can have a break from the constant worry. I keep worrying how much my life is going to change and how will I cope if I feel like this for much longer because it is unbearable. Please tell me this is normal and somewhat subsides after the first trimester? I miss being my normal happy semi anxious self , not this ranging ball of worry!

I've not felt like that no but just wondered if you have been in touch with the MWs yet abs if you've spoken to them?

Yes I had this! A wanted pregnancy but I was exhausted and desperately sad and emotional the whole first trimester. It got better as time went on, I just took life really slowly, talked alot and let my partner look after me and focussed on doing things that helped me like eating nutritious food and getting lots of sleep. Congratulations on your baby!

Thank you for your reply. It makes me feel better knowing other people have felt like this. When did these feelings start to lift can you remember? Thank you! I am starting to sleep alot better which helps and I will keep forcing myself to get fresh air and plenty of exercise. Xxx

Yes I definitely felt like this. I’m an anxious person anyway so the added worry of being pregnant and not having any control really started to take it’s toll in the first trimester. I struggled to do anything and found little enjoyment in things to the point where if it had carried on any longer I’d have gone to see my GP. I felt so bad because this baby is very much wanted but I just wanted to stop feeling so rubbish. It was also very much the nausea and sickness that got me down and it finally eased in week 16. I feel much better now, still tired but I actually enjoy going out and doing things. Hopefully this will be the same for you as you move into second trimester and have your 12-week scan which provides some reassurance. Keep with the exercise and fresh air as best as you can but don’t feel bad if there are times you don’t want to do anything at all. Take one day at a time and remember it will pass eventually.

I am 7/8 weeks and am exactly the same. Anxious, miserable, snappy and miserable. Also so tired!

I feel exactly the same. I’m 11 weeks this Friday. Pre pregnancy I was a big gym head, in the gym 6 days a week 2 hours a day. Now- I’ve been twice in last 6 weeks. I just can’t actually bring myself to go. I feel like I have no enjoyment anymore. It’s a struggle to get up in the morning and I hate going to bed as I never sleep well. I too love, walking my dog. Normally get in around 6-8 miles a day but now I’m down to 4, 5 if I’m lucky.
It’s nice to know I’m not alone in the way I’m feeling too. As i really thought I was the only one. I really hope I feel better, and you too! Xx

@Hannah2810 it wouldn’t let me reply to your message so here you are lovely x
Hey,

I have good days and bad days. The last week, if I’m honest I have felt better and I’ve managed to increase my walking and I’ve actually wanted to go on them.. which I guess is a positive! Today I’ve actually got out of bed before 8:30 which is also good! So I’d say yeah, i think I’m feeling better.
My emotions still feel all over the place though, and I seem to be grumpy all the time- particularly in the evening? How are you feeling? I do have similar feelings in the fact that is this the right thing for me and then other times I feel fine about having a little one. It’s like my feelings to a 180 day to day. How far along are you? I hit 12 weeks yesterday xx

I had anxiety in my first trimester and talked to my midwife about it and they've been great. Every visit, they ask about my mood and anxieties and it's a huge relief to speak to a professional about it and be taken seriously - feels like a huge weight off my shoulders, makes me feel like I'm not being pathetic but am actually being medically cared for in my anxiety. If you haven't, deffo talk to your midwife about it, they may give you a referral like they did with me. Good luck and I hope everything works out for you!

Yes, I definitely experienced this. I was crying into my pillow for weeks and just feeling really down. Pregnancy is a huge life transition, not to mention all the raging hormones, so it's no surprise to me that it's not all sunshine and rainbows, especially in the first trimester when everything is new and your body is adapting to all the changes. I'm in my second trimester now and feeling a lot happier and more balanced. I hope you're being really kind to yourself and talking about how you're feeling with supportive people you're close to as well as any midwives. Hang in there! xx

I went through exactly the same OP! It was around 9/10 weeks and I felt really low, and just not myself - which used to happen to me before my period! But being pregnant is a big adjustment and I just kept reminding myself it was most likely my hormones and this wasn’t who I was. I spoke to my midwife who managed to arrange CBT annoyingly my mood lifted before that started so haven’t really found it helpful but definitely worth giving it a go.