Newly pregnant and emetophobic - tips and reassurance please!

[rosemarycait96]

Hi all,

So I got my BFP two days ago and I'm about 5-6 weeks pregnant with my first child.

I'm over the moon, so excited and can't wait to be a mum. BUT the only problem is that I'm emetophobic (phobia of nausea and vomiting), with a very specific fear of throwing up in public/not getting to a bathroom in time.

I have only been sick a couple of times in the last 10 years, and that was because of the contraceptive pill, which I had to stop taking because it gave me severe nausea with some vomiting. The thought of going through that kind of hormonal sickness again is terrifying me. It was the first thing I thought of, once the excitement of the positive pregnancy test had died down.

I do feel some mild nausea most of the time at the moment. I had a bit of a breakdown last night, randomly sobbing on my husband because I was so scared that it will get worse and I'll be sick! I don't drive so I get buses - I took one today and spent the whole journey shoving mints into my mouth and willing the nausea to go away.

Anyone else here have emetophobia and had to go through morning sickness? Honestly, I have all the remedies I need - from peppermint tea to peppermint essential oil, acupressure wristbands and plain food - but does anyone have tips to help deal with the anxiety about being sick in the first place?

I don't want the fear of vomit to ruin what is otherwise such a happy and exciting time, so any reassurance or advice would be really appreciated.

@equuscaballus yes, I'm doing that every day now! That 5 minute period after I wake up is the least pleasant part of the day lol. As soon as my eyes open I'm stuffing crackers into my mouth until I can sit up for half an hour before actually getting up.

@1VY ah thanks so much, that's really interesting. I've 6w5d (ish) at the moment I feel slightly queasy pretty much all of the time - though certain things make it worse like being too hungry or too full, sweet food, travel, and that first 10 minutes in the morning when I'm super thirsty. Anecdotally this is what I'm hearing, same as you, so I'm praying that I'm one of the fortunate ones.

@Bunny2006 Bless you, so sorry you had t go through that stress right at the start of your pregnancy. I think we're at exactly the same stage though! I'm about 6w5d. Those bonbons are lifesavers aren't they. Wishing you a lovely 1st trimester. We're halfway!

I thought i'd add one last update - It's been over a week now since the nausea kicked in, it got steadily worse so now I'm nauseous 24/7, gone off my food, and waking up in the night feeling like being sick (but obviously throwing everything I can at it, narrowly avoiding throwing up through a combination of willpower and peppermint most days).

I went to the GP this morning and got prescribed some antiemetics! Hallalujah. Really hoping they work because I only see this going downhill tbh, I'm feeling sicker every day.

So I suppose the moral of the story is don't suffer needlessly, and the doctor won't laugh at you for trying to get dr*gs for morning sickness.

I'm still petrified of it getting worse of course, but I hope all your amazing tips and some nice medication with help me get to that sweet 2nd trimester in one piece.

Aw thank you. I'm sorry yours has got worse but glad you've got help, I hope the meds work. :)

@Bunny2006 thank you! Yeah, I've heard very mixed reviews on cyclizine so will have to see how it goes. I finally caved and took a sick day at work today, and it's LOVELY.

Oh I'm so glad you've got some meds OP, that's brilliant - although sorry you needed them. Fingers crossed they really help and make all the difference until the 2nd trimester.

I hope you start feeling better soon.

I have emetophobia and have been one of the unlucky people with on of nausea throughout (currently 34 weeks). I have gone weeks with out actually vomiting though. I'm taking anti sickness drugs. A fair but of the second trimester was just feeling sick and dizzy but not being sick.

I've found my emetophobia has got better. A bit like CBT therapy where the more you're exposed to it the easier it gets. I no longer panic when feeling nauseous. Where as at 5 weeks I had a total melt down saying I couldn't do it.

Some foods I found easier to eat when nauseous were; Quavers, dry crackers, flat orange lucosade, spearmint Polos, dry cereal and chocolate milkshake. I had to use chocolate milkshake for months to take tablets as it was slightly thicker it made tablets easier to go down.

I did have 5 and a half months off work. But I have a active job where I'm responsible for special needs children.

Hi! Emetophobe here! I've been pregnant 3 times, currently 18 weeks. With all three pregnancies I have had mild nausea and absolutely no vomiting. My best friend is also an emetophobe and she also had no vomiting during pregnancy too. I think we're quite often so used to trying not to feel sick that were very good at not being sick, if you get me? Zoe Sugg on YouTube and Insta is also an emetophobe and shared the ways she dealt with her pregnancy nausea too which I thought were useful tips. Good luck to you! I remember freaking out with my first and stocking up on crackers, ginger biscuits, peppermint tea etc but never actually needed them. ❤️