22 and pregnant, any advice?

[El13]

Good evening,
I am just looking for some advice really.
I recently found out I am pregnant which came as a huge shock as I had the coil in.
I am 22 and have a long term partner. We are both settled in our jobs and have a new home.
i am unsure how many weeks I am but estimated around 7/8 weeks.
I am just feeling extremely anxious with everything. I just wondered if anyone had any advice or has been in a similar situation.
thankyou x

No advice really but I’m 24 and pregnant so similar age to you☺️ It was planned but I’ll be the only one out of my friends with a baby, probably will be for years! What are you anxious about, anything in particular or just being pregnant in general?xx

Thankyou for your reply, and
congratulations on your pregnancy!!😌
I think I’m anxious of change & being a good parent.
I also think it’s shock more than anything xx

@El13 probably is shock given you were on the coil🙉 I think if you’re worrying about being a good parent that would mean you will be☺️ have you told anyone yet? X

I'm 25 - pregnant with #2 :) got pregnant with my first when I was 23. There will be 17 months between them.

I was super anxious and scared, and in all honesty I'm super anxious and scared again!🤣

But, things fall into place, the love you have for baby takes the lead and everything usually works out.

You'll have midwives to guide you the first few weeks, then a health visitor for the first few years, they will offer all of the simple support (feeding, etc) - the rest all came naturally to me and I just go off my instincts! There are sooo many lovely experienced mothers online too that give good advice if you should ever need it,

Congratulations, the love of your life is on their way ❤️❤️

Oh and be prepared to cry more happy tears than you've ever cried in your life 🤣
My little one figured out how to climb onto the sofa today and I cried 🤣
It is a crazy rollercoaster of emotions but it's lovely, as long as your partner is supportive and helps every step of the way- you will be amazing 😘

🤣 I support you on this I cried because my little one figured out how to get off the sofa. Being a mum is strange

I had my first at 22. Such a joy! Now all three are adults. Congratulations! 🎊🎈

You haven't said if you're continuing the pregnancy or not so I won't say congratulations yet. You were actively trying to avoid pregnancy and if it's not for you right now (or ever!) that's absolutely fine.

It's a huge, life changing thing. It doesn't matter how strong your relationship is, it will be tested.

If you feel you want this, it is the hardest amazing thing. If you decide to keep the baby, you're in a stable relationship, have a home and a stable job. Look at your company maternity leave policy. Consider childcare after maternity leave if you're going back to work. Do you have a supportive family?

Good luck in whatever you decide.

I had my first at 22 too, he's now a wonderful 23 year old who's taking me out for cocktails and lunch on Sunday! It won't all be easy but it's worth every minute.

Ohhh and some advice I give to everybody!! -

• Your needs and baby's needs are priority, whatever needs doing around you (I.e housework) can wait

• anything that can be done whilst baby is awake, do when baby is awake, use the time baby is sleeping to do what you want/need to do FOR YOU! When my baby was a newborn, if he was happy awake chilling in his bouncer etc, that's when I'd do housework, if he was sleeping, I'd nap or have time to watch tv 🥰

• being overwhelmed, overstimulated and feeling burnt out is normal, it doesn't make you a bad mum, talk to whoever you can and whoever you're comfortable with, cry if you feel you have to

• take it all one day at a time, and make the most of everything. Things will get stressful, and some days and nights can seem like they will never end, but it's true when people say "the days are long, but the years are short"

• video as much as you can, I have so many videos and I'm so glad I do! Ones where I put my phone on the counter recording me dancing with my little one as a newborn until he fell asleep. Nobody's ever seen them but me, and I will treasure them forever

• I've learnt since becoming a mum, that it's always me that takes photos! So don't be afraid to throw your phone at people and ask them to take photos, tell your partner to take photos when you don't know, I have some beautiful moments captured ❤️❤️

Thankyou so much for your replies!!
I am so nervous but I am sure it will all be ok and fall in to place 🤍
@ChloeN i have spoken to my partner and my immediate family - I do feel lucky as they are all very supportive towards me.
hopefully everything runs smoothly - I think I need to start educating myself now. I have no idea where to start!! Xxx

OP, the fact that you're even worrying now shows that you'll be a great parent. Congratulations on the pregnancy

@El13 ah glad you’ve got supportive people around ☺️ if you want to talk to anyone you can dm on here! Xxx

That must be a shock, it’s actually very unusual x

Have you had your IUD removed now, that’s very important and also an ultrasound to detect the location of your embryo?

It sounds as though you have a good support network around you, sending good wishes.

I'm 20 and expecting my first in April, in a similar situation to you was on contraception etc, settled with a long term partner but it's still a big shock!

The main thing that's helped me through everything has been my support system - I joined a WhatsApp group on mums net for babies due April 2023 and it's been amazing I've learnt so much I wouldn't have thought of!

I'm counting down the weeks now - best of luck with your pregnancy, it is an emotional rollercoaster but it's also so exciting !

❤️👶🏼

Hi, firstly congratulations! I was also pregnant when I was 22 and was also a huge shock. My advice is get as much help and support as you can solicit help from family, friends, in-laws. It's a huge rollercoaster but all will be worth it in the end 💕🥰

I had my first at 23 and I was a mess. I kept thinking I was too young and like you I was the only person out of my friends that had a baby (I still am) but it’s the best thing ever! I will say that it goes so fast, without realising. My dd is 9 months now and that’s flown by. Congratulations

Thankyou everyone for the responses it means so much to hear all the nice comments.
you all sound like amazing mums ❤️
it has all started to feel real now after speaking to a midwife this morning x

my IUD had rejected from my body a few months prior without me knowing which was confirmed.
i started twinges and cramps around the date period was due and it just did not arrive which I found unusual and lead me to take a test which came back bright positive.
Thankyou again 🥰