Anxiety leading up to 16 week scan

[CaliGirl47]

Hello all. I am really struggling at the moment feeling sick with worry so please be kind. 💐

I am currently 15+6 following a MMC in November 2022

I had my dating scan at about 11 weeks and all looked fine. I’ve been feeling flutters from baby since about 12 weeks at least once a day, but sometimes loads of times throughout the day. (I was shocked to feel anything as I know that’s really early) I had some really bad nausea and vomiting at 15 weeks. It came out of the blue, so I’m guessing maybe food poisoning?? But in the days since then I’ve noticed I’m not getting as many movements. And yesterday I had no movements at all. I tried a couple of times to drink orange juice and lie down. Or have something very cold and lie down, and still nothing. I completely understand that it is still very early to be feeling movement and not to expect a regular pattern at this stage. But I can’t shake off this sinking feeling that it’s all going wrong again. 😔😣 I’m absolutely terrified of going to my private scan on Monday with DH and DD and being told that it’s bad news again. I don’t know if I can cope with another loss.

I am sorry you went through a MMC last year. The fear of this happening again will be at the forefront of your mind. Can I ask
how far along into your pregnancy were you when you had the MMC?

Huge congratulations on your new pregnancy. At 15 / 16 weeks, your baby is so small and has likely moved into a position where you can't feel the little flutters. I recall going days without feeling the flutters and pops of early baby kicks and everything was fine.

You are probably due your first midwife appointment soon. Sometimes, they will use a doppler to find the heartbeat but not all will because the baby is so small and tucked away.

Depending on how old your DD is, perhaps only allow her into the scanning room on Monday after you've been checked over and all is well. Do you have a close friend or family member who can sit with her in the waiting room while you and DH have the first part of the scan alone?

Unfortunately, the fear of a miscarriage will always be in the back of your mind and only when your baby is safe in your arms will you relax. I wish you and your family well.

I know how you feel, I’ve felt the same before every scan so you’re not alone! I think babies movements would be very all over at this stage but I would worry like you, don’t beat yourself up for feeling anxious! My baby moves regularly but doesn’t move after a drink or laying on my side either so I just have to wait 🤣 I just tried to remember not every pregnancy is the same, and the further along you are the more likely it’s all going to be okay. Good luck for Monday❤️

Thank you for your message. @WutheringMights I had a mc in 2018 at 12 weeks. Then I had my DD. And then my mmc in November was at 10 weeks. So always in the first trimester. That’s really reassuring to hear your experience of going days without any movement. I’m trying to be logical and rational instead of just emotional and afraid. I had my community midwife appointment the other day but she refused to check for a heartbeat. She said they don’t do it because baby is so small at this stage it’s very difficult and can just cause panic if they can’t find a hb. That sounds like a practical suggestion. I might ask DH to wait with DD outside just until I know everything is okay at the scan. I just wish I could feel all the joy and excitement I’m supposed to feel instead of all this panic and worry. Maybe there’s a bit of ptsd in there because the mmc was discovered at a private ultrasound clinic (although not the same venue)

Thank you for being a voice of calm 💓

Thanks @ChloeN 💕 these babies are so worth it but the whole journey can be so stressful.

@CaliGirl47 100% i wouldn’t even say I’m normally an anxious person but I’ve worried probably everyday since being pregnant🙈❤️

I have a private scan tomorrow (10weeks) and I’m a mess about it. I feel so anxious and sick. So I understand!

I’m trying to keep occupied. Hope you can too.

Me too! @ChloeN I really think the cocktail of hormones+bad experiences is what makes me so anxious during pregnancy. Because most of the time I’m not like this 😅🙈

Sending you a hand hold and a hug @YellowHatt I really hope you have a fabulous scan tomorrow and you get a lovely clear view of a very active wiggly baby. 🥰💕 Definitely trying to keep myself busy this weekend. I think it’s the only way forward.

Hi OP. Congratulations on your pregnancy; I’m so sorry about your loss.

It’s really early to feel movements - arguably too early because it’s just more time to worry if you don’t feel some for a little while.

Hopefully this gives some perspective before your scan: I went to triage with “reduced movement” at 26 weeks. I hadn’t felt anything for hours, after about 8 weeks of increasingly big kicks. As soon as I said I was 26 weeks, the nurse said, before even examining me etc., “Oh, the baby is so tiny still that he’s just probably cushioned by amniotic fluid and is no longer near the surface of your uterus so you can’t feel his movements.”

But, at the same time, don’t hesitate to get anything checked out if you are worried and don’t put it off. They are used to this in triage and so kind and understanding.

Good luck. I hope everything goes well for you. 🙏🏼

Being a voice of reason here but what you have felt wouldn’t be baby movement as it was too early. It will be things moving through your digestive system as the hormones change things and slow everything down. I know the exact feeling you mean, I’ve had similar with both 2 and 3 from around 4 weeks and it feels very much like movement but at 12 weeks it’s just too early. Hopefully it puts your mind at rest a little that movements haven’t stopped