Constant worry

[Rose1999]

I'm 17 weeks pregnant with my first and I can't do anything except worry, excessively all day every day. I thought, after my 12 week scan, I'd be able to relax. But I can't. I heard my baby's heartbeat four days ago, yet I still can't relax.
I'm on edge constantly, worrying it's all going to go wrong. I worry about every twinge or lack of twinges, I haven't felt many flutters either.

Is there anything I can do to alleviate some of this worry? It's taking over my life. I just want my baby to be ok.

Hi OP, firstly congratulations and well done in reaching out here. It sounds like your 12 week scan went well so please try not to worry. Pregnancy places a huge strain on body and mind, not to mention the hormones which play merry havoc with our emotions! We can all encourage you here and offer words of support, but I would also encourage you to reach out for help in RL. Is there someone you trust you can speak to today? Speaking to someone who cares or your midwife would be good (at this early stage you may not know the midwife well, but they are trained and understand all about the ups and downs of pregnancy and the feelings you have described)

There is so much to deal with and process while your baby settles and grows in the beautiful cozy home you’ve made them. Find somewhere comfortable and secure yourself lovely. Breathe, allow your mind to rest a while - give it permission to take time out. A bit of distraction can help like watching a favourite film or going for a walk (but perhaps after the heat dials down!) 🌸

Do you normally worry about things that may go wrong?
you could be building up a wall to protect you so if anything did go wrong (God forbid it does) you can say you knew it would
yoi definitely need to start relaxing

It’s very normal to worry although it does sound as though things are getting to you more than most. Have a chat with your midwife, they can put you in touch with the maternity mental health team, they deal with this sort of thing a lot and will be able to talk you through everything and help you manage your worries.

I’m now 29 weeks but was exactly like you around that time. It was miserable, I was constantly wondering whether she was still alive inside me or not. I don’t have the answer but I will say that once i started to feel her move I felt a lot lot better as I know longer questioning whether she was okay. It’s not be completely anxiety free, I have had intense constant Braxton hicks since 19 weeks which heightens my anxiety, and a few episodes where she’s just stopped moving, but at least I now
don’t Feel the need to be paying for scans all the time to check on her. On that actually, if you can afford a scan I’d say just do it, even if it just relaxes you for a few days it’s worth it.

I was like this, had a mc before 12weeks the first time so thought I would be fine from the 12 week scan. From 12-20weeks most people lose their symptoms which then makes it feel like you are not pregnant.

I stopped worrying after the 20 week scan, then a few weeks after that I started to feel kicks each evening which reassured me he was ok or at least still there.

Once you feel movements it helps as reassurance.