Anxiety rocketing - talk me down!

[Thankyouthankyoujellybean]

19+6 third pregnancy. The first two were plagued with mental health issues, but until today I've been very chilled out, which has been wonderful.

Last night I did some googling to try to find out when I get tests for chromosome abnormalities, as I had thought it was earlier than 20 weeks. We're in Northern Ireland, first pregnancy here, and stupidly I thought that all the tests would be the same as in England. Turns out my trust don't look at the nuchal fold, don't do any blood tests for chromosome abnormalities and if you do want an abortion... you still have to go to England.

I'll pay for the private test (£400!) and hope for the best, but I'm still in a total meltdown. Logically there is a way around this issue but I'm still spinning out. I'm 39, so the risk is still only 1/100. The odds are good, but the idea that the people who are responsible for providing care restrict information because of geographical location (if I lived 15 mins up the road, I'd be able to have an abortion here) is making me panic. I don't trust this stupid country that I was born and raised in.

I can get a blood test tomorrow and the results before the end of the week. Why am I so panicked?! How can I chill out?!

Hi @Thankyouthankyoujellybean sorry to hear your struggling with anxiety. I'm only 7.5 weeks and so anxious after a miscarriage a few months ago. I think it's normal to be anxious and it's normal to worry about chromosomal abnormalities. Did you have your 20-week scan yet or is it soon? That will spot most abnormalities. There's a Harmony blood tests you can have from around 10 weeks I think that also screens for abnormalities but again you have to pay privately in Ireland and Northern Ireland as far as I know.

I wish I had some advice on how to help you relax. I've learned that being pregnant is living with a constant low level anxiety. I find Insight Timer good and meditations and slow breathing. There's no point worrying about an abortion at this stage. All that's in your control is booking the blood test so I'd focus on getting that done first and hopefully all will be good with the baba.

@Strawberrybloom thank you so much for replying, you are very sweet. I went off the charts there for a minute! I had a blood test this morning and should have the results by the end of the week, which is impressive. I also ate a massive burrito and am now too sluggish to be anxious... for a few hours anyway 😆

I'll look into Insight Timer, thanks for that. I hope all is well with you!