Truly at breaking point with health anxiety

[he123x]

Hello, I’m currently 35 weeks pregnant and suffering from the worst health anxiety of my life - I really am at rock bottom.

I’ve been in hospital yesterday as I thought I was having contractions - I was having tightening but they stopped after 4 hours. I had numerous bloods, urine tests etc all clear but they’ve sent my urine off and given me some antibs as a precaution as I am prone to UTIs. I’ve not slept in over 24 hours and am exhausted.

I woke up from a short nap this morning feeling warm and achey - because of my anxiety I’ve been taking my temp literally all day. It ranges between 36-37.4. Orally it is higher. I’m panicking I’m going to die and I don’t know what to do - my partner has well and truly had enough and I don’t blame him. Is this temp normal and is it probably just because of my exhaustion?

Op, I’m no medic , but have definitely in the past suffered from Nervous anxiety.

Try slowing your out breath- (Google how to do it) It really helps calm you physically.

Exercise also helps calm one down. A brisk walk ?

Stop taking your temp - Being agitated can make one feel hot and bothered, although it shouldn’t cause a rise in body temperature.

Body temp does fluctuate naturally throughout the day- often rising in the evening.

I have really bad health anxiety and I agree with the first pp- you need to start trying to calm yourself down. Take a deep breath, go for a walk and just (as easy as it sounds) take things slow and rest.

You’re nearing the end of your pregnancy, you’ll be feeling nervous and exhausted so this will be adding to how you’re feeling. Your body temp will fluctuate during the day- stop checking it.

Trust that you got checked over yesterday and all was okay that you got sent home.

My partner was told by a therapist to reassure me once and then to firmly say it’s in my head and to stop asking. It seems harsh but constant seeking for reassurance won’t help you and you’ll end up trying to rely on it.

Thank you - that’s really helpful. My partner has done years of this and he’s fed up I don’t blame him. So am I living like it and if I could turn my anxiety off I would.

I’ve just taken it one last time and it’s 37.1 so that’s normal I’m going to stop now and try and pull myself together. I was in hosp yesterday and had all the tests done to man - I am ok.

I've also been struggling with bad anxiety and recently had to go to triage with pains thinking I was losing my baby at 20 weeks which luckily everything was fine but now I'm too scared to even do anything, the things that's helped me is doing something to take my mind off it:
Getting comfy on the couch and watching a film
Playing a game on your phone
Drinking lots of water
Try your best to trust your body, our body's are very clever and know what they are doing, you've done so well to get to 35 weeks just take it a day at a time and try not to thinking about the future too much as that can cause more overthinking and panic (I do it all the time! Very bad habit)

Thank you so much. Bless you that must have been so scary for you. I really can’t wait for this pregnancy to be over and for her to be here, I’m hoping I can go back to my normal self (well normal ish - I’ll always be a worrier) xx

You are fine. Your baby is fine. Your brain is getting stuck. Do some relaxing breathing techniques and watch some relaxing tv.