Almost 19 weeks and constant anxiety over something being wrong

[L00k4m3x]

I really just cannot stop worrying and my anxiety is spiralling 😩

I have felt baby maybe 3 times over the last 4/5 days and it’s only ever when I’m laid flat at night, although last night I didn’t which is probably why today I feel way worse. I was told at my gender scan that my placenta was ‘fundal anterior’ so I know it is probably cushioning some movements.

This is my third pregnancy and I felt both my previous two all the time by this point. I also don’t feel like my bump is very big either. My 20 week scan is in a weeks time and I’m TERRIFIED for it because my anxiety has convinced me something is wrong.

Please help put my mind at ease! If I ring my
maternity unit are they likely to think I’m nuts or will they do something to help?

if you have an anterior placenta, it's normal not to feel much at this stage, same with your bump - as baby is essentially at the back. if you have your 20 week scan next week, I don't think they'd see you earlier unless you have symptoms like bleeding. but i would discuss your anxiety with your MW at your next appointment. I'm 16 weeks, and finding it so tough after a miscarriage last year. I'm just taking each day as it comes and trying to remember that statistically it's far more likely to be OK than not be OK.

Hi OP, there’s nothing they can do to physically “help” you. Your scan is next week and honestly even if you didn’t have an anterior placenta it is still totally normal not to be feeling movements at 19 weeks so please try not to worry although I know it’s easier said than done. I definitely think you would benefit from discussing your anxiety with your midwife though because they can absolutely support you x

Thanks ladies! By help I guess I meant would they listen for heartbeat? But I really hate thinking I’m wasting time, I guess you’re right and my scan is only 6 days away so I should just hang tight. With my previous two pregnancies they listened to the heartbeat at 16 weeks but this time the midwife didn’t and I REALLY could have done with that reassurance 😩 Thanks for the reassurance, it’s hard having an anterior placenta after not having one before, I didn’t realise just how much it affects movement.

They are unlikely to even listen in to heartbeat at 19 weeks OP, the guidance now is that they don’t start using the doppler to listen to heartbeat now until your 25 week appointment because before that the baby is so small still that they can struggle to find it even when everything is perfectly fine and it just causes unnecessary anxiety, and they don’t have the capacity to send everyone for a scan if they don’t manage to get a heartbeat with a doppler so it was causing too much stress. Honestly try not to worry, your scan is next week it will all be fine! X

@Mrsttcno1 Thank you for being so nice! 🥺❤️ Will be sure to update in case any future anxiety ridden moms come across this in the future!

No problem! It is so so difficult, I’m nearly 40 weeks now and I was exactly the same until I started feeling regular movements, now I look back and wish I had just tried to relax and enjoy pregnancy a bit more rather than spending so much of it worrying! Good luck & congratulations!! X

33 weeks pregnant with my 3rd and can’t offer any advice apart from saying I feel crippled with anxiety, like a gut feeling from the start that something will be wrong.

I can’t shake it. I’ve had multiple scans and appts and have no reason to be concerned about anything in particular. Personally I think it’s my mind telling me I’ve been lucky enough to have 2 healthy children already and maybe this is my time for something to be wrong. Twisted way to think but it must be how I’m wired and I think if anything I’m feeling more paranoid as due day draws closer!

I feel your pain - hang in there!

@Ismo456 I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, I’ve had two healthy babies with no complications and surely that can’t happen a third time? Plus this is our last baby and it’s a girl after 2 boys, we also conceived immediately as appose to my boys taking almost a year each time. I just feel like it’s all too good to be true! 😩

I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way, at least you’re on the home stretch now! Not too long to go! ❤️

This is how I'm feeling. My anxiety has got bad this week. I'm 20 weeks tomorrow and got our scan. I'm petrified they won't find a heartbeat. Iv had 3 miscarriages before this baby. I haven't had any definite baby movements and it's scaring me x

@My2boysaremyworld I hope everything goes well today! I’m sure everything will be just fine! ❤️

@L00k4m3x thank you. Had a horrible nightmare last night. I'm so anxious xx

@My2boysaremyworld I hope everything went well and you’re at home now breathing a huge sigh of relief!!!

@L00k4m3x yes scan went well as could be lol. Baby was playing up again and didn't get a photo. I had to jump around to try and move baby lol. Got to go back next week for another scsn to get measurements of certain organs xx

I can totally relate. I'm 19+2 and crippled with anxiety that I'm gunna turn up to my 20 week scan and they'll tell me something is wrong. I have a "worst case scenario" defect. It's awful but reassuring to see I'm not the only one! I'm sure everything will be okay and your pregnancies are very healthy!

@Bonnybairn sending hugs. It's horrible isn't it. When is your scan? All day Iv been trying to get baby to move and had nothing still. Had scan today and baby wouldn't stop moving to the point they couldn't get all the measurements they needed so gotta go back next week. They said I have an anterior placenta so that has reassured me a bit as to why im not really feeling anything. Try distracting yourself with something like colouring in etc xx

I didn't feel my 3rd until about 21/22 weeks. I thought it was odd but everything turned out just fine!

Hang in there mama!

@My2boysaremyworld awww that's absolutely lovely. Do you feel better? I keep feeling what I think are little juts but not sure if that's baby or just my guts 🤣 but then when I think about it, as if by magic they stop 🤣 so I'm driving myself mad! My next scan is 22nd April when I'm 20+5, nd I'm equally excited as I am dreading it! Wish I could put it all to one side and enjoy it xx

@Bonnybairn yeah feel better cuz now I know Iv got an anterior placenta I know not to expect lots of kicks. Good luck for your scan and yes sounds like movements your feeling x

That’s good! I’m pleased it’s made you calmer! N thank you! X