Constant anxiety in pregnancy

[Annabelle65rgh]

Hello all, looking for advice or similar experiences to make me fell less alone/ ease my anxiety!
I am naturally a really anxious person but it has ramped up in pregnancy. It all started when I found out pretty late that i was pregnant and was drinking a lot during early stages of pregnancy. Obviously I don’t know I was pregnant but I when I found out it’s all I could think about, thinking I had harmed the baby. Once I got over that worry, I started stressing after I had eaten and drank mould without realising! That’s when the next worry started. I had terrible sickness and was even hospitalised and put on medication, so haven’t eaten healthy or a full meal in months, so the next worry came from the worry of the bad nutrition I was putting in my body and constantly scared that I would get toxoplasmosis or listeria! These are just a couple of examples but I always have something to worry about. I want to do my best for the baby. I don’t need anyone telling me I am crazy, but is anyone else the same boat or can offer any advice. Thank you.

Hey lovely. Firstly you’re not crazy at all. Anxiety is really no matter what form. I haven’t experienced the same anxiety as you but I am also a naturally anxious person and as soon as I found out I was pregnant it ramped up. Have you discussed with your midwife?

I also found out I was pregnant late and had been drinking loads (it was Christmas!!!). Whilst it never worried me, to reassure you my son was and it absolutely fine and unaffected by it all.

Thank you so much for your lovely message! I do sometimes worry that people think I am crazy but I just want the best for my baby. I did speak to the midwife but not much help unfortunately :( Thank you for telling me your experience with the drinking! I had just got engaged so drank lots and I was so worried about it! Thank you ❤️

You need to ask the GP or midwife to refer you for MH support.

Yeah I really would try not worry about the drinking (easier said than done). I have health anxiety and lots of that is specific to pregnancy and birth too and things going wrong. I have done CBT during pregnancy and am under the care of a special midwife team who look after women with anxiety etc. your midwife should 100% be able to help. Have you specifically mentioned your a
anxiety levels and can they refer you to the perinatal mental health team?

Yes, terrible anxiety in my second pregnancy because I had haematoma bleed at 14 weeks and we couldn’t access healthcare for three days because women’s health clinic was shut on weekends. I spoke to my midwife more than normal and she’s now referred me to perinatal mental health. Have you also thought about chatting to your GP? I knew a few women that found the talking therapy helped or a small dose of sertraline.

You sound very much like me. I self referred for talking therapies and was fast tracked due to being pregnant.