Perinatal MH doesn't have space for me - what can I do?

[firsttimepregnanthelp]

I am 18w pregnant and my anxiety seems to be getting worse, not better as I thought it would past 12 weeks. I am preoccupied with fears of miscarriage and stillbirth (despite having not had a loss) and have spent a fortune on private scans. I have an anterior placenta so don't feel movement yet but I am scared that when I start feeling movement I might not notice if it reduces or changes and that I could therefore put my baby at risk. I asked to be referred to the perinatal MH team 13 weeks ago and finally had a phone call from them yesterday saying they have no availability at the moment. What else can I do? I can't keep paying for private scans and they only provide momentary relief anyway. I ended up at triage last week because i thought my 'bump' (not really a bump yet!) had got smaller. I am going to drive myself crazy if I don't get a grip but I do feel I need professional support with this. Any ideas?

Contact the normal local services for anxiety and see if they can help.

Hi, I was similar to this last year. Just to say that you can self refer to talking therapies via the NHS if that is any use to you. I did that and also paid privately for a therapist too for a couple of months. You can keep pushing the perinatal MH team too of course but I found the chasing exhausting. Xx

Talking therapies prioritise you when pregnant

You could pay for a private therapist… probably would cost less than the scans.

Contact your local mental health team.
Ive just completed pregnancy counselling with a local charity and was referred by the mental health team.