6 weeks pregnant and just so anxious.

[expectnewmum]

I am 6 weeks pregnant and just feel so much anxiety. I have done one pregnancy test which was positive and my boobs are quite sore and swollen but don't really feel much else. just can't stop googling symptoms of miscarriage and can't get out of my head that I have had a miscarriage and just don't know yet. have signed up at a local hospital for self referral but haven't heard anything back from them yet. all very overwhelming and just want to know everything will be ok!!

Well stop Googling for a start, causing yourself stress can itself cause a miscarriage so you’re only increasing your chances by thinking about it. You’re only 6 weeks, other than a missed period and tender breasts, many women don’t have any other symptoms until later on.

Practice some calming breathing exercises, find something to distract yourself like a book, messaging a friend or getting outside when you start to feel anxious.

Visit your GP and your anxiety and mention it to your midwife when you get one.

Sorry you're feeling this way - I can very much relate! I was absolutely terrified of something going wrong all through my pregnancy (she's now a toddler). If you have the means and think it would be helpful then a private reassurance scan can be booked from six weeks for around £65. I'd recommend speaking to the midwives/perinatal mental health team further down the line if you're feeling overwhelmed as they were very helpful with me. Please don't let the 'you're only increasing your chances by thinking about it' comment rattle you. I know from personal experience how difficult it is to 'switch off' stress. Most early losses are not caused by anxiety but by chromosomal factors utterly out of our control. Talk to those close to you about how you're feeling and know that it's a very, very common anxiety for pregnant people to have so you're certainly not alone! x

Anxiety in early pregnancy is normal, it's hard when you don't know whats going on in there.

If you were going to have a miscarriage there is nothing you can do to change the outcome but worrying beforehand would mean you'll suffer twice. I say that as someone who's had 2 miscarriages.

I highly recommend booking a private early scan. 7 weeks is a great time to go as they'll be able to tell if everything is good or not without it being to early where they sometimes can't see much. After that just distract yourself and pass the time, I watched every rom com on Netflix whilst waiting for my first scan!

I would say although it’s easier said than done, try to relax and enjoy it. I found out I was pregnant in June after 7 years of trying and I was riddled with anxiety I just didn’t enjoy it at all. I ended up miscarrying at 8 weeks and regret not enjoying it when I had the chance .. I realised that no amount of worrying is going to change anything so unless there is something to worry about, don’t 😊

Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy x