Is this Normal in pregnancy?

[em2026]

nearly 6 months pregnant & the last few months I’ve become increasingly anxious. About pretty much everything, but the worst one is leaving the house. Even doing the food shop makes me feel sick & panicky. I work term time so have had the summer holidays off, and things like swimming with my children have been hard to bare, and I normally really enjoy swimming. Even driving at the minute is sending me into a panic. I also seem to be stupidly claustrophobic (never was previously) which again sends me into a panic.
im hoping this is just a pregnancy thing (has been nearly 11 years since I was last pregnant & had zero symptoms with either of my children previously), and this pregnancy has been physically and mentally draining so far.

is there anything I can do to help this? My midwife has previously shrugged things off and told me how pregnancy is humbling…which is correct but even so.

I had no issues with my first two but with the third (and final) I was absolutely insane. Honestly how anxious and irritated I was really sealed the deal that my womb is closed for business and tbh if I was like that with the first one - she would be an only child! My midwife shrugged it off as well and tbh I wish I had maybe pushed harder because it wasn’t fair on my kids or my poor husband or me!

I don’t think it’s abnormal in a sense you need to worry about it - but it’s not common. My SIL has experienced it with her 2ed baby so she was very good at supporting me, but really I wish I’d gotten more help from my midwife who’s job it is to help.

Thank you for making me feel more normal! Sorry you felt the same-but you’ve described it to a T. This is definitely the last because I absolutely cannot do this again-to myself or anyone else.
i will definitely mention it next week to midwife-even if nothing comes of it!
thank you ☺️

If it's extreme, I don't think it's typical 💖

There should be a mental health team your midwife can refer you to. Sending support!

Hey this sounds tough; sorry your midwife hasn’t been much help!
Anxiety can absolutely come up during pregnancy, even if you had nothing like this with your other two. Every pregnancy is different!
“Pregnancy is humbling” might be true, but you still deserve some actual support.
If it’s starting to affect leaving the house, driving and things you normally enjoy, I’d definitely mention it to your GP or midwife again and be really clear about how much it’s affecting your everyday life.

11 years is a big gap too. Be gentle with yourself. Sending you a big hug.