Anxiety in pregnancy

[AllyBally]

Hi everyone!

I haven't posted in a while because work and general family commitments have been keeping me busy.

I'm currently 25+2 pregnant with our first baby. I've always been a fairly anxious person during my teenage years and into my 20s, but I've generally managed to keep a lid on it.

Like most first time mums, i was particularly anxious during my first trimester - mainly about the possibility of a miscarriage. I then had a good 5-6 week spell where i was generally feeling better in myself, excited and not particularly worried.

For the past week, ive found myself worrying again. I was watching a programme on tv about people with limb deformoties and various other degrees of disability. They were all amazimg individuals, but i started to develop this irrational fear that my baby wouldn't be 'perfect'. I had a normal 12 and 20 week scan followed by a couple of private ones. I started to look back through my scan photos and realised that i couldnt get a clear view of the hands in any of them. This spiraled out of control into the above thoughts.

My husband is very supportive but i don't want these thoughts to get out of control. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? I am generally happy and excited, but when i have these moments ot anxiety they seem to take over.

Any advice would be welcome. I know some people might think im stupid, and i realise there are bigger issues in the world. But even coming on here to write it all down has helped me a little.

Ally

 

[Donna88]

The scan pictures really don't tend to give a clear view of things like hands or feet (sometimes people get them but it doesn't happen very often) some pictures don't even show legs or arms clearly. You have to remember baby is moving in there and the pictures aren't very accurate.

If your baby didn't have hands or if there was something wrong with their hands, the sonographer would have picked up on it.

It's natural to worry about things going wrong; all you can do is try to put it to the back of your mind. If there is something wrong; your baby will still be perfect - however the chances are nothing will be wrong anyway so worrying is only causing you unnecessary stress.

 

[MoominGirl]

I think it's natural to worry about things especially when it's all new. I'm not generally a worrier but as we followed such a difficult path to get here I was really expecting to be an anxious mess. I've actually been pretty chilled out probably because I have been so lucky and felt so well.

I do still have moments though, mostly surrounding our difficult experience with the fertility consultant. I've found what has helped me is to find ways to take control and just educating myself generally so that I hopefully feel a bit more prepared. We live far from family so I've made a real effort to join local pregnancy groups as sometimes just hearing that other people feel what you're feeling helps. I've also booked antenatal classes for me and OH and we are going to visit all the maternity units we're considering so we're making a conscious choice.

I hope that makes sense and I haven't just made myself out to be a total control freak!!

 

[AllyBally]

Thank you both! I've looked into relaxation techniques and have signed up to the Daisy antenatal classes which incorporate this too i think. My anxiety seems to come in waves!

Moomin when are you due? Cant be long for you now! X

 

[MoominGirl]

Thank you both! I've looked into relaxation techniques and have signed up to the Daisy antenatal classes which incorporate this too i think. My anxiety seems to come in waves!

Moomin when are you due? Cant be long for you now! X

13th November It's starting to get closer now. Tri 2 seemed to drag a bit but now I'm counting down the weeks left to work.

I've just started Daisy Birthing. The class was really good so hopefully you enjoy it.

 

[AllyBally]

Thank you both! I've looked into relaxation techniques and have signed up to the Daisy antenatal classes which incorporate this too i think. My anxiety seems to come in waves!

Moomin when are you due? Cant be long for you now! X

13th November It's starting to get closer now. Tri 2 seemed to drag a bit but now I'm counting down the weeks left to work.

I've just started Daisy Birthing. The class was really good so hopefully you enjoy it.

Time is flying by!! Have you bought most of the essential things? Would be interested to hear your opinion on Daisy! I've been advised the birthing classes are mums only, then you can do a couples course at the end? x

 

[MoominGirl]

Thank you both! I've looked into relaxation techniques and have signed up to the Daisy antenatal classes which incorporate this too i think. My anxiety seems to come in waves!

Moomin when are you due? Cant be long for you now! X

13th November It's starting to get closer now. Tri 2 seemed to drag a bit but now I'm counting down the weeks left to work.

I've just started Daisy Birthing. The class was really good so hopefully you enjoy it.

Time is flying by!! Have you bought most of the essential things? Would be interested to hear your opinion on Daisy! I've been advised the birthing classes are mums only, then you can do a couples course at the end? x

We have picked up most things now. I've got a week off work next week so I know I'm going to be trying to sort out the last of it. I like to be organised and OH will be so glad he's at work!!

The birthing classes are mums only which is the one I'm going to. There's a lot about good positions and breathing techniques. Also relaxation which I expect will be good for anxiety. I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I would definitely recommend.

There are couples courses but there isn't one in my area as the teacher is just setting up here. We are doing NCT instead as we found one where the times suited us better.