What are you doing to help combat anxiety

[nannymom]

I am newly pregnant with baby #1. I am thrilled, but to be perfectly honest I am horrified my baby won't live. I have only know I was pregnant since last Friday. I have no reason to suspect that I might Miscarry but the fear is really making it diffucult for me to feel happy. I was wondering if anyone is having similar feelings or has any advice.

[storeimy]

I know how you feel and even though this is my third baby, I still have those same fears. I think it's very normal. However, you can't let those fears keep you from living and enjoying your pregnancy. If a miscarriage is going to happen, there is nothing you can do to prevent it. All the worrying in the world won't help. When I feel fear overwhelming me I try to tell myself that I am pregnant NOW and I will enjoy this baby every moment. Be positive, be happy. You have a beautiful little life growing there!!

[Larissa]

I have an almost 2 year old son, and I had a miscarriage last fall when I was 12 weeks along.

This pregnancy is different for me because I have fears that I didn't actually have in my prior pregnancies. I keep telling myself that if I don't get excited, if I don't plan, think about names...all the things associated with getting pregnant....it won't make miscarriage hurt any less. So, I might as well be thankful, and excited, and plan away....and enjoy the time I have to think about my coming child...all while hoping and praying that everything will be okay!

[Jessviola]

i have to admit i'm freaking out big time right now because of all the recent miscarriages. i don't have any reason to think it will happen with my baby, but then again, does anyone?

sticky vibes and belly blessings for all!

[gristastic]

I understand completely! I've been having TERRIBLE anxiety over the last week. The first week was a breeze and then I just started freaking out, suddenly.

I have also had a few chemical pregnancies, so I have a bit to worry about, I guess. Frankly, I'm scared to death.

My heart is so low right now with all the miscarriages, too. I just don't know what to do.

[Kaliki]

I feel the same way--I'm newly pregnant for the first time, and I feel like the hold this little bundle of cells has on my uterus is so tenuous!

I try to think about this: even if I worry and try to keep myself from getting excited and don't think about names or the future or the due date, I will still be crushed if I miscarry. I really won't be sparing myself any hurt or disappointment by trying not to get excited. So I'm allowing myself to be excited (while being cautious about telling people), and I'm doing everything I can to be healthy and give the little sprog the best chance it has--nutritious food, plenty of rest, etc.

Also, I was talking to a friend of mine who is at 16 weeks and telling her if I could just make it to 12, I could relax. And she said "no, you won't, b/c then you'll be worrying about the genetic tests and the weight gain and the money and everything else." Her point was that there's always something to worry about, and if you want to look at pregnancy like a human condition instead of a medical condition, you have to find a way to relax and enjoy it, even if you can't banish all the worry from your mind.

(Of course, don't let me fool you into believing I am all serene and worry-free! I am terrified something will happen and I struggle with not letting it overwhelm the joy).

[guestmama9924]

I used a book called Nurturing the Unborn Child by Thomas Verny. Also a tape called Bonding with Baby I found in a bookshop also.
Both helped me to focus on the sensitive development without worry and to deal with the internal conflicts and worry. I truly enjoyed both, especially the book which is a workbook style of things to do each week
At about 9 weeks I started bleeding and was in pain. I was so scared and I tried to focus on the "meditative communication" in both the book and tape and communicate to my baby that s/he was wanted and loved no matter what my body decided to do.
SHE stayed

[Jessviola]

kris!
i didn't realize you're a december mama to be too! it seemed like ages between the time you got your bfp and i got mine :LOL

[gristastic]

I couldn't be happier to see you here!

[Jessviola]

thanks kris!!
i could say the same for you!

[traci5489]

Right now I am kind of going with the anxiety flow. I can seem to make myself feel any better or worry any less, so just going with the constant fear right now. I had a mc in Sept (10 wks) and another mc in Jan (5 wks) so hoping and praying this babe sticks around....I think if I can get past my loss dates (made it past 5 wks), then maybe I can relax...or maybe when I see a heartbeat...or maybe I am just not going to relax at all :

I really am a basket case : : but just happy to be pg again and praying for the best!

[nannymom]

sticky wishes

Traci, I know just how you feel. I have managed to relax a bit this week, but it is a constant battle with my mind. I am so sorry about your previous losses. I really wish you all the best. You may want to check out my post "freaking out" everyone gave me really helpful advice.

[MountainLovinMama]

I am anxious too. I am seven weeks along, and I am just holding my breath until the 12th week passes. I am feeling all sorts of positive signs - m/s, my belly is definitely starting to give hints of "popping soon" (I'm slender AND very short waisted - no place for baby to hide!), my breasts are much bigger, I'm tired, etc...in other words, I feel pregnant. But I still worry.... The end of last week I had two episodes of spotting. Tiny episodes - literally one very small spot each time, pinkish brownish. One was definitely the day after sex, and both were within a few days of when I normally would have a period. But I freaked and started to feel really down and worried. I am going to visit my ob tomorrow to see if she can allay my fears. (They were SOO nice when I called; they usually don't see clients until 12 weeks, but when I mentioned the spotting, they said, "well lets go ahead and get you in here tomorrow then, just so we can ease any anxieties." I'm hoping that will make me feel more relaxed and confident!!!

-kd

[Tuli-Mpls]

I’ve been having lots of anxiety too. After 2 years of infertility and a failed IVF, I finally got PG with frozen embryos leftover from the failed cycle. So after countless unfruitful 2ww’s, now I’ve got an 8ww to get through. I’m so thrilled to be pregnant, but also just so terrified. I just have a hard time after all this believing that my body can do this amazing thing. I think that if this pregnancy sticks, it will be very healing for me, as infertility has really messed with an already shaky body image. We’ll get through it, though! I’m so happy to talk to others who are also due in December-you all are a Godsend!!