Anxious mamas

Not saying this is the right choice for you, but I ended up needing anti anxiety medication. I was 12 months postpartum and had been experiencing major anxiety for all of that time. Since it never got better for me, I decided to go to a psychiatrist. Now I have been on meds for 6 months and it has helped my anxiety tremendously. I feel so much better! I am finding motherhood less and less stressful as my baby turns into a toddler, so I am hoping to not need the meds in a few months anymore. Hope you feel better soon!

@Caylee what kind of meds have you been on if you can reveal please? I’m 4 weeks pp and experiencing major anxiety at the moment as well. I was on meds in the past and reluctant to go back on them so maybe it will get better as it’s still early days..

Lucy, I think you’re asking about anxiety in pregnancy? I had the same thing, I have no advice other than just keep an eye on it and if it gets bad seek professional help - good luck with your pregnancy 🤰

I'm 30 +2 and I'm STILL anxious

I’m pregnant btw like very early and that’s what’s driving me crazy

Every time I go on the internet I see a negative post it’s driving me up the wall an still have so much left of the first trimester

I am in Spain so the medicine might be called something different. But I was on mirtazapine (Rexer) for most of the time. Just switched to pregabaline (Lyrica) because the other one was making me gain weight.

@Caylee I’m glad you’re feeling better now! It’s good to advocate yourself and there’s no harm in needing anti anxiety meds

@Vicki you are so close to the finish line!! I can’t wait to get to that point

@Lucy yeah I think that's what the anxiety has turned into now 🤣

@Vicki you’ve got this update us when he/she is here

29 weeks today and still anxious. I had counselling before conceiving, but didn’t really click with her and don’t think it helped because she just seemed so disinterested…

Shall do!! You'll be amazing too sweet, I think the anxiety in the beginning is really normal x

If your super anxious definitely speak to a midwife/ or your GP if you haven’t been referred to a midwife yet… I felt very anxious on the lead up to that first scan at 12 weeks, if you explain this to the midwives they will probably put you in for more ultrasounds in the future which is very helpful.. is there anything in particular that’s making you super anxious at this time? It could be the massive surges of hormones?? I hope you feel better soon x

Honestly, I was anxious when I found out I was pregnant and I'm still anxious now but it eases off every so often - it's normally around the time of blood tests, clinic visits - but I'm only feeling this because I had two previous losses. I'm 19 weeks tomorrow and although I'm OK, it's not easy. I'd see what your anxiety is like - mine is generally mild, so no need for medication, but I would say have a chat with your GP and midwife

@Donna I hope you feel better love. Honestly I think it’s just part of motherhood to always be worried about our babies and oh no that’s the worse! You’re also so close to the finish line about 11 weeks away don’t worry you’ve got this

@Ariel I will do! It doesn’t help that in the UK you’re not seen until about 8-10 weeks. I did a self referral a week or so ago and I haven’t heard from them about when my appointment is, it’s so anxiety inducing. The first few days I was excited and then the more I scrolled tik tok and saw negativity, I’ve found myself spiraling the last few days

@Kirsty I’m happy that you’re far along now and hope this pregnancy is smooth. I don’t know why I’m anxious, it’s my first pregnancy so I just freak out at every sensation, I’m scared to walk and exercise, scared to eat certain things and also haven’t told many people

@Lucy I know, I’m in the UK too and I remember finding it bizarre how long it took to see someone, especially when I take meds for anxiety and depression… try to avoid reading too much stuff online… x x

I am anxious too. I hope that my anxiety ends with the first trimester. My anxiety is mainly because everyone keeps saying that the first trimester the pregnancy is constantly at risk, etc etc.. so I am really looking forward to the second trimester as the risks drop

@Ariel absolutely bizarre, I can’t believe pregnant women get treated like this

@Stefania honestly I’m the same I just went first trimester to be done and I’ve crossed that bridge but it’s ages away so I don’t know how I’ve got about 6 weeks more of this worry

@Lucy Thank you. I had a previous (and particularly traumatic) loss at 23w so getting past that was my big milestone. 💜 She was just so blasé and kept asking if there was no one I could talk to, which personally threw me, as I thought her job was literally to be someone I could talk to. 🤣

@Lucy don't worry too much about exercise. I was far too tired to do any during the first trimester, it's only since 14 weeks I actually started back up - swimming mostly. Food wise, I just carried on as normal only I have an aversion to cod and I'd kill for a fish finger sandwich 😫 I didn't tell anyone until I hit the 12 week point

@Lucy Definitely try and avoid the negativity(and smugness) on social media!

@Donna how terrible was she? Instead of offering her help she’s asking if there’s anybody’s else oh yikes

@Kirsty I feel awful because a day before I took the test I went to the gym and did abs and went crazy

@Kirsty so far I have no aversions I’m just scared to eat something in case it’s not safe

@Lucy I very much empathise! I’m 7 weeks 1 day and living abroad with all my family and friends in the UK. I’m not normally an anxious person but since being preggo my anxiety is through the roof! I worry about everything, especially the baby’s development. Luckily in Belgium the health care is very good so I’ve already seen a GP and had a blood test but, whilst the GP was very calm about everything and said it all looks good, my thyroid is a bit low so I’m now on meds for it. Needless to say, Dr Google has NOT been my friend and has sent me into a mega rabbit hole of anxiety since 🙈 I think it’s best to stay off apps like Insta/Tik Tok and googling because it just seems to exacerbate worries rather than reassure them although I know this is a lot easier said than done. Sending you lots of virtual zen and support! 🌻

I'm 24 weeks and still anxious due to short long bones found on the anatomy scan (though no other known issues). Hope the anxiety will go away but I think that's something us moms always live with. 💞

@Anna Sofia yes it’s awful! I’ve decided to tell people that can help me when I’m spiraling and I wish had access to really good healthcare, maybe I’ll go private

@Lucy it's OK, I was dismantling two old double beds, bringing in a brand new one and putting it all together by myself the day I found out so it's OK. For food though, the only things that aren't safe are specific types of cheese, raw fish, eggs that aren't Lion marked, pâté and things like salami and pepperoni. I've also avoided grapes and pineapple too. Red meat, pork, chicken all fine. Have you met a midwife at all yet? If not, I have a book that has safe foods and unsafe foods in so I can message you that?

I was super anxious all the way up to my 12 week scan. I am feeling it again now and am 16 weeks. The scan really helped. It might be worth going to a private scan if you want to have a check in?

I was super anxious and gave myself checkpoints to look forward to.. “ok I’m going to just wait till 12 weeks” and really told myself that my baby is trusting me to stay calm and protect her and I have to trust that she is doing her(or his) very best to grow. Then the 12 week would come and I would set another time for myself. ALSO i also found out relatively early, at 4.5 weeks. So it is a blessing and also something really hard. So talking with other friends or my mom to just have someone that I could be anxious with. It’s really hard, but trust yourself and your body! 💕

@Hannah yes! Just trust your body! I'm the same, each day is a new day and a new milestone.

@Hannah thanks this is a really good way to put it. I’m going to give myself two week milestones so get to 6, get to 8, get to 10 etc