Not enjoying this pregnancy!

[Nikki1979]

Hi all, I am almost 17 weeks pregnant with my second child. It took me about 3 years to get this far. So far I am not enjoying this pregnancy because of anxiety. I want this child so badly that I am always scared that something will go wrong. I feel like I cannot be that lucky or blessed to be given a second child. I pray everyday that I get to bring this baby home. At every ultrasound and check up, I expect to be told that something has gone wrong. I am already so attached to my baby and I feel all this anxiety and stress may be bad for him. I just cant wait to feel him moving regularly to calm me down. Does anybody know any relaxation tips?

Thanks.

 

[flowergirl7]

I don't really know any relaxation tips but I didn't want to read and run. One thing I can tell you is I worry a lot as well I think it's normal it was worse with my first pregnancy. I would tell my father how scared I was and talk to him about how if something doesn't go right at the next appointment I don't know what I'd do. He would answer saying you can't live life like that worrying that something bad will happen around every corner and to enjoy every second I can. That really helped me. I still worry but I try to enjoy all the things in my pregnancys. I hope this made sense and helped a little. And I hope you are able to relax and enjoy.

 

[Nerdy]

I know exactly how you feel. Things I KNOW are mundane in any given pregnancy are suddenly a gigantic deal because it's happening in MY pregnancy. I'm worried over every little twinge, or lack thereof. It's the curse of motherhood. I know I was a 1000% worse during my pregnancy with my son.

 

[BrittRashel]

I suffer from generalized anxiety disorder which is magnified during pregnancy. My doctor actually just put me back on my anxiety medication because it has gotten so severe. She also approved my teas which I had really been missing because I quit drinking herbal teas when I found out I was pregnant. Celestial makes a tension tamer tea that is amazing! It really does relax you. Maybe you could try some of that.

 

[DaisyAnne]

So, I can't say I know exactly what you're going through, but I suffer from anxiety over a different issue in my life with my son. I try to have a few positive phrases that I repeat to myself immediately when I start to feel overly anxious. I also pray and I like to remember the verse "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." Having positive things ready to tell myself help me be ready to replace the negative thoughts rather than be overwhelmed by them.

Also, I don't know your whole story and we all have different experiences, but I had a miscarriage with my last pregnancy and it can cause me to worry about losing this baby and sometimes forget to enjoy this one as much as I would be. To try to enjoy the moment a little more, I make a point to spend some time just laying down rubbing my belly thinking about the baby in there and what he/she might be like, or roaming the baby aisle of the store for a few moments looking at baby stuff... it just helps me take in the moment of being pregnant a little bit.

I don't know if any of these things will help you, but consider asking your doctor about it if you're at all inclined- they might have some helpful tips that can help more or help ease your concerns by giving you their perspective. I hope you find a way to enjoy your pregnancy!

 

[Nikki1979]

Thanks for all the replies. I am trying to take it easy and as my hubby says, if something is to happen, it will happen and my worrying won't change anything. I will try the tea. I need all the help I can get

 

[cosmicgirlxxx]

Meditation might help. I've downloaded some lovely guided meditations and listen to them in the bath with some nice candles x

 

[DaisyDreamer]

... you can't live life like that worrying that something bad will happen around every corner and to enjoy every second I can. That really helped me. I still worry but I try to enjoy all the things in my pregnancys. I hope this made sense and helped a little. And I hope you are able to relax and enjoy.

Really think this hits the nail on the head. It's normal to worry of course but overall, try to enjoy everything you can about the pregnancy in this moment.

 

[winterbabies3]

Oh love I feel your pain. I want this baby in my arms and have a constant fear that it's going to be taken away from me. Today I haven't felt her move and I am trying to stay calm. It's so hard tho. The chance of miscarring at this rate is so low and I try to remind myself of that as well. I think I am going to try pregnancy yoga. I found a few things on YouTube and the internet.

 

[xdxxtx]

When I was pregnant with my first baby, I was so terrified the whole time. I spent every single moment of the pregnancy, up until the moment my water broke, terrified and thinking of every possibility out there. To this day, I regret it. I am always so upset when I look back on that pregnancy and how miserable and upset I was the whole time. I was terrified because my mom and sister both had extreme difficulty with pregnancies, and I didn't think I could possibly be any different. It also took me 18 months to conceive, and I was told by numerous doctors I couldn't get pregnant on my own. Surprise!

Knowing how upset I was about my first pregnancy and how it ended with a perfect, healthy baby, when I found out I was (surprise again!!!) pregnant again 8 months later, I promised myself that I would not be miserable again through a pregnancy. I promised myself that no matter what happened, I'd rather know that I gave the baby a healthy and happy home to grow in and gave my future babies the best start I could. And I have kept to that. I've stayed much more positive and push my fears aside throughout pregnancies, and my babies have only been born happier and healthier. Maybe you should make the same promise to your future baby - that you'll just push the fears aside and give that baby all the happiness you can, no matter how much time the two of you have together, which will be the rest of your life! You are very lucky to be in your position, and you don't wanna look back on how upset you were and feel guilty for your baby forever like I've done with mine.

 

[kitchenware]

It is super stressful and no one really understands. Not sure if it's something you would go into but last pregnancy I bought a hypno birthing cd. Obviously the idea is that it helps you stay calm in child birth, but as a bi-product it has lots of calming techniques and relaxation. I'll be honest it really wasn't my thing, I find relaxation techniques especially involving breathing quite freaky ( every time I'm told to focus on my breathing, I feel like I forget how to do it!), However, some of the visualization techniques were quite good and I know a lot of people it really help with...