Major anxiety over the state of our house - Normal?

CheezeFace

This is my first pregnancy and while I have been lucky to escape most of the unwanted physical symptoms of early pregnancy, I seem to have developed a bit of an anxiety disorder. 

It started almost the very second that I found out.  I feel like I am in a constant state of freak-out over my house.  While I don't have museum-type-clean home, I have a very nicely kept home.  I mean, there is just me, DH and furry-face (our dog) so there is no reason it should be a mess.  All of a sudden, though, I see disgusting filth everywhere I look.  Dog hair is on EVERY surface.  I've even kicked the dog out of "her" room - her favorite place to lie in the afternoon sun - because it will eventually be the nursery.   What the heck is wrong with me?  I don't have one, single baby item in that room yet.

I'm not normally someone who can't "let go" and I've never really been afraid of germs - I've been known to eat something I've dropped on the floor from time to time - but I am literally thinking about the order of my home and germs constantly. 

This isn't entirely normal, right?

clipingirl

Well it's certainly true that pregnancy can bring about many changes to the body, including those that may be psychological in nature. This being said...I would suspect you're VERY normal!!! As a practicing psychologist...I've had many patients with the same types of anxiety issues (especially when they first come to accept their pregnancies). And, seeing your history of TTC...I wonder if it might be related to the "realness" of the pregnancy and facing the changes that are about to occur in your family home (again, very normal).

It's hard enough to go through our pregnancies and feel 'everything is fine' when it's taken so long to get there. The possibility of anything interfering with that which has taken so long to obtain is frightening and anxiety producing. I know for me, as my pregnancies have continued along, I have felt more comfortable with not just the physical and emotional changes, but the pending fate of my life as related to a new baby. 

I will be thinking of you and your LO. Maybe take time to meditate or distract your mind from the worry that is pregnancy. I find reading helps, or going on walks with my daughters, DH and/or dog. You're making a baby!!! What an amazing, albeit scary, biological miracle! And do keep in mind...babies are amazingly resilient. A little dirt won't hurt...And here's a virtual hug *HUGGGGGS* 

heatherebee

I think you're normal. Anxiety goes through the roof over stuff while pregnant, IMO.  I have worried that our yard isn't fenced in well. How long will it be before baby needs to be in the yard? lol

Just do what you can to address your worries, I also find that I focus on things like the incessant need to "do the nursery" rather then worry about my pregnancy or delivery or my baby.

Hope that helps, just wanted you to know you aren't alone and obviously it matters to you. My dog is a slob with her hair too.

MrsJordanalmond

during my first pregnancy, i had a complete hysterical meltdown the first time i went into BRU ... and i'm a pretty laid back person.  so, yes, it's normal.

i actually found the book "baby bargains" to be my savior whenever i went down a anxiety-induced spiral.

https://www.windsorpeak.com/babybargains/default.html

yes, it's a book about stuff to buy for the baby, but the authors are so down to earth and real that i found it very calming.  they lay out what you really need, what is useful and what is totally optional/silly.   

kimb311

let me tell ya something....my house has never been more organized or clean! and with 3 dogs that is saying something!