Anxiety as pregnancy progresses?

CreEspree · January 2014

As everyone is approaching or have already made it to the halfway mark.. We should be getting excited and feeling confident about the coming weeks.. Right?
But are any other moms of former preemies just feeling anxious and nervous about the coming weeks? I went to 28 weeks w/ DS and 25 w/ DD.. So while I'm excited to have finally made it halfway.. I can't help but to feel some fear as the next few weeks approach. I'm getting so much more preventative care this time around.. But I'm still so afraid that something is going to go wrong.
Is anyone else feeling this way?

Ladybird2014 · January 2014

No, but I'm praying for you this go round. It's so true we've all made it this far but as we have seen anything can happen. This is my 3rd also ( have carried both 38+ weeks) but I am just praying that I progress normally the next half as well!!!

MegRN2008 · January 2014

No experience with that, but I can totally see why you would be anxious given your history! Sending lots of positive thoughts your way. As you said, you are being monitored closely, so hopefully that gives you some peace of mind. Fingers crossed that you get to cook your baby until 40 weeks

JNerd · January 2014

I don't have any experience with preemies, but I understand increasing anxiety as pregnancy goes on.
Fingers crossed that the rest of the trimester passes Uneventfully for you.

elsa1688 · January 2014

I am feeling more anxiety because everything has been relatively easy. I feel like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. Fx crossed that you have a full term baby!

Mrs_D_in_KY · January 2014

I feel the same way as each week passes. I had my son in my 36th week, but was 2 cm dilated and contracting pretty regularly at 28 weeks. I was on bedrest and anti contraction Meds for 8 weeks.

My OB office now thinks I'm super paranoid when I asked for a cervical length check at 18 weeks. I'm like hello, this whole preterm labor stuff will drive me crazy if it happens again. Especially now that I have a 4 year old.

My advice and way of dealing with this pregnancy has been that I am the best advocate for keeping this baby inside. If I do all these tests and cervical length checks and I carry this LO to full term, then fine.

CreEspree · January 2014

Thanks everyone. I want to enjoy the remainder of the pregnancy.. But feel like I'll be holding my breath until I atleast make it past the 28th week. And even then I'll still be nervous.
I'm praying the remainder of the time is uneventful for not just me.. But for ALL of us. In my perfect world.. We'd all have happy healthy full-term babies.

@Mrs_D_in_KY Exactly. I want nothing more than to carry this baby to term and actually be able to leave the hospital w/ my baby. DH says I'm going to scare the baby out early w/ my paranoia.

hjl050308 · January 2014

I totally understand. I started contractions at 33w3d and delivered at 33w6d for unexplained reasons. I'm doing cervical checks every two weeks and progesterone shots every week and am scared to death to not make it full term again. I had a horrible birth experience (which I still don't talk about) and am petrified of it happening again. I trust my OB and her plans for me, I just need to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy and not freak out every two minutes.

Good luck!

Mrs_D_in_KY · January 2014

CreEspree said:
Thanks everyone. I want to enjoy the remainder of the pregnancy.. But feel like I'll be holding my breath until I atleast make it past the 28th week. And even then I'll still be nervous.
I'm praying the remainder of the time is uneventful for not just me.. But for ALL of us. In my perfect world.. We'd all have happy healthy full-term babies.

@Mrs_D_in_KY Exactly. I want nothing more than to carry this baby to term and actually be able to leave the hospital w/ my baby. DH says I'm going to scare the baby out early w/ my paranoia.

___________________________
I agree 100%. People probably think I'm being an uber bitch this pregnancy but I don't care. Lol. They'll ask do we want a boy or girl? I look right at them and tell them I want a full term baby that won't turn blue and stop breathing in its first few hours of life. They never know how to respond.

I also told DH to back me up no matter what I say because he knows my anxiety level is high with this pregnancy. Because we are honestly both paranoid this pregnancy.

Hopefully what they say that each pregnancy is different holds true. Here's hoping!

FeliciaTwo · January 2014

I'm also feeling a bit nervous. I have a good friend who went into premature labor at 23 weeks and lost the baby. I've already asked my OB about premature labor symptoms b/c I'm so anxious. I'm probably more nervous to hear about my cervix length than anything else at my anatomy ultrasound next week . . . .

FeliciaTwo · January 2014

Actually, I'm curious, CreEspree: what kinds of preventative care are they doing? Is it mostly just monitoring or are they recommending that you do anything in particular?

misscarter87 · January 2014

Lo was born 37wks 2days now since ive had leep done i have to have cervical lengths checkups every 2wks until i reach 24wks so my anxiety level is thru the roof im just praying i can make it to the 38th week this time around..i will be praying for you also

CreEspree · January 2014

@Mrs_D_in_KY This exactly. I want to be able to see and hold my baby after birth. Not have it rushed to the NICU and wait hours to see him/her. DH is also nervous.. But he tries to be the strong one.

@CAMag The best advice I can give from experience.. You are yours and your babies' best advocate. If you feel something is wrong.. Regardless what the doctor says.. Speak up and don't back down. The day I had DD.. The L&D nurses sent me home because the monitor didn't pick up my contractions. They never did a pelvic exam. I didn't stand up for myself.. And was back 2 hours later in full blown labor w/ PPROM. DD's early birth could've been prevented if I had stood up to the nurses. Sorry.. That got a little long.. But yea. Best advocate is YOU.

@FeliciaTwo I'm so sorry to hear that.

I'm currently getting progesterone shots weekly and weekly cervical checks as well. I've also been put on pelvic rest as a precaution. So far all is well.

@misscarter87 I'll be praying for you as well. The uncertainty sucks.. Especially when you know you're at risk.

misscarter87 · January 2014

@CreEspree thanks so much yes it makes me really nervous just keep praying i can carry this lo to full term like my last lo pregnancy

Mrs_D_in_KY · January 2014

Ditto what CreEspree said. If any mom feels the least bit "off" or like something's not right, be the advocate for your unborn child. And yes that might entail being bitchy to medical professionals that think they have all the answers.

I know I had to get pushy with my OBs office about demanding a vaginal ultrasound to check the length of my cervix. They thought I was crazy, but I looked at them and said these pains I'm having were what sent me to triage at 28 weeks and I was already 2 cm dilated. They can call me paranoid, but I call if taking precautions and trying to ease my own fears.

sarahlynnc317 · January 2014

misscarter87 said:
Lo was born 37wks 2days now since ive had leep done i have to have cervical lengths checkups every 2wks until i reach 24wks so my anxiety level is thru the roof im just praying i can make it to the 38th week this time around..i will be praying for you also

I have had 2 leeps in the past 18 months so I am getting cervical checks every 4 weeks. My doctor tried to conserve as much as possible because she knew we wanted kids but it still freaks me out and makes me anxious.

misscarter87 · January 2014

@sarahlynnc317 i will def keep you in my prayers. How far along are you?

CreEspree · January 2014

@Mrs_D_in_KY After I got my BFP my old OB couldn't understand why I didn't want to see him for the pregnancy. Because I felt they weren't proactive enough last time given my history. LOVE the OB I see now. He has mine and my baby's best interest in mind.

@danielle4348 Now THAT is scary. I've never had super strong horrible painful contractions.. But I can feel them enough to know that they are happening. I'm glad you're being monitored more closely this time around. I'm also very sorry about your losses.

sarahlynnc317 · January 2014

@misscarter87 thank you, I am 17 weeks.

CreEspree · January 2014

@sarahlynnc317 I feel silly asking this.. But what exactly is a leep procedure?

LKHoffa · January 2014

I can't believe I will be halfway on Tuesday! I am definitely anxious, so I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. I don't know much about preterm labor, but this definitely has me thinking that I should at least research the signs so I know what to look for!

I am definitely saying a prayer for you though- I don't blame you for being anxious, but hopefully this time will be the longest yet!

misscarter87 · January 2014

@sarahlynnc317 cool congrats we are about 2wks apart im 19 wks

jewels1199 · January 2014

I am right with all you ladies. I developed a really rare form of Pre E called HELLP syndrome at 36w 5 D and made it to 37 weeks to the day. HELLP is really serious and I am SO lucky my Dr was pro active and got DS out ASAP otherwise both of us could have died. The chaos after the birth was as traumatic.

It took us 4 years to decide for #2 and my anxiety level is through the roof. Every pain and twinge I think is the start of liver failure and now after a fall in the snow and then a car accident Im really starting to sink into a deep depression.
Im praying for us all to have healthy full term babies !!!! xoxox

brooklyngirl46 · January 2014

I am super anxious. I keep thinking of how lucky we've been. Thank G-d all tests so far were negative. But with every test I take I can't help but worry that each is the one that will tell us the worst. I dread my anatomy scan on Friday, and then another appt with the genetic counselor. I feel like each appt could be the one that takes this dream away (G-d forbid).

sarahlynnc317 · January 2014

CreEspree said:
@sarahlynnc317 I feel silly asking this.. But what exactly is a leep procedure?

A LEEP is a procedure that they use to remover cancerous and precancerous cells from your cervix. It uses a loop and electrical currents to scrape and cauterize your cervix. It is an alternative to a gone biopsy or the one that they freeze your cervix. You are able to preserve more of your cervix this way.

JujuB22 · January 2014

I had my DD at 32 weeks, so this time around doc is measuring my cervix every 2-3 wks and I am getting weekly progesterone shots. I think I will probably be a nervous wreck around 32 wks, but for now getting that shot in my butt really helps put me at ease. I trust my doctor and that helps too.

I'm really nervous about what its going to be like after 32 weeks and what its like to have a full term baby. I want that more than anything, but I know my 3lb 12 ounce baby really hurt, so I can't imagine having a child 2x that size. Anyways, I completely understand your anxiety, but it sounds like you are doing everything you can, and really that is all you can do. Relax as best you can!

CreEspree · January 2014

Ohh gosh.. I didn't even think about the fact of pushing out a huge baby if I go term. That is a scary thought. The biggest I've pushed out was 2lb8oz. Now I've got terrifying thoughts in my head about going term.
@LoHerrim How are you and LO holding up?
@mrsdbc Will do.

SchoolPsychSteph · January 2014

I'm glad I'm not alone in this. Everything hasbeen fine, but I so nervous something is going to go wrong and little girl won't make it. I don't know why, I'm just cautiously saving receipts for the stuff we buy just in case.

elsa1688 · January 2014

SchoolPsychSteph said:
I'm glad I'm not alone in this. Everything hasbeen fine, but I so nervous something is going to go wrong and little girl won't make it. I don't know why, I'm just cautiously saving receipts for the stuff we buy just in case.

This makes me so sad! I'm praying for you!

CreEspree · January 2014

@SchoolPsychSteph I totally understand that feeling.

DH went and got the crib and swing yesterday w/o telling me and I freaked because I'm so nervous. I haven't gotten anything for LO except a couple of onesies. I'm just too nervous to go all out just yet.

SchoolPsychSteph · January 2014

Thank you for your kind words @elsa1688 and @creEspree. I'm glad I found answers for the bleeding, but it's still nerve wrecking.

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