Feeling anxious in between Dr. visits

whitney812 · February 2016

We saw the Dr. at 10 weeks and the ultrasound looked great, and the nurse said everything was going as expected, but the next hump to get over was the 11 week marker. Because we didn't have an appointment until 10 weeks, the Dr. wanted to wait off on seeing us until 16 weeks (we decided not to do the optional week 13 testing).

I'm finding myself super anxious, wondering if everything is okay. Nothing has gone wrong (no cramps, blood, etc.), but I just really wish I could have seen the Dr. after the first trimester ended to just feel better. We are almost 14 weeks now. I did notice going from being exhausted to feeling normal - but I've heard thats just kind of how it goes for some people going from 1st to 2nd tri.

I'm a FTM so I know I'm being ultra paranoid, but I'm wondering if anyone else struggled with this and had any tips on how they stayed calm in between visits? Thank you for any advice.

lalalorelai · February 2016

If it makes you feel any better, the doctor probably wouldn't have done anything at the 10 week appointment to actually check out your baby. It likely would have been more of a meet-and-greet type thing where you could ask any questions. If you saw the baby on the u/s and there was a heartbeat, there's not much else your doctor could have told you anyway!

Some women buy a fetal doppler so they can hear the heartbeat at home. I chose not to do this because I think it would just amplify my anxiety, not lessen it. I just have faith in my doctor, my body, and my baby that everything is going great (until I have signs otherwise). The way I look at it, I'm going to be anxious about my baby's well-being until I meet him or her. And then it's just going to be even worse because it's a big scary world out there and a million things can happen to a kid. I just need to learn to deal with it now.

And the lessening symptoms is perfectly normal -- it just means you're lucky!

whitney812 · February 2016

Thanks. You make a good point that I will be anxious the entire pregnancy. lol

whitney812 · February 2016

and yes... the at home heart rate thing is not for me! I would definitely obsess over it..

rvamom90 · February 2016

I'm a FTM as well with the same concerns! We had an appointment at 8 and 12 weeks with out next one scheduled for 16 weeks. I didn't have an ultrasound at 12 so my doctor used a doppler to hear the heartbeat. Like you, I went from having all sorts of symptoms to feeling a lot better which makes me freak out too. When I saw the doctor and relayed my anxiety, she said if I'm ever worried to call and say I'm not feeling well and worried about the baby so I could be seen (lol). She also made me promise not to buy a doppler as that makes anxiety increase.

In all, your fears are completely normal!

tmk0325 · February 2016

I'm glad you posted this because that is exactly how I'm feeling as a FTM too! We saw the nurse at 6w5d just to go thru history and to confirm the pregnancy. Had to wait until last week at 10w5d to actually do our first ultrasound and meet my Ob. Everything went well (found out it's twins), got to see them move and hear their heartbeats. However my next appointment isn't until 14w5d where my doc said it will just be a general appointment, take urine and she will listen for the heartbeat. I had another ultrasound scheduled 10 days later at exactly 16 weeks that they told me to plan for an hour and a half for a comprehensive ultrasound (with two babies the ultrasound takes longer)... I debated buying a fetal Doppler when I thought it was just one in there but now that there is two I'm too scared I won't be able to find both heartbeats! I just keep telling myself everything is good and at this point there is nothing I can do besides pray! Best of luck to you!!

Sonicstef · February 2016

I am not a FTM and I feel the same anxiety. It's totally normal to be worried.

Bubblegum5586 · February 2016

I've felt the same way between appointments too. I just had my 12 week appointment and got to hear the heartbeat on the doppler which was great but I have 8 more weeks until my next ultrasound (first one was at 7 weeks and it was just a blob!). But as PPs have said I think the anxiety will always be there... My mom still worries about me!

kriley602774 · February 2016

STM here and I also get anxious. I had an appt at 7 weeks and all was good. Next appt is tomorrow finally (almost 12 weeks) and I can't wait for to hear that little heart beating again to help me rest assured all is ok! I remember this anxiety the first time around as well, and into the second trimester I found it got better for me. Especially once you can feel movement!

jacmkelley · February 2016

STM and I STILL get anxious. You're just a pregnant momma! And we are kind of in a limbo phase as far as knowing if the baby is ok. We can't feel them much yet! You are fine ☺️ Hang in there.

kiwico14 · February 2016

STM and I second getting anxious. The good news is that the farther into your pregnancy, the more frequent your appointments. Then you'll also have the joy of baby kicks to reassure you.

serah496 · February 2016

Glad to see this board. I am a FTM and definitely having some anxiety issues. First appointment at 10w 1d where we got the heartbeat and the blob ultrasound. Next appointment is at 14w 5d. I am at 13w tomorrow and freaking out because I am suddenly feeling so much more alert and less sore. Strange that I cling to the nausea for reassurance!

JournoGrl23 · February 2016

Right there with all of you. I always feel assured at my appointments and then get really worried waiting for the next. I just had one last week where I got to hear the heartbeat but I'm already worried and I have 3 weeks to wait until my next!

squishy0511 · February 2016

I feel the same way!! I went ahead and got a home Doppler and that has helped ease my anxiety so much. I know they can cause more stress to some, but it really helps me!

MamaKSquared · February 2016

FTM here and it looks like we're on a similar timeline. I had my first appointment at 10w4d. I was SO nervous and convinced that there would be no heartbeat, but we got to hear a healthy one! I'm currently 14w2d and our next appointment is at 16w4d. As long as everything seems to be going well, we won't get our first ultrasound until 18-20 weeks, so I'm super anxious to actually see our LO moving around!

We also opted not to get a doppler because we thought it would lead to more anxiety if we ever had trouble finding the heartbeat. I think all we can really do now is pay attention to our bodies, pray and think positive thoughts.

cait5413 · February 2016

This is totally normal! I had my first appointment and ultrasound around 9 weeks, and then just had my second appt at 14 weeks. I was definitely counting the days! But I feel much better having heard the heartbeat again. It's a tough time because your symptoms tend to get better, but you can't feel the baby yet and you may or may not have a bump. Hang in there!

ang2fetl · February 2016

I feel the same way. We had our first Doppler yesterday with twins at 12w5d. After finding one heartbeat she said it would be hard to tell if they are finding the second and wasn't worried. Of course I've been anxious since. Thinking about just asking for another Sono to ease the worry

tmk0325 · February 2016

@ang2fetl when is your next ultrasound?? I don't have another actual ultrasound (expecting twins too) until 16 weeks! So that's 6 weeks in between the first one and the next one!

ang2fetl · February 2016

@tmk0325 The next sono is at 16 weeks, which is way too long to wait to hear the other heartbeat. So I went ahead and scheduled the NT scan for the 22nd so I can see and hear things sooner. My SIL is a PA and said to call and ask for one, 10 more days to wait is still stressful. We had a MC last time, so it's hard to keep the anxiety low

ShanRum3 · February 2016

This is my 4th pregnancy, (my second was a mc at 8 weeks) I'm a nervous wreck! We heard the heartbeat on doppler at 11 weeks, and had an ultrasound at 12W1D, where we got to see baby swimming around and waving his/her arm, which was reassuring, but I still Worry, and ordered a Doppler yesterday for peace of mind. I go in for another ultrasound on the 24th, where I'll be 15W3D, and then another regular OB appointment on March 3rd, but it's those in between times that give me time to worry, and like a PP said, it's odd, that we cling to the nausea as a sign that things are good, and then when it subsides, as it often does by this point, we start to get more nervous! Just know that you are not alone!!!

lblu43 · February 2016

Right there with you ladies! Have an appt next wk, but I'm pretty sure no more ultrasounds til 19wks. I'm 15 today. It's hard especially with the wierd/scary dreams.

tmk0325 · February 2016

Is anyone else out there feeling pretty good for the most part? I'm 13 weeks, rarely nauseous, and besides my sinus issues, insomnia, and occasional boobs being sore I feel pretty darn good and I'm expecting twins... I think because of that it is really adding to my anxiety. I don't have an appointment until March 1 and it can't come fast enough!

whitney812 · February 2016

I felt pretty good my entire 1st tri! I got sick just twice.. the main thing that ruined me was how I tired I was, but I consider myself lucky with how many stories I've heard of my friends being sick all the time! When I got to 2nd tri it was seriously what felt like overnight my tiredness went away and now I feel like a "normal" person with just soreness in my boobs. I think thats what gives me so much anxiety even though I've been assured from plenty its just what happens. I can't wait for my appointment Wednesday!

Wylies · February 2016

FTM here at 17 weeks. I had your same concerns so I gave into buying a fetal doppler....if anything it helped my anxiety SO much, because if I ever have any concerns I just use it instead of waiting weeks between appointments. I bought mine for around $80 on Amazon Prime, however they also have ones you can rent for around $20-30 a month. (A least until you can feel kicks!) Kind of expensive but the peace of mind was totally worth it for me. I had to play around with it the first time i used it to find the heartbeat, but after a few times you'll get it down. I got the Contec Pocket Fetal Doppler, but there's other great ones online just make sure to read reviews before you buy. Anyways, this is what worked for me. Good luck with everything!

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