Irrational Fears - just me?

[Clarabella]

Hi everyone,

I am a newbie mum-to-be and would really love some reassurance that I am normal...!

First of all though, hello to you all - I hope that you are all doing great and look forward to making some new friends.

I am 28 and currently 39 weeks pregnant with bub no. 1 and have had the most amazing pregnancy so far - no morning sickness, no aches/pains or any complaints at all - well not worth mentioning anyway! My problem is that I am terrified for the health of my baby and that there will be something wrong with her. I have absolutely no reason to suspect there will be any problems at all. I had the nuchal trans ultrasound and blood tests which came out at 1:3500 (or thereabouts) risk for downs. I had the 19 weeks scan which again came out perfect, but I am just so scared that my bubba will have downs or some other prob. i guess I am also nervous about the birth and that bub will have the cord caught etc. Don't get me wrong, I will love my baby to death whatever the outcome, but with no family and few friends in Australia its hard to say that I would be able to cope. Perhaps that is why I have this silly fear?

I have read a lot of literature about pregnancy and it is often mentioned that women have these kind of fears towards the end, but I can't help feel that its just me! I am not all consumed by this, but would love to know if anyone else has experienced this or is it just me??!!

Thanks for your answers in advance.

Clara

[Lallas' Mum]

Clara,

You are certainly not alone. I had all of those same fears with both of my children. I was a little less concerned the second time around but still forever running through the "what if's". I think it would be a little less normal not to be concerned about the health and well being of your child.

As for the birth - I believe that knowledge is power. I did a lot of reading prior to the birth of my first child and wrote a birth plan that included the things I wanted to happen and the options I wished to pursue. It is hard to plan because anything can happen. But it is best to stay positive and know that there are medical experts on hand to help every step of the way through your pregnancy, labour and in caring for your bub once it is born.

Good luck to you and I'm sure all will be fine in the end.

Tracey
:) Mum to Alec 19 months and Zak 2 weeks & 4 days

[braydensmum]

Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

Yes it is very normal to worry about those sort of things! From the moment I found out I was pregnant to the moment I held my bubs in my arms I stressed that there would be something wrong or something would go wrong... Nothing anybody said would erase these fears!

I think that it is the start of all the worrying you will soon have as a mother!!
Even though it is very hard, try not to stress to much (easier said then done!)
I wish you all the very best for the rest of your pregnancy and the birth of your bubs!

Regards
Braydensmum

[AM]

It isn't just you.
I think it is probably a completely normal biological instinct, and is just the beginning of the 'Momma Bear' coming out in you, which is going to last your whole life :D
As for the Downs thing, with my last pregnancy, The woman who did the ultrasound told me that they can pretty much tell by looking these days that the child is not Downs by the shape of the nose.
Downs babies have a very flattened nose brow, and she pointed out the prominent nose arch of my baby and said 'no Downs there!'
This was at the 19 week u/s

All the very best for a wonderful l&d

Angie

[mumof2girls]

I think everyone has these feelings and believe me they are only the start of your worrying! :)

I have 2 children who are older and I wory about them constantly, my youngest had a blood disorder when she was a couple of months old and has finally grown out of it at aged 11 and I was worried but you deal with what is dealt to you as you really don't have a choice. When you look and hold them for the first time nothing else will matter.

I'm sure everything is fine and not long now you will be holding your dear precious bundle of joy! :) and no matter what they are always perfect in their parents eyes (even if they have 3 arms haha)

[BJelly]

Hi Clara,

I had those feelings and fears too. It's only natural and I think it's healthy to have these fears as long as they don't overwhelm you and ruin your enjoyment of your pregnancy.

My attitude to my fear was that not only was it normal and healthy, it was good because it gave me the opportunity to make a plan beforehand, so that if there was a problem, I would at least be somewhat prepared.

However, because the risk is small, it doesn't make sense to let it overtake your feelings of anticipation and excitement.

Best of luck with the rest of your pregnancy

[alicesmum]

when i was pregnant i was so worried about the cord around the neck thing, as i read that awful book, "what to expect when you're expecting" which said that if the baby has hiccups a lot it may mean the cord is around her neck alot. anyway, alice had hiccups 10 times a day for the last 3 months (very hard to sleep!!) and i was SO sure she had the cord around her neck because she was also VERY active and hurt me a lot when kicking. I thought, for sure she was getting that cord wrapped around her. Used to make myself sick with worry!
Anyways, she didn't have the cord around her at all when she was born and came out just perfect (scored 9 on the apgar test).

so, yes, i think it's normal to worry as much as you are! sounds like everyone does :p
good luck!