Is it normal to be paranoid about being pregnant

Read more on This Way Up website. Exercise is important during pregnancy, do you know the facts? Read on and learn about pre and post natal exercise as well as important things to consider. Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering. Video call. This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

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What is antenatal anxiety? My PCOS puts me at a higher risk of miscarriage. I have lived with anxiety and OCD since childhood, both of which paradoxically tend to increase when good things happen to me. Pregnancy was my greatest wish, and I was terrified to admit to myself that it was coming true for fear it could be taken from me. I took every pregnancy precaution as gravely serious.

My PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome put me at a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes, so I cut all sugar and junk food from my diet. I ate so obsessively healthy that right after my baby was born, I weighed 15 pounds less than when I had gotten pregnant. I asked the people at the sub shop to use a new knife that to slice my veggie sub in case there was lunchmeat residue on the first one.

If I went more than 2 hours without water, I was sure I would get dehydrated and risk early labor. I worried that skipping a meal or a snack or one prenatal vitamin would prevent my baby from getting enough nutrients.

I once woke up lying on my back and panicked that I had cut off oxygen to my baby. I even stopped petting my cat in case the warning for pregnant women not to clean litter boxes extended to the cat herself. Any twinge in my body sent me messaging everyone I knew who had ever been pregnant to ask if I should be worried. My pregnancy should have been easy.

I had no morning sickness. Physically I felt great. Objectively, my pregnancy was a breeze. Even my doctor told me pregnancy agreed with my body and that I was having a better pregnancy than most. I refused to buy anything for the baby, or allow gifts from anyone, until I was past 30 weeks. I refused to have a baby shower before the baby was born for the same reason. I could not allow myself to acknowledge that this baby was coming and was going to be okay.

I could not relax. Two days before my due date, I gave birth to an absolutely healthy 8-pound baby boy. It was only after he was here and safe that I realized that anxiety had robbed me from enjoying the miracle of my pregnancy. I wished I had spent less time obsessing over precautions and more time reveling in my growing belly. I wanted to go back in time and reassure myself that everything was going to be fine and that it was okay to be happy.

I still ate healthy, avoided lunch meat and soft cheese, and took the normal precautions — but if I wanted an occasional donut, I ate one. I worked until I was full term and engaged in nearly every activity I did before I was pregnant. I still worried, often obsessively.

But despite my anxiety, I allowed myself to enjoy my pregnancy. It's available over the counter, without a doctor's prescription, at pharmacies. If the reason you're worried about pregnancy is because you have been sexually assaulted, there are free, confidential support services who you can talk to about the assault.

You can contact these services at any stage, so you don't have to make the decision to seek counselling or support straight away if you have been assaulted.

However, it is important to seek medical assistance, including emergency contraception, as soon as possible. You can present to your local hospital, although you should be aware that if the hospital is run by a faith-based organisation they may not provide you with emergency contraception. You might be nervous about the result, or worried about what you will do if it comes back positive, but the first step is to take a pregnancy test.

One of the first signs of pregnancy is a missed period, but you might not be sure of when your period is due, or you might not have a regular menstrual cycle. Other symptoms of early pregnancy may include a shorter or lighter period, mood changes, feeling more tired than usual, feeling sick or vomiting, stomach cramps, tender breasts, more frequent urination, and others.

Individual women are different and may experience some or none of these symptoms, so the only way to know is to take a pregnancy test if you are at all concerned you may be pregnant. It is important not to delay if you think you may be pregnant. Whichever option you decide upon, early care is important: if you are thinking about continuing the pregnancy and parenting or adopting, antenatal care and screening is important early in the pregnancy. If you are considering abortion, it's important to remember that abortion is more expensive and more difficult to access after around 12 weeks gestation, and you will want to allow yourself time to make a considered decision without rushing yourself.

Confirming whether or not you are pregnant is the first step. Home pregnancy tests can be bought from supermarkets and pharmacies and involve a simple urine test. The instructions on the packet should be carefully followed. You may like to have someone you trust with you when you take the test for extra support.

These tests are very accurate and you don't need to take several. You don't need a health care card, ID or to be a certain age to buy a pregnancy test. Anyone can buy them, at any time.