First trimester anxiety

I am 4 1/2 weeks pregnant, with my first. I am SO excited, as is my husband (this is a planned pregnancy).  But I am also incredibly anxious, since there is always a good chance of miscarriage with a pregnancy this early. So many strange things seem to be going on with my body (bloating, pressure, etc), and every little twinge makes me so nervous that something might be wrong!

How did you mothers/mothers-to-be get through the anxiety of the first trimester?

Nail biting.

Seriously, I worried so much during both pregnancies. I don't know that there's any way to get through it without the anxiety. It's something I imagine I'll have the rest of my life when it comes to my kids.

Sorry, I'm not any help other than letting you know that it's completely normal to feel that way!

The only anxiety I had during the first trimester was the first doctor's visit.  I did not care to see it on an ultrasound, I did not like the sound of it's heart beating, and I certainly didn't like being explored by some strange person.

Instead of thinking, "Oh my, is that a sign of a miscarriage!?"  Try thinking, "Oh, hey, look at that.  Another sign that I'm pregnant."

I agree with bier - coping mechanisms like nail biting, constant posting on forums to make sure all those symptoms are normal.

This too shall pass.  And then you'll be counting movements to make sure the baby is still moving.  And then you'll worry at every snore and snuffle once they're born. 

Welcome to being a worrier  mother!

Like you, I found out super early and I went through this during my 1st trimester. I was so freaked out that I would have to wait 2 months until I was "in the clear". What did help was staying positive and recognizing that there was very little I could do in the event that something happened. I tried to eat healthy, continue to exercise and take time for myself. As corny as it sounds, I tried to create a really nice place for my baby to be. While I know it didn't have much of an effect medically on the outcome I did ease my anxiety.

Good luck and I hope you can enjoy being pregnant for the 1st time. It's a great experience.

Thank you to all who posted. I never expected to be so anxious with a pregnancy (I guess I hadn't realized how common miscarriage is this early). I will take your suggestions to heart!

There's always something to be nervous about! It helps to just remember that everything happens for a reason. It's pretty much out of your control, so just try and trust that everything will work out the way it's supposed to. Most of the weirdness you feel is probably just a normal sign of pregnancy! I had cramps almost the entire time I was pregnant, which freaked me out until I found out it was perfectly normal (pelvis & ligament stretching - very painful). I found out I was pregnant at about 5 weeks, so I also had a long time to worry! Once you hear the heartbeat your risk of miscarriage drops a lot. I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy. In spite of all the discomforts, I miss it.  I hope to have another one sometime!

coming from a woman who experience a miscarriage early in the first trimester, the second time we got pregnant we just played the waiting game. we were excited but cautious. it's tough because the assumption is that it's a chromosonal abnormality when you miscarry that early and completely spontaneous. but they don't see the need to test you for anything until after three consecutive miscarriages. so you just take your prenatals, try not to run around too much, don't lift anything heavy, and, unfortunately for your husband, don't have sex for awhile.

it was a milestone to get passed the week that we miscarried the first time. and, luckily, i haven't had any spotting whatsoever this pregnancy, so that's a load off.

we just waited until the tenth week when we heard the heartbeat and even got to see the little dumpling on the ultrasound. then we got excited and told everyone, and started to really think about the future with a baby in it.

after that, the worry basically went away (although it never really completely does), and now we just do what's best for him/her. i'm five months in and the kicking is really picking up :) 

wait, im not supposed to have sex in the 1st trimester?!

Sex is fine unless you have had complications or previous miscarriages - don't freak!!!!  Actually, just about anything you were doing before, besides boozing or using, is fine during the first trimester, and even the second.

A lot of people don't even realize they are pregnant until halfway through!

I completely understand where you are girl! I'm 4 1/2 weeks now, just found out. My husband and I are very excited, but I find myself being very anxious to get the first 12 weeks over with. What I do to distract myself is to continue my routine (eating healthy, exercising, vitamins, plenty of water) and I started rubbing down with Palmer's Massage Cream for Stretch Marks since I am genetically prone to stretch marks. Also, I'm planning a cute way to make our Pregnancy Announcement. That helps me focus on what a special time this is. Enjoy it!