So I'm 4w4d today and my anxiety is already getting the best of me. I'm an extreme over thinker already, but having had a miscarriage already this year, as well as a small spotting incident with this pregnancy, I'm not handling the anxiety well. Does anyone have any tips for reducing early pregnancy anxiety?
Exercise is the obvious one to me, but I spot if I run or do cardio videos, so that would have to be low impact. Can't really think of any other ideas though!
honeydew / 7235 posts
do you like low-impact yoga? like a very calming one? also, not sure if acupuncture is OK in early pregnancy, but I have used it in the past for managing stress/anxiety.
Another thing would be to maybe take some time each day to meditate? get a book or dvd and just try to breathe --- not sure if you're into that kind of thing!
one last suggestion would be distraction! Do you play any instruments? when I was stressing about TTC I started taking guitar lessons and practicing playing and it helped SO MUCH.
pear / 1743 posts
I second the meditation - I know that it can sound a little kooky but it really helped me. I used Marconi Union's "Weightless" on my MP3 player to help me.
Gentle strolls out in nature also helped me to destress, as did accepting my feelings and then letting them go.
coconut / 8861 posts
Stay off of Dr. Google and call the doc when things seem off. Make them earn their money for you.
grapefruit / 4311 posts
@hellobeeboston: @SweetMamaM: I definitely fall into the meditation feels kooky camp, but it sounds like its worth a shot!!
@cascademom: trying my best to avoid Dr. Google!!! Only about 50% successful 
coconut / 8861 posts
@runnerd: I was horrible at it and probably will be again. Calls to the doctor/nurse helped. I really like my doctor's nurse. She was super cool when first timers aren't.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
Circle and bloom has a relaxation/meditation cd specifically for pregnant women. Maybe it might help. Oh, I posted a 15% promo code on here for the program.
I am using the IUI one now but I would buy the pregnancy one to keep my stress down when I get KU.
Found a link to C&B pregnancy program. http://www.circlebloom.com/get-started/pregnancy-program/
Oh, the code is Friend15 for 15% off.
nectarine / 2834 posts
Staying offline and keeping myself busy. Reminding myself that "I am pregnant today" and taking one day at a time. Just taking care of myself and trusting my body to do what it is supposed to do. And if that meant a loss, there was nothing I could do to prevent it.
cantaloupe / 6017 posts
walks in the woods, try a prenatal yoga class, maybe consider seeing a therapist? I haven't experienced pregnancy loss personally, but I was still an anxious mess for a variety of reasons my whole pregnancy and needed to see a therapist throughout to keep it under control.
cantaloupe / 6869 posts
I really think yoga will help! I started doing it and in the beginning felt a bit silly, but it really does calm you and allow you to shut off your fears and focus on your body, mind, and soul. I'm sure that sounds really hokey but I think it can only help!
nectarine / 2134 posts
@runnerd: Hugs 
I'm not great at managing anxiety--I was a nervous wreck for the last half of the week waiting for betas (now too scared to call). Anywhoo, yoga/Pilates really helps me manage anxiety in general. Also spending time w DH and the pup on the weekend going for walks, doing yardwork,etc. I'll also probably go shopping this weekend and maybe go for a mani/pedi. Oh and also baking. So I guess just generally trying to keep busy!
persimmon / 1135 posts
therapy and acupuncture for me help me with any type of stress (and i am always stressing about something!)
grapefruit / 4213 posts
I don't have any advice but I had to say HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you girl!
coconut / 8472 posts
What kept me calm was a doppler DH surprised me with around 6 weeks. Some people think it can cause more anxiety, but mine made me feel better. I used it once a week or so, and I always went into it reminding myself that *not* finding the heartbeat didn't mean anything. Sometimes baby was hard to find and that didn't mean he wasn't ok. But the majority of the time I found him (though I had to press super hard sometimes and would only have him for a minute or 2).
coffee bean / 36 posts
I'm not the best person to ask about this, since I've been pretty worried and anxious lately. My husband has been so optimistic and positive, so I've turned to him multiple times. Also, distraction! Staying busy and not having time to think and google seems to help. Congrats, and try to take it day by day
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I never was successful at this and was anxious most of my pregnancy. But I had a totally healthy baby. So my advice is don't get yourself MORE worked up by stressing about how stressed you are.
pomelo / 5073 posts
What helped me was reminding myself that this pregnancy was not my previous pregnancy. One had no effect on the other. I also reminded myself that there are millions of people who are pregnant and never worry, never think that anything will happen to them. So I would ask myself, why did I automatically assume it will happen to me? Especially, again. Congrats!!!!!
blogger / honeydew / 7081 posts
Journaling and blogging helped me greatly. Also, like @jennimac said, reminding yourself that you are pregnant TODAY, and each day means you're that much closer to baby.
That being said, I don't think the anxiety ever really goes away, especially after dealing with MCs and IF.
All the best to you. You deserve this!
cherry / 132 posts
one thing that helped me was to just be mindful of my thoughts. I think the over worrying can make you worried your worrying too much and then your stressing yourself out etc. My therapist taught me to not give to much value to my fears. Acknowledge them and move on. The simple act of just telling myself I'm worrying now or I am afraid seemed to stop the endless cycle of worry. I guess it took away its power. Hope that helps. Also the idea that no matter how much I worried it would not change the outcome of my pregnancy either way. The reminder that I really didn't have any control helped too.
apricot / 444 posts
I was insanely worried, but acupuncture helped, and I wish I had gone back to therapy.
I also had a friend whom I could call who would tell me the statistical likelihood of things going well for me at whatever point of my pregnancy it was in. It was very reassuring.
papaya / 10343 posts
I think not worrying is SO hard. I think the first week or two that I was pregnant were the most stressful of my whole life. What made me feel the best was talking to someone about how excited I was to be pregnant. I think part of my anxiety was realizing I wanted this SO BAD already and that if I lost it I was worried no one would understand how upset I'd be because it was "so early." Letting myself get excited, and talk to my mom and close friends about being excited, helped me at least feel like I was putting it out there that I wanted this and it was a really big deal.
Also sometimes I'd think about all the really stupid people who got pregnant and did all the wrong stuff and went on to have healthy babies... so why not me too? (sorry that is horrible but I'm just being honest here.. haha).
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