It feels like it has been forever since I’ve posted. I’m now 22 weeks, and I’ve had some good stretches. Overall I have felt better in the second trimester: more energy, less nausea; I’ve even had increased libido, which has been super fun. But I’ve also had a couple of brain boiling headaches (having one today), and the past week I’ve had more gas than I’ve ever had before, which, considering that I have IBS and gastroparesis, is saying a lot.
What I really want to talk about here is anxiety. I’ve had days, even weeks, when I felt calm and assured. I am, on a deep level, positive that this is my son, that this has always been my son, and that I will hold him safely in my arms this fall. And yet there are times when a crushing wave of fear breaks over me: what if I am wrong?
People keep telling me that this is normal. That every pregnant woman feels this way. And I think to some degree they do. But I also believe that those of us who have been through infertility, who have experienced multiple failed cycles and multiple pregnancy losses, have a harder time embracing the hope and joy on this part of the journey. It’s a real struggle to believe that success is possible.
While my husband and I were public with friends and family about the fact that we were doing IVF, and while we shared each step of that process, including sharing the news of pregnancies right away, we have been much more private about this pregnancy. I’m not posting weekly bump pictures on Facebook. I’m not sharing ultrasound photos. We did share the gender, but not until two months after we found out.
I’m struggling with buying things for the nursery. Last weekend we bought a minivan (we have a big dog), and I about hyperventilated. Is it too soon for this? I am somehow convinced that we will jinx this if we go all out. I’m terrified that we will end up with a big empty house, a big empty car, and a big empty nursery.
I thought that feeling fetal movement would alleviate some of this fear. Turns out it only adds to it! I’m not feeling movements regularly yet, which is terrifying. Yesterday he was bebopin’ and scattin’ all over the place. Today, not so much.
I don’t really know where I’m going with this post. I guess I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here and that I’m just trying to experience all the highs and lows and twists and turns of the ride.
My Post-Conceived Life 
My goodness, word for word, I could have written this post. I’m 19.5 weeks, have no plans to post pictures on Facebook, have “brain boiling” headaches (a little caffeine and food helps me, btw — having given up caffeine last August!), and know quite a bit about the anxiety that will suddenly strike out of the blue.
Is it too soon? In my current state of calm I can tell you, no, I don’t think so. Let us affirm that all will be well with our babies, our pregnancies, and our deliveries. Is it scary? Abso-blimmin-lutely.
So, no real words of wisdom, more an affirmation that I know how this feels and you, we, are not alone. Xo
Congrats!!! And thanks 🙂
I found my anxiety to be at the highest between 19 and 26 weeks. 19 weeks when the attachment and mama bear love hit me like a ton of bricks… And then because I was scared something would go wrong. Hang in there, considering all you’ve been through, you are doing very well!! Xox
Thanks lady! Hopefully another wave of calm rolls in soon. It sure helps when the little guy is active.
Thank you for sharing this. This is my first pregnancy, which we achieved without intervention, and I still feel some of that anxiety you describe here. I can’t imagine how much it would be compounded by past heartaches and difficulties, which I’m sure still feel very raw at times. It’s a gift to have this online community where we can connect about our different and yet similar journeys.