Early on and worried about all kinds of things

[janine]

I'm pregnanat with #2, and you'd think the second time around I'd be more assured. I have so many worries though - hoping some of you can relate. Other than DH no one knows as I'm only 5 weeks. Here's what keeps me up at night and distracted all day at work:

1) Prenatals/Folic Acid: I'm very upset with myself but did not start taking these until I found out I was pg at 4 weeks (which is 2 weeks for the fetus). I had an ok diet, but who knows if it was balanced enough. We eat a lot of whole grains in our house (with a toddler) and apparently that is not enriched.

2) Lack of symptoms: now I had very few the first time around but now I have zero! No tenderness, no frequent urination, nothing. It's disconcerting.

3) Age: I'm 38! Now I know all these celebs pull it off all the time, but I'm worried and therefore am considering an amnio once the time comes (I guess to also alleviate my concerns about #1). This means I can't really tell anyone until that point passes which is at least 10 wks away. That's a lot of time to be worrying!

Thanks for listening..it feels good to get it out .

[BabyBearsMom]

I'm pregnanat with #2, and you'd think the second time around I'd be more assured. I have so many worries though - hoping some of you can relate. Other than DH no one knows as I'm only 5 weeks. Here's what keeps me up at night and distracted all day at work:

1) Prenatals/Folic Acid: I'm very upset with myself but did not start taking these until I found out I was pg at 4 weeks (which is 2 weeks for the fetus). I had an ok diet, but who knows if it was balanced enough. We eat a lot of whole grains in our house (with a toddler) and apparently that is not enriched.

2) Lack of symptoms: now I had very few the first time around but now I have zero! No tenderness, no frequent urination, nothing. It's disconcerting.

3) Age: I'm 38! Now I know all these celebs pull it off all the time, but I'm worried and therefore am considering an amnio once the time comes (I guess to also alleviate my concerns about #1). This means I can't really tell anyone until that point passes which is at least 10 wks away. That's a lot of time to be worrying!

Thanks for listening..it feels good to get it out .

Being nervous is normal. I freaked out all the time when I was pg with DD. I think it is the hormones that make you a little on edge.

1) Don't worry about 4 weeks without extra vitamins. Now you are taking them and that is what is important. You can only do the best you can and 4 weeks without vitamins is not going to make that big of a difference. Think about it like this, you took vitamins for 90% of your pregnancy. 90% is a lot!
2) At 5 weeks, I had no symptoms. It wasn't until I hit 8 weeks that I even felt sore breasts. At 5 weeks your hormones are just ramping up, give it a couple more weeks and you will probably start to feel something. Plus, all your worrying could very well be a symptom!
3) My doctor says that with modern technology the old 35=old isn't as valid (she is a "geriatrice pregnancy" specialist). There are certainly some increased risks that come with age, but 38 is still a perfectly viable age. I know lots of women who have had perfectly healthy children in their 40s. You can certainly do an amnio if it alleviates some of your worries.

Try to relax and think some happy thoughts.

[janine]

Thanks babybear, you're very sweet! With #1 concern though I'm now aware that the neural tube is closed at 28 days, so it is kind of late to start at 4wks, but then of course the rest of Trimester 1 is also critical as well. I just am disappointed in myself because I should have known better and I will be worried until I see some kind testing reassuring me!

I'm slightly less worried about age except for the fact that I think I will need an amnio and that makes the next 10 wks of waiting kind of a double edged sword - can't really enjoy it yet.. KWIM.

I do have a dr. appt next week (seems soon at 6wks but they tell me they can do an u/s) so will know if things are viable. I forgot how wrought with worry early pregnancy is!!

[BabbyO]

I wouldn't worry too much. With DS I didn't take prenatals until 7 or 8 weeks along, and I had an evening where I partook of a bit more alcohol than usual, and I went to Six Flags and rode all those rides they tell you not to ride when PG....I didn't know I was pg.

DS is fine, he crawled early, walked a little later, and at 18 mo, everywhere we go people comment on how advanced his speech is.

Its always best to take the prenatals right away...but I think of it this way...women have been having babies a lot longer without prenatals than with, I'm sure your LO will be ok!

I didn't have symptoms until about 8 or 9 weeks with my last pg...each is different. I *wish* I weren't having all the symptoms I'm having this time...they've been brutal!

Age...is about state of mind and your overall health. I'm CERTAIN that there are 35+ yr old women that have much lower risk pg's than younger women because of their daily habits. I know there are some issues with age that can't be entirely ignored...so just take care of yourself the best you can, and you will inturn take care of that little bean the best you can!

BTW, I don't think you're crazy...we all worry...its a lot of responsibility growing a life!

[ewpmsw]

Lots of good answers already, so I'll just say congrats and best wishes.

[MommyAllison]

I agree with everyone else - so many people end up pregnant without taking prenatals, or are too nauseous to keep prenatals down, etc. Your likelihood of having a healthy baby is waaaaaaaaaay high. My pregnancy symptoms never started until 6+ weeks either. Congratulations! I hope the time before your testing flies by!

[janine]

Thank you everyone! I had my first dr. appt yesterday and they did see a heartbeat, but she said it looked a bit small and to come back in 2 wks. I'm hoping it's small because it was only 5wk and 6 days! If I remember correctly the u/s machine calculates due date by size? In that case the due date was in line with my first day of last period calcuation, so hoping all is good.
A bit more worrying was the fact that I spotted red last night but seems to be gone now. I hope it's from the internal u/s. Spotting I expected, just not red.

My dr. was not concerned about the late start in vitamins, but I imagine she wouldn't say anything else. I found out the tube closes at 4wks fetus age, so that is 6wks pregnancy time - so at least I got a good dose of the folic acid for 2 wks . I was given all the info on amnio, etc. due to my age. She gave me a name of a clinic that could do it at 15 weeks, eek.

I'm excited to be here and appreciate the support. Early pregnancy is such an unsure time!

[KLD313]

Yay! Glad everything seems well so far. I didn't have folic acid at the very beginning either and I had to go back for a second US because the dates were off. I wouldn't worry. I'm old too and my baby turned out fine.

[soontobe]

just so you know-whole grains naturally contain lots of folic acid! The reason that white flour is enriched is because they took out all the good stuff (including folic acid) to make it white so they had to put the artificial stuff back in so no worries about the folic acid, I'm sure you got plenty

[MizMojoLaveau]

OP, did you consider having the nuchal translucency (NT) testing to determine odds of genetic abnormalities prior to deciding on an amnio? I just had the NT testing done (done btwn 11-13 weeks) and it was not invasive--just 2 blood tests paired with an ultrasound. I am told that I will get 90% accurate results that can help me decide if I want to go on with an amnio. Just a thought since the amnio might be very stressful.