health Anxiety in Pregnancy at an all time high!

[Rimmsy]

I am currently pregnant with my second child and noticed that since finding out I’m pregnant my health anxiety has bent though the roof. Particularly worrying about the health of my current child.

I took her for a blood test a couple of weeks ago. Whilst there, 2 phlebotomists were taking her blood as she is only a toddler. Whilst prepping I noticed the nurse didn’t have gloves, so I told her to please put gloves on as I’m extra health conscious with these things. She did that. And she wiped my daughter’s arm with an antiseptic wipe. The other nurse didn’t have gloves and felt my daughter’s arm for a vein. I assumed they would wipe her arm again because the other nurse was bare handed but instead they just sprayed with numbing spray and then proceeded to insert the needle for the blood draw. I tried not to overthink but since then I literally can’t sleep! Worrying about whether the nurse that touched her arm could have spread any infections like hepatitis or HIV. I know that is not even an option because no blood was transferred from his finger to her arm from when he checked for a vein and I checked thoroughly after but my health anxiety is still scaring me with what ifs! I have booked to see a counseller because I need to rid myself of these health anxiety’s especially as I am currently pregnant and it’s terrible. Some reassurance would be great in how I stop playing worst case scenarios in my mind especially one’s that I know are not an issue. Please help with advice. Thanks,

[designguy]

I think some fear about what is going on for you is normal but health anxiety can be about a maladaptive belief and need for control. You may also have some OCD which is common with HA. You might check out the youtubes and websites of Paige Pradko and also Mathew Codde at Restored Minds, they are both therapist who had health anxiety and OCD, have helaed themselves and now help others.

[Rimmsy in reply to designguy]

Thank you so much! I am seeing a counsellor next week by Gods Grace to finally get control of this! And I have already started checking out those YouTube channels, they’re really helpful! I appreciate your reply.

[designguy in reply to Rimmsy]

You're welcome, sounds like you are making good progress. Learning and knowing what is really going on makes a big difference. One other thing that helped me was learning that our brain is hardwired to produce negative thoughts to supposedly protect us but now that we are adults it becomes maladaptive and we don't need that kind of protection anymore so learning and practicing to never believe our negative thoughts and just ignore them is the key.