Pregnant at 19
I look back at this and actually feel a little bit sad for 19 year old me. Having just finished my A-levels, I went travelling for 2 months. I came home and was pregnant within a few months. My friends were out living the 19 year old dream and I was on maternity leave. Waiting for labour to start. For my baby to arrive. Waiting for my life to change with undeniably no idea what was really coming.
I was super overwhelmed…
Nearly full term I went shopping with my Mum only to burst into tears in the middle of M&S as I felt like everyone was looking at me, judging me that I was young and pregnant. I thought everyone knew just by looking at me that I didn’t know what I was doing.
I was a repeat visitor to triage with reduced movements. An awesome, intuitive midwife (Asha ?) must have read the ‘HELP ME’ I had written all over my face. She looked past what I was saying to the anxiety that I was facing.
Long story short, just by her saying, ‘I hear you girl’ made me feel less isolated.
She made me feel less like I was going to be judged for holding my hands up and saying I’m struggling and I don’t have a freaking clue how I’m going to get through this.
I will gladly talk about the struggles that I’ve faced as I hand on heart believe that the large majority who go through pregnancy experience some kind of challenges with anxiety & overwhelm. I’m all for raising awareness that experiencing different emotions at key. Pivotal moments in your life is completely unashamedly acceptable and shouldn’t be something we shy away from.
It’s about acknowledging that sometimes things are incredibly shit or just exceptionally overwhelming, and you don’t feel like you have two feet on the ground. THAT’S OK to talk about.
My Little Corner of the Internet….
My little corner of the internet is for giving you some knowledge, focus, relatable & practical ways to feel more calmer about the whole birth process. This is my way of giving you the help that I would have really loved to have had.
Whether you need to feel more prepared, have some more support to help you or just a good old shoulder to cry on; always know you are not alone in this crazy world that is motherhood.
Click the link for more information about The Bump to Baby Chapter’s Hypnobirthing and Antenatal Online Course. Know what you can do to stack the odds in your favour for the birth that you want. Videos, checklists, audios & a support group all created by a midwife to get you feeling excited, prepared and confident for birth.
