CatLady1
09-12-19, 22:53
(I know there is a subforum dedicated to pregnancy and childbirth, but I feel like this sub is more appropriate for my specific issue)
Wondering if anyone can offer their thoughts on navigating potential pregnancy as a person with health anxiety?
I am 34, almost 35, and am on the cusp of being considered an 'old' first-time mother, although as far as I know I'm in excellent health, fit and active, non-smoker/non-drinker etc. But one of the main reasons I have wavered on the issue of having children is the fact that I've suffered from debilitating anxiety for much of my life. In the last few years (since my father died), that has manifested specifically as health anxiety - you might have seen some of my posts on here. I have made significant progress in getting the worst of my anxiety under control, thanks in part to therapy and SSRIs - but now I am fearful of the health implications of 'late' motherhood.
I know there is an increased risk of breast cancer in women whose first pregnancy happens over the age of 35 (or 30, according to some sources); and I am already considered medium-risk for this, based on family history. I've been BRCA tested after a spate of related cancer deaths on my dad's side of the family, including my dad (aggressive prostate cancer) and an aunt who was diagnosed with BC in her 30s. That came back negative; though apparently the family history is strong enough to warrant my starting screening at 40 instead of 50. I suppose I could go for a private annual screening until I hit 40 and am eligible on the NHS, but it's still something that's triggering my anxieties.
And that's before you get into the actual physical ordeal of pregnancy and childbirth... I don't think I'd die or anything like that, but I do *not* deal well with pain, and the anxious anticipation makes it even worse.
I also worry about how my general anxiety would manifest as a parent, and whether I'd subject a child to the same kind of intensely anxious monitoring I received as a child; but that's maybe a question for another thread and another day.
Also for clarity - I'm happily married and in a stable position to have a child, so that's not an issue.
Wondering if anyone can offer their thoughts on navigating potential pregnancy as a person with health anxiety?
I am 34, almost 35, and am on the cusp of being considered an 'old' first-time mother, although as far as I know I'm in excellent health, fit and active, non-smoker/non-drinker etc. But one of the main reasons I have wavered on the issue of having children is the fact that I've suffered from debilitating anxiety for much of my life. In the last few years (since my father died), that has manifested specifically as health anxiety - you might have seen some of my posts on here. I have made significant progress in getting the worst of my anxiety under control, thanks in part to therapy and SSRIs - but now I am fearful of the health implications of 'late' motherhood.
I know there is an increased risk of breast cancer in women whose first pregnancy happens over the age of 35 (or 30, according to some sources); and I am already considered medium-risk for this, based on family history. I've been BRCA tested after a spate of related cancer deaths on my dad's side of the family, including my dad (aggressive prostate cancer) and an aunt who was diagnosed with BC in her 30s. That came back negative; though apparently the family history is strong enough to warrant my starting screening at 40 instead of 50. I suppose I could go for a private annual screening until I hit 40 and am eligible on the NHS, but it's still something that's triggering my anxieties.
And that's before you get into the actual physical ordeal of pregnancy and childbirth... I don't think I'd die or anything like that, but I do *not* deal well with pain, and the anxious anticipation makes it even worse.
I also worry about how my general anxiety would manifest as a parent, and whether I'd subject a child to the same kind of intensely anxious monitoring I received as a child; but that's maybe a question for another thread and another day.
Also for clarity - I'm happily married and in a stable position to have a child, so that's not an issue.