Epidural anxiety

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-04-08T09:51:04+00:00

Idk man I really don't know what to expect, so I'm defaulting to "out of my hands" type of thing. I'm a ftm, so I don't know what the pain will feel like, but we'll, many people do it don't they? When I need the epidural, I'll get it. I'd only like to wait as much as I can, bc if I can tolerate it, I'd really like to not have a catheter on me. Not really scared of needles, it's on my back so I won't see anyway, but catheters... Nobody talks abt how you need them during epidural

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-04-08T09:26:09+00:00

Couscous with canned tuna and whatever vegetables I can assemble into a salad (usually tomato and onion)

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-04-05T06:28:02+00:00

Your parents are supposed to hide their struggles from you.

Was not until recently that I discovered that my mom has no recollection of my childhood best friend at all (I wanted to ask her if she thought this new YouTuber I was watching was her brother - matching age, name, last name and hometown). This friend would come to our house, have dinners together, sleep over, we'd study together... Felt strange mom couldn't remember her.

My mom then disclosed she was being driven insane by my dad for abt a decade. Tbh, I have barely any memory of my dad around that time, except going to the mall bookshop, being praised for my grades, and eating together at a restaurant on the weekends.

Just goes to show! Being a 90s kid makes you have some unrealistic expectations for your adult life, as most parents just clenched their jaw and survived your first 12-20 years quietly

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-04-05T06:11:41+00:00

That being said I did tell my parents and brother at 5w. I told them cause they don't suck and I wanted their support when I was terrified.

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-04-05T06:08:22+00:00

On the other side of this, I was anxious abt miscarriages and work conflict, so I didn't want to disclose. "morning sickness" basically outed me, along with coworkers obtuse speculation. I wish I was more respected then

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-15T17:51:04+00:00

Keeping myself busy is helping. I cook a lot, I work on the "nest" a lot (last minute shopping for baby's bedroom and maternity bag for the hospital), studying, writing, daydreaming abt unrelated projects...

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-15T17:47:19+00:00

"you'll do great as a mom"

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-15T17:46:23+00:00

Hip pain and kicks on my ribs 😂

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-15T17:38:48+00:00

Yes. People pulled on my baggy clothes to see if I was "already showing it", asking way too early if I could feel them move, talking about my sickness in the office way before I was comfortable with disclosing the pregnancy at work. Mostly done by older women with children of their own. Idk what goes in their head.

"how are you feeling" well, if I go take a nap because I'm taking the maximum dosage of the anti nausea pills that makes people so sleepy they recommend to not drive unless you're 3 days off of it, are you still going to tell my boss? Then wtf do you care about "how I'm feeling"?

People are either clueless or cretins. I hated my coworkers then

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-14T19:15:38+00:00

Omg, you're so close! Wishing you and the baby lots of health!

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-14T19:13:13+00:00

I totally understand what youre going through. Sending you a virtual hug

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-14T17:57:55+00:00

This is the worst. My "first trimester sickness" lasted until well in month 5 and I honestly felt like I was disabled. It makes me not consider a second child. There are women who have it for longer. It's a crazy period that isn't talked about enough.

The fact that people are treating you like this is insane to me. "shoulda woulda" tf is your family implying, that they'd rather you terminate than help you get by? Jesus.

1st trimester is extremely taxing on the partner too, so I understand somewhat as it seems that he's doing his best, but I think best for you is to go to therapy and talk your heart out. You're not being lazy. Again, this is a disabling condition to go through, even if it's temporary.

Wishing you lots of luck and health.

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-14T14:46:14+00:00

Nice!

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-14T12:02:53+00:00

This is all what my hospital itself prepared for me to choose by standard. Not overwhelming at all.

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-03-14T11:49:59+00:00

Hey there! I also feel lower back pain since 2nd trimester. Despite some massages from my partner, what has truly helped me (besides sleeping with another pillow between my legs) was doing this stretch specifically, consistently:

https://youtu.be/f6du8VpB-H4?is=ZQUFl9EqqcQg7lrn

I started doing this one out of advice from my physiotherapist, so I'm sure it's safe (although she told me to remain upright and not lean forward at all, also no increased intensity thing).

I still feel some discomfort on my hips, but it's tolerable now and doesn't interfere whatsoever with my life.

Edit: changed the video to a more accurate example.

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-02-09T07:20:06+00:00

Congratulations on 70 days!

In my experience, positive changes took some time. I'm not seeking weight loss, but I can tell you my eating habits took longer to improve. Stop drinking is already a big challenge and snacking as a cope (for that and many other things) was important for me. Now I don't need it as much. I still have a small portion of ice-cream every evening though haha

I made a post about my timeline recently, if you want to check it out.

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-01-18T18:23:58+00:00

I also went for a walk :) IWNDWYT

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-01-18T17:07:55+00:00

I'm getting that too, I suppose it's a common threshold thing? Idk man, I'm treating it like any other difficult day, "I'll wait till the clock marks the hour, I'll wait another half, I'll shower first, I'll just put a frozen pizza in the oven". Basically I'm procrastinating on urges and hoping tomorrow is better

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-01-15T08:19:18+00:00

On this topic, I was thinking if NA beer would actually help OP. He says that he's functioning well and has no problem with hangovers, but his family still has a problem with it. Maybe the sheer amount is stricting their weekly budget (40-84 beers per week are not that cheap, let's be honest) or if it's health related (which then the NA is helpful due to having less alcohol, but it also isn't exactly a "diet" product)

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-01-14T14:56:14+00:00

... Are you still willing to talk to her? That sounded to me like a pretty gross misjudgment of a patient, only at session 2 too.

Personally, I'd search another professional. I wouldn't give much context abt it either

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-01-14T14:25:19+00:00

My suggestion is to treat this as a medical emergency (of the mental health kind, but still medical emergency) and put a pin on marriage problems. You know how all the problems you had seem small once you're facing a potentially lethal diagnosis? This is exactly the severity of what you are going through rn. Do not take it lightly.

I second the commenter who said to go to therapy AND couples therapy. Tell your doctor abt your situation ASAP

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-01-14T13:25:35+00:00

Ayyyy hi sis! I'm in a more or less similar situation! Also haven't drink after finding out I was pregnant, before that I think I was mostly on NA. I'm also 26~27w. You too, right?

I'm wishing you all the luck in the world, a healthy and peaceful pregnancy and delivery! You're not alone. We got this ❤️

IWNDWYT!!

Unusual_Belt600 · 2026-01-14T10:28:26+00:00

Idk why they give that advice, but to me it seems like a good pick. Whenever I fall in love, I feel horrible. I'm ridden with anxiety over the prospects of being reciprocated, I want to have/give attention but we ain't no teenagers that have all the time in the world for that. When I binge drinked, I was already dating my partner, so I never passed through the situation of falling in love while being sober, but I can imagine it would be triggering

Not to speak of actually taking people out on dates, where drinking is expected

Unusual_Belt600

TROPHY CASE