7 weeks pregnant

Hey, you really shouldn't panic, it's normal and it won't last too long. I was nauseous from about 8 weeks to 15 weeks. And if you say it's for a good cause, it's for your baby that you're feeling sick. And it also gave me a sense of reassurance, I felt more pregnant. It's not pleasant to vomit or feel bad, but in a few months when you have your baby in your arms, you'll forget all of it quickly. I'm almost 22 weeks now, no longer nauseous but have a lot of palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. But when I feel my little boy move, I forget all that. A little more patience, girl, you'll see that those weeks will pass quickly.

Hi Roos,
A lot happens in a woman's body when you're pregnant, and emotionally too. If you have an anxiety disorder, these physical and emotional reactions can increase your anxiety, as you've already mentioned. It can help to talk about this with a professional in this field, or if that's not available in your area, with a POH-GZ (general practice mental health nurse) at your GP. They can think along with you. This is more common than you might think, so don't feel ashamed. Talk about it—it really helps! I don't know where you live, but if you're near Haarlem, Hoofddorp, Amsterdam, or Amstelveen, you can get 1 to 3 free sessions at MamaKits to figure out what you need to feel better.
Strength and success with your next steps,
Madeleine de Vilder

Hi Roos,

I have emetophobia, a fear of vomiting. When I feel nauseous, I completely panic. It controls my whole life and I’ve had therapy for it, but it didn’t help enough. I’ve got two kids now, and I was terribly scared during both pregnancies. With the first one, I was nauseous too. It started even before the NT scan, when I didn’t know I was pregnant yet. And it stopped around week 12. I put together a whole "Nausea First Aid Kit" and that got me through it. It contained Sea Bands (available at ANWB), ginger candies, peppermint tea, pills from the GP (don’t remember the name right now, but I can look it up if you want), chewing gum, and lollipops. I didn’t go anywhere without my little box! Luckily, I didn’t have to vomit.

I immediately mentioned this phobia at my first appointment with the midwife, and they didn’t think it was weird at all. I actually wanted them to know so they could help me at any time. Especially because many women vomit or feel nauseous during labor, which I really couldn’t handle. So, I’d already discussed with the midwife and gynecologist that as soon as my contractions started, I’d get an IV drip with anti-nausea medication. That gave me huge peace of mind, and that way I ended up experiencing the birth as really pleasant.

Hope this helps you a bit, and with some, the nausea already subsides after week 7, so who knows, it might not be too bad..

Hey! Just wanted to reply quickly, it's tough that you're experiencing it this way. I can relate to your story, and I wanted to say that the POH-GGZ really can't do any harm. I went there before and during the start of my pregnancy, and for me, it just felt good to let my heart out there for a bit. I went because of depressive/anxiety symptoms (long story), but anyway, it got worse after my miscarriage in September. So I went there. They have confidentiality, and at one point she wanted to refer me to the maternity clinic because of a possible anxiety disorder, but maybe it's also in my name, I didn't dare to do that either.. I decided to stay with the POH, and after a while it got better, and I have to say it's much better now. Currently not at the POH. I didn't dare to be referred because I was afraid of not being taken seriously, sometimes I read stories that symptoms or complaints about the baby during or after birth are viewed differently because the mother is psychologically stressed, so it's probably in there (I know this doesn't have to happen, but I see it as a possibility). So I decided not to be referred to the maternity clinic, and luckily it wasn't necessary in the end. The POH was very valuable for me, and if needed, I'd just book a new appointment. Sometimes letting your heart out can be nice, talking neutrally with someone and maybe even getting good advice? Anyway, good luck and hopefully your anxiety will subside soon.