How do you cope?

Question

Please understand, I’m not trying to be insensitive.
I LOVE this app. As a FTM, there have been so many questions that I’ve had about what’s normal/what’s going on/etc. so the app has been super helpful and I’ve felt supported for the most part.
But at almost 32 weeks, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts about stillbirth and babies dying for different reasons in the last few weeks. I have GAD and Panic Disorder...so I’m trying to figure out how to balance the helpfulness of the app and it’s damage to my mentality.
I’m so happy to be pregnant with this baby girl, but now I’m mentally back to the first trimester when I was too scared to get excited. Does anyone have advice? Please no sarcasm....I’m legitimately trying to figure this out. 
Thanks!

Answer

Maybe we could ask the admins of the app to create a filter for these types of post? In other words hide them or move them to a group so they aren’t seen by people that would rather not come across them? 
It’s true that it’s not helpful to read them when you are trying to remain positive about your pregnancy.

Answer

I think you should talk to your OB about your anxiety/mental health. It is important to keep that in check. Best of luck.

Answer

As someone who also lives with anxiety, I recommend working on the root cause with your doctor and/or a counselor. ❤️ It's important to protect yourself from certain triggers, but the true struggle involves your precious mental health and not this app. Don't be afraid to seek the help you need, you are worth it!!

Answer

I get your point of view, but as an angel mom we have every right to talk about our babies like everyone else. People don’t like to talk about stillbirth, and I think everyone should be more aware and educated on it. It happens and I hope none of you have to ever go through it. It’s good to get educated on things like that cause unfortunately lots of us have gone through it and sadly it’s not just going to go away. 
I’m pregnant again and due in May and I’m so scared of going through the same thing again. My nerves and anxiety are through the roof, but now I’m more aware of things I have to look for.

Answer

Based on this post, I'd say the downsides far outweigh the benefits you get from the social media aspect--groups, reading posts, etc--of this app. If posts like you mentioned trigger bad anxiety or other negatives to the point that you can't scroll past or soothe/dismiss worries, then this isn't a great environment for you right now. There may be some moms within this group who share the same struggle with you and would be willing to communicate with you outside the app, or even through the app message system so you can avoid viewing posts and groups entirely but still find some support here. I don't see any way Glow could change this for you. Even filtering would require changes as well as admin constantly watching for posts about losses, and that's just a bad priority over dangers they need to monitor. But even moreso, there isn't a change they could implement that wouldn't isolate moms experiencing a loss. Those who have left this group due to a loss and chose to post, still left with well wishes for those still pregnant. Whatever the pregnancy journey, everyone needs support. You (and others) just might need a form that's more sensitive to your coping abilities; doesn't mean anything bad about you. All social media just requires taking the worst news right alongside the best, and there's nothing wrong with avoiding it all, or at the very least taking a break from it during a sensitive time for you.

Answer

I am kind of feeling the same way and was considering deleting this app... if you would like to message me we can connect on Facebook and follow each other’s journeys there 😊

Answer

I'm 31 weeks and feeling the same. I'm overly paranoid and afraid now. I have anxiety anyway but now its through the roof.

Answer

Maybe you should leave the groups that are making you feel anxious. 
So far the May 2019 has being very helpful for me.

Answer

I try not to focus on it. I know that if they are grieving they aren't thinking straight and it may not occur to them that it triggers other people. I try to be understanding because losing a child is an unimaginable pain and then I go check my babe's heartbeat and am grateful he's still hanging in there. I have had only early miscarriages but never a stillborn...and my heart breaks for those who have stillborn babies or little ones born too early to make it.

Answer

I feel the same way. It only takes one post talking about their awful, traumatic loss or birth story to never leave my mind. I just try to remember that it’s all out of my control and statistically it’s very unlikely.

How do you cope?

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