Anxiety in pregnancy

Did you expect to feel a certain way during pregnancy? Do you find that your emotional experience hasn't matched how you expected it to be? Often how you expected to feel emotionally during pregnancy might not match the reality. Our experience can often be more complex and nuanced than we might have anticipated. We talk openly about and expect feelings of excitement and joy, but what about anxiety, fear, even sadness? Preparing to become a parent is exciting, but it can also be challenging with many worries. For this reason, it's not uncommon to experience emotional changes, with up to one in five people experiencing anxiety during pregnancy.

Common themes of anxiety during pregnancy might include:

• Worries about the health of your baby.

• Anxiety centred around a high-risk pregnancy.

• Anxiety associated with previous perinatal loss.

• Previous birth trauma or complications.

• Worries around your own physical and mental health.

• Fear of the unknown (if this is your first baby).

• Limited support.

• Financial concerns.

• Identity changes.

• Relationship difficulties.

• Worries about coping with a baby.

• Worries about adjustment and juggling multiple children.

• Concerns about being a single parent.

• Anxiety about your changing body.

• Fear of birth.

• Career concerns.

• Concerns about being a good enough parent.

• The context of covid can be particularly anxiety providing for some pregnant people and their families.

Despite anxiety being so common during pregnancy, many people find talking about this to be challenging—many talk about feeling guilty or ashamed of their emotions. Often emotional changes during pregnancy, such as anxiety, are attributed to hormones and can be minimised or invalidated. If you notice anxiety creeping in or taking over during pregnancy, remember that taking care of your emotional wellbeing is an important part of ensuring a healthy pregnancy.  

But how do I know if what I'm experiencing are 'ordinary anxieties' or if I need some extra support?

Emotional changes during pregnancy are common, and it is normal to have ups and downs. It's important to tune in and listen to how you feel, anxiety makes sense, there are a lot of changes but it might help to wonder;

• Do I feel like I’m coping with my anxiety at the moment?

• Do I feel like anxiety is taking over?

• Is anxiety causing me distress?

• Are negative thoughts and feelings getting in the way of my day to day life?

• Am I feeling anxious or worried most or all of the time?

• Am I having panic attacks or developing obsessive or compulsive behaviours?

• Is anxiety impacting my ability to connect with my baby?

  If you’re not sure, it can also help to check in with those around you who might notice differences in how you're coping.

Anxiety in pregnancy will vary in intensity and severity from person to person, some people may feel better after talking openly with a loved one and be able to develop ways of coping, whilst others may benefit from linking in with a professional. If you are struggling with anxiety during your pregnancy, please know that this is common and is very treatable, seeking treatment early will put you in the best position for navigating postpartum.

If you resonate with this post, reach out to a loved one and/or talk with a trusted professional to discuss a referral to perinatal mental health professional. 

You're not alone, and help is available.