Being a little anxious in pregnancy is perfectly normal but here is everything you need to know.
It probably would be impossible to go through a whole nine months, a drastically changing body and thoughts of a painful childbirth without experiencing some stress and worry. With all the changes and adjustments happening in your body and in your life, it’s natural to feel nervous, scared or fearful, and hormonal changes can also make you vulnerable to volatile emotions.
“When anxiety becomes so severe and distressing that you are unable to function normally in your day-to-day life, then it may be that you need to seek help.”According to Dr von Lob, it can often be difficult to diagnose anxiety in expecting mums, because some signs overlap with symptoms of pregnancy, such as changes in concentration, sleep, appetite or energy levels.
There are also physiological and physical signs to watch out for, including heart palpitations, a tight chest, muscle tension, irritability, headaches, an upset tummy, dizziness, feeling faint, excessive sweating, blushing, and rapid, shallow breathing or even panic attacks. “We know that the more we avoid a situation which makes us uncomfortable, the more difficult it becomes to face similar situations in the future,” Dr von Lob says.
“Many pregnant women feel embarrassed or ashamed about having negative thoughts and feelings during pregnancy, or worry that they will be perceived as being an unfit mother, but having anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of and it is not your fault,” says Dr von Lob. “Build up your support networks,” adds Dr von Lob. “Talk to understanding, compassionate partners, friends or family who you know support and love you, who you can be totally honest with and who you know you won’t judge you. You may also wish to seek out groups in your community or supportive online communities.
“You may want to increase your knowledge by reading up on the ins and outs of pregnancy and parenting to help you feel prepared,” advises Dr von Lob.
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