Pregnancy and Anxiety Disorders: What You Should Know

Regardless of how happy you are that you are going to have a baby, you are probably going to experience times that you will have some anxiety and possibly even fear.

On occasion, excessive amounts of anxiety can lead to physical symptoms. You might experience a racing heart, an upset stomach, headaches, loose bowels, and skin irritations.

Here is a discussion of some of the fears you might have when you are pregnant.

Anxiety About the Infant

The majority of pregnant women report that they are the most anxious about the baby. You could be concerned that your baby might not be healthy, or that he or she could die in utero or after delivery. If you smoked cigarettes or drank alcohol before you knew you were expecting, you could be worried about what those activities might have done to the baby. You could even be concerned that you are not going to love your baby, particularly if he or she was not conceived in a manner you wanted. Certainly, these worries are scary, but they are also normal.

Certain women might also be worried about their baby’s gender, particularly if you are hoping for one over the other. You could be worried that your baby will or will not have your looks, particularly if you do not want your baby to have a specific characteristic that you or a family member has. These concerns might seem petty, but they really are quite important.

You might find it difficult to tell people about your fears. As such, you might instead get nightmares. Just because you dream about a certain event does not indicate it will come to pass. Your brain is simply trying to cope with your anxiety.

Even though stats are not always the best remedy, you should still be aware that 95% of all infants are born healthy. The 5% of infants that do have abnormalities do not always have life-threatening or severe disabilities. Because women are living healthier and medical screening is so advanced, these kinds of conditions are quite uncommon.

For the majority of pregnant women, the best way to cope with these fears is to discuss them with another person. You may feel less burdened by sharing them with someone else. You can pick someone close to you, or someone who is not involved in your situation in any way, such as a doctor, doula, or pastor. You might not get any solutions; however, you could find that you are not alone in your worries.

Anxiety About Delivery

Women who have never had a baby before, and even women who have, get anxious about the actual process of delivering the baby. You could be concerned about the amount of pain involved or that you will not be able to control your bodily functions. Maybe you are worried you will do something you will be embarrassed about later or that you are going to be naked in the presence of virtual strangers. You might worry that your partner is going to faint or that his or her opinion of you will change. You could be concerned that complications will arise that will threaten either you or your baby. All of these worries are perfectly healthy.

To combat these anxieties, learn everything you can about the actual process. Find out what doctors do in normal circumstances and when complications arise. There are many excellent books, websites, videos, and magazines to get this information. Attend a prenatal class to get any questions you still have answered.

Sometimes, the fear of giving birth completely takes over a woman’s life to the point where she wants a Caesarean section instead of giving birth vaginally. This phobia is called “tocophobia” and it is getting more and more common all the time. Speak with your physician about your concerns. Their assurances might be enough to alleviate your anxiety. However, if that does not work, you might be able to arrange to have a C-section as a last option.

Anxiety About Parenting

Because becoming a parent is a huge step in your life, it is not shocking that it comes with quite a bit of anxiety. You could be concerned about the lack of sleep or how to feed your infant. You might be worried about money or not being able to do what you want anymore. You could also be worried about how your relationship with your partner will change.

There is no way to completely prepare for parenthood, because it is something that can only be learned on the job. You are not going to do the right thing 100% of the time. In most cases, there is no one perfect way of doing something. Just do what feels right to you. You can learn a lot from making mistakes as well. You will establish a routine in a fairly short amount of time.

Before you give birth, visit a friend or family member who has a baby so you can observe what works and what doesn’t. You will also gain confidence in seeing how well your friend or family member is coping with parenthood.

If your worry is centered on money, you can turn to outside entities for support.

Helpful Hints

Write in a journal to alleviate your fears. By putting your concerns in writing, you will be able to identify them much easier. Once they are identified, you can take the proper steps to finding a solution. You will also be able to keep your worries proportionate to the situation instead of blowing them out of proportion.

Learn how to relax with breathing exercises, massage, reflexology, aroma therapy, or yoga.

Work out often to release the tightness in your muscles and take your mind off your worries. You should aim to go outside for a bit every day to breathe in the fresh air.

In the event that your anxiety starts to edge toward panic, give “Rescue Remedy” a shot. This is a safe Bach Flower treatment that you can get from your local health store or pharmacy. If you experience multiple panic attacks, however, you should speak with your physician.

Pregnancy is fraught with the unknown, which definitely breeds anxiety, particularly if you are having your first baby or you are in your early first weeks. Hormone fluctuations are partially responsible for this increase in worry. The majority of mothers-to-be will see their mood get better as the pregnancy progresses, but certain women do develop depression.

If you think you are bordering on depressed or in full-blown depression, you need to talk to a professional right away. This is called ‘antenatal depression’ and it is a real disorder. You can get treated for it in a safe manner.