Is It Common to Get Anxious During Pregnancy?

Anxiety during pregnancy is quite common and usually overlooked when addressing maternal well-being. Anxiety is typically a typical human experience that may vary from uncomfortable to overwhelming fear. Nevertheless, spreading beyond control and limits may be destructive to mental well-being. Pregnant females must realize that anxiety is not their weakness and cannot vanish by magic alone. This blog is on pregnancy and anxiety in different aspects, including constant worries that bother expectant women, sporadic panic attacks, etc. This article also discusses natural remedies for anxiety during pregnancy. Keep reading to know more!

How Common Is Anxiety During Pregnancy?

Over one in ten pregnant women are estimated to suffer from anxiety during pregnancy. It is, however, essential for individuals to understand that experiencing anxiety attacks while pregnant does not indicate failure to manage pregnancy-related emotions. It is not always easy to distinguish emotions during pregnancy. If you constantly feel anxious or have pregnancy panic attacks, seek support from health professionals, including mental health experts.

Causes Of Anxiety During Pregnancy

Personal Risk Factors:

Personal issues such as a family history of anxiety or panic attacks, past exposure to anxiety experiences, and a history of trauma and abuse also increase anxiety during pregnancy.

Substance Use:

Consumption of unprescribed drugs may increase the chances of anxiety during pregnancy. Hence, always adhere to the doctor’s prescription before ingesting any medication.

Mental Health Conditions:

However, anxiety symptoms may be exacerbated during pregnancy when co-existing with depression.

Physical Health Factors:

Anxiety may also stem from managing chronic conditions or experiencing physical pain.

Life Stressors:

This pregnancy-related anxiety can be heightened due to other things like life stresses like relationship problems and financial worries.

Pregnancy-specific anxieties and phobias:

Fear during pregnancy, such as tokophobia, PTSD, and needle phobia, can all impact pregnancy-related anxiety.

Does Anxiety Affect the Baby?

It is usual for women to experience anxiety in early pregnancy. Also, fears about their effect on the fetus are natural. But this worry may eventually lead to a cycle of stress and anxiety. Nevertheless, we must realise the indirect effect of maternal anxiety on the newborn when the woman receives appropriate care and support.

Yet, according to some research, maternal well-being for a healthy pregnancy is essential, but the direct impacts of anxiety on the developing fetus are minor. Management of anxiety's impact on mother and baby is possible through seeking treatment and support, such as counselling or therapy. Pregnant women should believe in their self-capability to care for the child by engaging in self-care and seeking assistance where necessary.

Treatment for Anxiety During Pregnancy

Medical Approaches:

Doctors will evaluate the intensity of the symptoms, previous records of anxiety, and availability of local therapy for the best treatment plan.

Self-Help Techniques:

In many instances, anxiety, phobias, and panic attacks related to pregnancy are tackled by self-help techniques that stem from the CBT approach. This view emphasises that people can cope with anxiety by analyzing and changing their thoughts and actions.

Mental Health Support:

If you need more comprehensive intervention, you might be referred to a specialist mental health service experienced in supporting pregnant women with anxiety during pregnancy.

Therapy:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and applied relaxation as therapeutic alternatives for managing anxiety in pregnancy and administered by professional practitioners.

Medication:

It will involve deciding whether to include medication like antidepressants as a treatment option. This should be done considering the possible pros and cons while prioritizing happiness.

How to Manage Anxiety During Pregnancy?

Open Communication:

To lessen the burden of anxiety during pregnancy, share your feelings with someone you trust. It is a great medium to lessen anxiety. It helps you to feel a lot lighter emotionally.

Overcome Guilt and Embarrassment:

Understand that it is normal to experience anxiety in pregnancy, and it is not your fault. Do not burden yourself with guilt or embarrassment.

Self-Care:

Exercise with a balanced diet (avoiding too much caffeine) and abstaining from harmful substances, including smoking and alcohol, should prioritise emotional well-being.

Relaxation Techniques:

Practice methods such as deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness. These will help you calm down your mind and help you to stable your inner well-being.

Risk Factors for Anxiety During Pregnancy

Mental Health History:

Anxiety during pregnancy can manifest itself in people with anxiety disorders or other mental issues.

Personal Stressors:

Anxiety during pregnancy can also arise due to external stressors like relationship problems, financial difficulties, or work stress.

Pregnancy-Related Concerns:

In expecting mothers, panic attacks may be triggered by anxiety and fear during pregnancy, such as fears about childbirth, complications, or the baby's health.

Hormonal Changes:

Hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy may also affect mood and anxiety, causing an increase in anxiety.

Lack of Social Support:

The lack of support from family, friends, and a partner may worsen the anxiety associated with this necessary change in one's life.

Medical Complications:

Anxiety may also arise due to physical health complications or issues that occur during pregnancy and are in danger to the mother or the baby.

What Should You Do If You Are Anxious During Pregnancy?

Consult a Healthcare Professional:

Speak to your midwife or doctor if you experience persistent anxiety during pregnancy and physical symptoms like a racing heart, sweating, panic attacks, intrusive thoughts, or compulsive behaviours.

Disclose Your Mental Health History:

Inform your healthcare provider about prior anxiety experiences, even if you're not currently anxious. This information helps them provide tailored support during pregnancy.

Seek Treatment and Support:

Understand that healthcare professionals aim to help, not judge. Reach out to them and they will identify the right treatment options for your recovery.

Open Communication:

If discussing anxiety is difficult, write down your feelings before appointments or bring a supportive companion.

Conclusion

It is natural for a woman to feel anxiety during pregnancy, and this can be handled. Though there is always cause for concern about what it will do, studies reveal that when given proper care, the direct impact on a baby is negligible.

It is crucial to see a healthcare professional because therapy and medication can be used as treatment options. Managing pregnancy-related anxiety involves open communication, acknowledging previous anxiety experiences, and seeking support. Emotional well-being, being first, guarantees the mother a healthy and relaxed birthing.