Understanding Prenatal Anxiety, Its Symptoms, and Your Risk
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The Symptoms of Prenatal Anxiety
Some things might put you at a greater risk of developing prenatal anxiety. For example, if you had struggled with anxiety before becoming pregnant, you may be at a higher risk of developing it during pregnancy.
Moreover, pregnancy complications or other life factors can also put you at a higher risk for prenatal anxiety. Although you might have prepared meticulously, sometimes things don’t always go as planned. If your pregnancy doesn’t play out like you thought it would or it’s more of a bumpy ride than expected, that will likely only add to your anxiety.
So, how do you know if you are dealing with prenatal anxiety?
Some of the symptoms include:
Racing thoughts
Panic attacks and fear that something horrible may happen
Consistent and excessive worrying
Sleep issues
Constantly feeling restless or irritable
Appetite changes
You may also experience physical symptoms, including a rapid heartbeat, nausea, or dizziness. If you have any of these signs during your pregnancy, you do not have to cope with them alone. In fact, now is the time to reach out for help.
When to Talk to a Healthcare Professional
It’s only natural to experience some general worrying during pregnancy — and that is okay. After all, most parents want their babies to be healthy and happy. However, it’s a problem when irrational fears and overwhelming worry begin to bulldoze your life. The symptoms listed above impact your daily routine significantly, harming your peace of mind and physical health.
It’s tricky to know the right time to seek help. How can you tell when it’s “too much” to handle and time for support?
A strong indicator that you need to talk to your doctor or licensed counselor is the two-week test. In other words, if you’ve gone for more than two weeks of your pregnancy with no relief from racing thoughts and constant worry, it’s time to reach out for support. Most of the time, these unwelcomed thoughts will keep coming back to bombard your mind — but you can challenge them by seeking help.
Finally, if you are dreading giving birth because you are so fearful, you should make an appointment with a counselor as soon as possible.
Treating Prenatal Anxiety
The treatment for prenatal anxiety is different for everyone. The solution depends on your symptoms’ severity and what has helped you when you’ve struggled with anxiety before.
You do not have to be strong and courageous just because you are pregnant. One of the best ways to cope with prenatal anxiety is to admit you are struggling and need help. A counselor can help you get to your anxiety’s underlying root to learn healthy management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, journaling, or light exercise.
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If you are pregnant and struggling with feelings of anxiety, please do not hesitate to contact us or visit our Parenting Support page. You are not alone in the way you feel. By taking positive steps toward coping in healthy ways and reaching out for help, you are doing what is best for yourself and your baby.