There is so much to process when you are pregnant.
No wonder some moms are worried and anxious during their pregnancy. But sometimes it is more than just a little worry.
Let’s go over anxiety during pregnancy.
Anxiety occurs in 10% of women during pregnancy.
You are not alone if you have symptoms of anxiety. With the ongoing COVID pandemic, reports of anxiety during pregnancy have doubled! Some studies show that a staggering 75% of pregnant women reported anxiety during the pandemic.
Sometimes anxiety can be the main symptom of depression.
Anxiety and depression often coexist and about 30% of pregnant women may have both.
You could experience all of those symptoms with anxiety.
You may feel:
Uncontrollable sense of worry especially regarding your baby
Overwhelmed
Unable to concentrate
Uncommonly irritable or agitated
Difficulty sleeping
Frightening, upsetting ideas that do not go away
Tense muscles
Headaches
Heart racing
FALSE! Less than 40% of women seek help.
Some women may think: “ I have always been a worrier” or “This is just who I am”.
And let’s not forget that pregnancy includes a flood of information including the “don't do that” and “do this” in order to have a perfect baby. You may spend hours “Googling” the safest car seat or how what you ate is going to cause undeniable harm to your baby.
No wonder it may seem like it is normal to live in a constant state of worry when you are pregnant. This allows pregnancy related anxiety to go unrecognized.
Anxiety during pregnancy or after birth can occur to anyone.
Here are some factors that make some women more likely than others to experience this:
A history of depression or anxiety, either during pregnancy or at other times
Family history of depression or anxiety
A challenging pregnancy or high-risk pregnancy
History of a pregnancy loss.
Twins or other multiples
Relationship problems
Financial stress
No social support
Unplanned pregnancy
Prior trauma
TRUE!
High levels of anxiety, during pregnancy, can affect both mom and baby poorly. Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, premature birth and low birth weight is more likely. Also, anxiety during pregnancy is associated with delayed infant development, emotional problems and hyperactivity disorder.
Okay. Breath. It’ll be alright!
This was NOT intended to cause you anxiety but to let you know the importance of seeking support and care!
FALSE!
Anxiety left untreated in pregnancy can continue after delivery as postpartum anxiety or depression. . This can impact mother- child bonding. Early mother-child bonding is important for the baby's emotional and cognitive development, and becoming close to the baby is a big part of that bonding. If you have postpartum depression or anxiety during pregnancy or after birth, it can be hard to become close to the baby.
So what can you do?
Many treatment options are available for managing depression or anxiety during pregnancy. Some women may participate in counseling, while others may need medication. Your healthcare provider may ask you a set of questions, called a screening, to learn more about what you are feeling. Some females find it helpful to speak about their issues or feelings with a mental health professional. Your counselor can help you find methods to handle your sensations and make changes to help relieve depression or anxiety. Several medications can treat anxiety successfully and are safe for pregnant females and breastfeeding mothers and their babies. Talk with a healthcare provider about medications that might be right for you.
Remember, you are not alone! Anxiety during pregnancy is more common than gestational diabetes, although less spoken about.
Anxiety can be long lasting and won't disappear on its own...But it is very treatable, which is why it is essential to get help.
Reach out to your healthcare provider or as always MaternalWell is available with Text support for any general questions or schedule a session with our pregnancy mental health specialists for more personalized care.
