When Pregnancy Anxiety Sneaks In (and What to Do About It)

Snigdha Gupta
Sep 4
2 min read

Pregnancy is often painted as this blissful journey of glowing skin, baby kicks, and nursery Pinterest boards. And while those moments do exist, let’s be honest: for many women, pregnancy is also a time of anxiety - the kind that creeps in quietly at night or shows up in the middle of a work meeting when you suddenly wonder, “Am I doing everything right for this baby?”

Why Anxiety Happens in Pregnancy

Pregnancy-related anxiety is surprisingly common. Studies show it affects about 10% of women in high-income countries, but in low-income regions, it can be as high as 56%. That’s not a small number - it means almost half of expectant mothers in some places are wrestling with anxious thoughts while growing a human.

And here’s something interesting: researchers say it follows a U-shaped curve. Anxiety is often higher in the first trimester (when everything feels uncertain and fragile) and again in the third trimester (when the countdown begins and the reality of birth hits). The middle months can feel like a calmer stretch - but not always.

What Anxiety Looks Like

Pregnancy anxiety isn’t just “worrying.” It can look like:

Racing thoughts about your baby’s health.
Checking Google at 2 a.m. for every strange twinge.
Restlessness or trouble sleeping.
A constant sense of “what if something goes wrong?”

Sometimes, it also blends into social anxiety. Maybe you avoid gatherings because you don’t want to answer endless questions about your pregnancy or your plans. Maybe you feel uneasy at prenatal classes where everyone else seems to have it “figured out.” Social anxiety during pregnancy can leave women feeling isolated when they most need connection.

Why It Matters

Anxiety isn’t just “in your head.” Chronic stress affects your body and can influence both your wellbeing and your baby’s. Left unspoken, it can also spiral into depression or make postpartum recovery harder. The good news? Anxiety is treatable, and you don’t have to power through it alone.

Small Steps That Help

Talk about it. With your partner, a trusted friend, or a counsellor. Naming your fears takes away their power.
Cut down on Google. Information overload often fuels anxiety. Stick to one or two trusted sources.
Gentle movement. Prenatal yoga, walking, or even stretching can calm both body and mind.
Breathing rituals. A few minutes of slow, deep breathing signals safety to your nervous system.
Community. If social anxiety makes groups hard, start small - maybe one supportive friend or an online forum where you can be honest.

You’re Not Alone

If you’re pregnant and feeling anxious, it doesn’t mean you’re weak or ungrateful. It means you’re human. Your mind is trying to process a big life change. With support—whether it’s counselling, peer groups, or mindful practices—you can carry both your baby and your mental health with gentleness.

✨If this resonates, and you’re navigating pregnancy with a cloud of anxiety, remember you don’t have to walk this path alone. Counselling offers a safe space to unpack your worries and find calmer ground. Reach out - I’d love to walk with you through this season.