Anxiety is known as the constant feeling of worry, fear and stress. These feelings of fear, feeling danger and stressful can be a constant part of your life. There is no problem when you feel fearful sometimes in life, but the real problem arises when you feel such emotions on a daily basis. They might also become consistent and persistent. This is when it becomes a thing of danger, when these emotions become overpowering and overwhelming. When these emotions become strong enough and start affecting your day-to-day life and tasks, this can be then considered as an anxiety disorder.
Feeling emotions of anxiety about your baby’s health and well-being is completely okay. During pregnancy, you might feel that you need to check up on your baby’s health and their constant movements. These stress emotions are completely normal while you are pregnant. Your body goes through a number of physical and emotional changes during your pregnancy. Thus, it is completely okay for you to feel stressed and fearful of your baby’s health. These changes might end up affecting your mood, emotions and even your actions. Your mind can only think about one thing all the time, and it’s about your baby’s health and well being. This ends up making you extremely prone to worry and stress.
Now when we talk about anxiety during pregnancy, there are a number of aspects that should be taken into consideration. However, there is a big line of difference between normal worrisome thoughts and serious anxiety during pregnancy. The latter is also known as Antenatal Anxiety. If these feelings and thoughts of worry and stress are constant and start making hindrances in your day-to-day life, you should consult your doctor and figure out ways of dealing with them together. Severe, long-term anxiety can also increase your risk of labor problems and delivering a low weight baby. It can also lead to increased chances of the child developing behavioural and emotional challenges in the future.
It is extremely important to seek help and speak with your doctor if and when you are experiencing such symptoms during your pregnancy.
There are several disorders related to anxiety and pregnancy, and they might cause the symptoms to vary. Here are some of the common ones that you need to take seriously.
- Feeling anxious, nervous constantly
If you are experiencing emotions of anxiety, nervousness that come and go and eventually stay for longer periods of time, it might be a sign of anxiety during pregnancy
- Feeling an uncontrollable anxious sensation
When you are pregnant, you should always be in control of yourself and your emotions, in order to make sure the best for your baby. However, if you are experiencing a feeling of uncontrollable fear that might not necessarily have a trigger, it might be a cause of Anatenal Anxiety, and you should visit your doctor as soon as possible in such a case
- Worrying excessively and not being able to stop or control your thoughts
We all know that we need to be in sync and control of our emotions. This helps in keeping us focused and concentrated. However, in cases of anxiety during pregnancy, it might not be very easy for the mommy to be to take a lead of the emotions and control her thoughts
- Finding it difficult to relax
Relaxation is important for both your baby and you. If you are finding it difficult to relax and take your best sleep time your anxiety and pregnancy can be related
- Feeling constantly restless
Restlessness is not a good sign. Especially when you are pregnant, you need to be in a calm state of mind to ensure that your baby is also calm and relaxed. A constant feeling of restlessness can be anxiety during pregnancy
- Feelings of irritability and agitation
We all have mood swings and changes in the mood cycle might become more evident when you are pregnant as there are a number of emotional changes going on in your body. However, if they become uncontrollable, you should visit the doctor
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feelings of fear
- Fearing that bad things might happen to you or your baby
How can this be treated?
Any type of anxiety is treated through psychological help, relaxation training and therapy. Anxiety during pregnancy can also be treated with the help of psychological therapies, cognitive behavioural therapies, mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Your therapist, psychiatrist or trainer might also encourage you to modify or make some changes in your lifestyle in order to cut out stress and tension and eat more healthily.
In the case of severe problems, your doctor might also prescribe you anxiety medication. In the case of anxiety and pregnancy, your doctor will have to work it out and discuss with you in order to understand what medicines are safe for you.
