Pregnancy can make you feel overwhelmed, stressed, and nervous, especially if it’s your first time. Feeling a bit uneasy during this period is normal, and you don’t have to worry about it in most cases. However, if you are experiencing anxiety during pregnancy and it has become a part of your every day, you shouldn’t ignore it. A panic attack while pregnant can also happen; if it happens to you, it would be best to seek help.
If you are having trouble with pregnancy anxiety and you don’t know what to do, we can help you. We will discuss the topic in this article and help you get your prenatal care in order.
Do You Know What Anxiety Is?
Today, anxiety is used for many things, primarily trivial, so people often don’t take it too seriously. However, it is something you shouldn’t ignore, especially if experiencing anxiety during pregnancy.
As mentioned, feeling uneasy and stressed out is expected, considering our time. But if you are constantly living in fear, worrying about things you can’t control, and you can’t shake off the feeling of unease, you have a problem with anxiety. And if you pay no attention to it, it can lead to panic attacks, and a panic attack while pregnant isn’t a pleasant feeling.
Nevertheless, if you are experiencing anxiety during pregnancy, you shouldn’t feel guilty and shouldn’t panic. People often think being pregnant should be a period when the future mother is constantly happy, but the reality is different.
Anxiety is a mental health issue that should be taken care of, as it will not go away after a couple of days. And the same goes for panic attacks while pregnant.
Symptoms of Anxiety
If you have doubts about experiencing pregnancy anxiety and you don’t know for sure if that’s what’s going on, here are the most common symptoms.
- Uncontrollable anxious feeling
- Worrying uncontrollably
- Lack of concentration and focus
- Feeling of restlessness
- Problems with falling asleep
- Feeling agitated
- Being short-tempered
Causes of Anxiety
There’s no one definite cause of anxiety, and nobody is safe from it. Problems with anxiety can happen anytime in your life, and you can’t predict them most of the time. But a few causes are the most common, and here they are.
- Highly stressful or traumatic situations
- Family history of anxiety
- Depression
- Drug abuse
What are Panic Attacks?
Panic attacks are also feelings of anxiety; however, they come suddenly and, in most cases, are very intense. Often they are followed with various physical symptoms. Even though panic attacks while pregnant can seem terrifying.
Symptoms of Panic Attacks
- Excessive sweating
- Racing heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling like you are going to die
- Feeling like you are going to faint
- Dizziness
- Agitated stomach
- Unstable, wobbly limbs
Compared to the feeling of being anxious that can last for a whole day, panic attacks usually last from 5 to 20 minutes. It may seem like those 5 minutes are 5 hours when you are experiencing the physical symptoms mentioned above, but you need to remember that nothing dangerous will happen to you.
Are Anxiety and Panic Attacks Common in Pregnancy?
Anxiety and pregnancy are two things that go hand in hand, even if not many people talk about this topic. Pregnancy is known to be a stressful period in every future mother’s life, so anxiety during pregnancy is also widespread. It is said that 1 in 10 women have at least some sort of anxiety during pregnancy, so if it happens to you, you are not alone.
It’s also usual for women to experience panic attacks during pregnancy because they worry not only about themselves and their health but also about the health of their unborn child.
If you are experiencing something similar, you need to remember that it’s not your fault and that you will overcome it, even if it doesn’t feel like that.
Anxiety and Pregnancy
Childbirth is an experience that doesn’t happen every day, and it can be daunting for any woman, especially if it is the first pregnancy. And because of it, you may have many questions and worries about your future and your child.
If you can’t control your thoughts and worry about your health, labor, and the time when the baby comes, the best thing you can do is talk to your OB or midwife. They will know how to help ease your worries so that you can spend this period of your life without any fears.
What to Do If You Feel Anxious During Pregnancy?
The best thing you can do and something that will calm your nerves is to talk to your healthcare provider. Someone with experience and someone you can trust can help you answer all the burning questions you have on your mind.
When Should You Talk To Your OB-GYN?
It is not alarming if you feel a bit nervous from time to time. If you have any doubts about feeling anxious and if it can affect your pregnancy, you should talk to your healthcare provider. You can always talk to your OB-GYN or your midwife if there are some topics you are interested in and you don’t know anything about.
And here are some situations that you shouldn’t ignore.
- If you are experiencing anxiety during pregnancy for more than two weeks and can’t control your thoughts, it’s a sign to talk to your obstetrician.
- If you have panic attacks while pregnant.
- If you have uncontrollable thoughts about your health or your unborn child.
- If you experience some physical symptoms like dizziness, racing heartbeat, agitated stomach, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
- If you are afraid of labor and everything that comes after it.
How Should It Be Treated?
The most important thing in situations like this is to have support, and there’s no one better to give you full support in a new life experience than your obstetrician.
Depending on your feelings and symptoms, your OB-GYN will find the best solution for you. In most cases, mindfulness practices are the best thing you can do to help yourself. It means you should put yourself and your child first and not hide your feelings and emotions. Meditation, pregnancy yoga, and reading self-help books can also help.
And if the symptoms worsen, the best treatment is therapy with a licensed and professional therapist.
Anxiety and Pregnancy: Can You Prevent It?
Anxiety and panic attacks can be prevented if you prepare for everything that’s about to come. You can do that by talking to your OB-GYN, partner, a friend, or family member.
Another good thing is to be careful what you eat and drink; you should eat healthy foods, avoid fast food full of sugar and oils, and avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, and smoking.
As mentioned, yoga and meditation are a great way to relax, and they can also help you to prevent unwanted situations, like panic attacks and feeling anxious.
Find Help
If you still have questions about this topic and want someone to talk to, Trogolo Obstetrics and Gynecology in Jacksonville can be your safe place. We are here to talk to you, answer all your questions, and help you in any way you need.
Feel free to contact us and book an appointment today.
