Antenatal anxiety and depression symptoms can vary a lot for each expecting parent. Many expecting parents experience a mixed mood including both depressive and anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety symptoms can negatively affect your daily life and enjoyment of your pregnancy. If you feel like people expect you to be rapt about having a baby but you’re overwhelmed and worried, it can feel scary and vulnerable to tell someone how you’re really feeling.
“I didn’t feel I could talk about it either because I thought it wasn’t normal to feel like this when it was supposed to be such a ‘joyous and happy’ time, and I couldn’t possibly feel like this.”
“I always worried that something was wrong, or that something would go wrong, and about if I would be a good mother and love my baby.”
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Getting help: Support during pregnancy
Common signs and symptoms of antenatal anxiety can include
1
Anxiety and mood
2
Anxiety and behaviour
3
Anxiety and relationships
It can feel overwhelming and scary to share these thoughts and feelings with someone, but you don’t have to carry the weight of antenatal anxiety alone. It’s important to reach out to a loved one or a healthcare provider so that you can get support and start to feel better.
“I put any negative feelings down to hormones. I realise now that it went beyond the normal worry and stress of pregnancy. I found myself quickly all consumed by doubt and fear all the time.”
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms (or any others) that are affecting your daily function and mental and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy, it’s time to have a chat with someone. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with family and friends just yet, you can call PANDA.
We’ll listen, give you more information and can help you link in with antenatal mental health supports in your area.
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Mental health checklist
How are you going?
Everyone’s experience of pregnancy, birth and parenting is unique and brings different rewards and challenges.
Complete our online mental health checklist to see if what you’re experiencing or observing in a loved one could be a reason to seek help.
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