Prenatal Anxiety - The complexities of modern pregnancy and what we can do about it

Prenatal anxiety, also known as antenatal or perinatal anxiety, is a very common problem. A recent study published in Health Science Reports showed that up to 1 in 5 women meet the criteria for an anxiety disorder during pregnancy.

If this describes your current situation, you are not alone and what you are dealing with makes sense.

I’ve heard different generations discussing the differences between prenatal care in the past verses prenatal care now and I often hear people trying to outdo one another on how hard it was/is. It’s true, the older generations did not have access to as much information as we have today, but I would argue that although access to more information does make us more educated and informed, it may not always benefit our mental health. The millennials and more recent generations are now constantly flooded with information unlike the previous generations, who only knew what they heard from friends, their doctor, or what they read in the newspaper or watched on the nightly news. And while most people would agree that knowledge and access to information is a good thing, it can also be incredibly overwhelming.

Most women go into pregnancy wanting to be a good parent and therefore, trying to seek out as much information as possible on how to do so. The problem is that there is so much information that it can be overwhelming, not to mention, contradictory. Furthermore, the millennial and more recent generations have moved away from family support at a much larger rate than previous generations and this can also make pregnancy feel more isolating and overwhelming.

Although there’s rarely a quick fix in life, here are just a few strategies that might make all of that overwhelming information a little more manageable:

1) Find a healthcare provider that you trust – If you’re not feeling heard, understood, or respected at your current provider, take this time to shop around. Do a search for nearby “trauma-informed” practices. These providers use approaches that can make women feel more safe and comfortable throughout the process, such as telling you when they are going to touch you, what they will be doing, and what to expect throughout the appointment.

2) Talk to a therapist – Many therapists accept insurance plans or Health Savings Accounts, and can help you alleviate some of those anxious thoughts and feelings you’re having. I believe that one of the most beneficial aspects of talking to a therapist is knowing that your communication is confidential. Talking to friends and family members can also be very helpful, but there may be times when that person has biases or past experiences that affect their advice while they are not beholden to confidentiality as therapists are. Therapists are also trained in empathic listening and non-judgment; they can help you work towards your personal goals and create positive changes that last postpartum as well.

3) Mindfulness and Meditation – being able to turn off the noise and bring yourself back to the present moment can have so many benefits to your mental health and also the health of your baby

4) Seek trusted sources of information: a) Seek out books rather than social media accounts or individual articles, books often (not always) have much more research behind them and can be more comprehensive than just a small blurb from social media b) talk to trusted parents, siblings, and friends regarding their experiences and advice, having this firsthand knowledge from someone who has been through it can be one of the most helpful things

5) Know that you are not alone, there is nothing wrong with you, and you will make it through this hard time even stronger than you were before!