Anxiety in Pregnancy
Recognizing Anxiety During Pregnancy
Pregnancy anxiety doesn’t always show up as obvious worry, it can be sneaky and take many forms. You might feel on edge, easily startled, or like your thoughts are racing and hard to quiet. Irritability is also a common symptom, and it can affect your relationships in ways that feel confusing or even guilt-inducing. You may find yourself more reactive or overwhelmed by things that didn’t used to bother you as much. Some people feel a constant sense of dread or an inability to relax, even when things are going well. These experiences are valid and very common during pregnancy, and they don’t mean anything is wrong with you.
How Support During Pregnancy Can Help
Getting help during pregnancy can make a major difference in how you cope with stress and changes. Therapy offers a space to understand your emotional patterns and find relief from the mental load you’re carrying. A perinatal therapist can teach calming techniques, help you identify your triggers, and offer tools to soothe nervous system responses. This support can also strengthen your relationships by helping you communicate better and reduce conflict rooted in anxiety. With the right care, many people find they feel more connected to their pregnancy and more prepared to meet their baby. You don’t have to figure it out on your own.
Creating a Postpartum Plan With Your Therapist
Partnering with a Maternal Mental Health Specialist like Lauren Fox, LCSW, PMH-C during pregnancy can also set you up for success postpartum. Together, you can explore what support you’ll need after birth, from rest to emotional care to navigating identity changes. When anxiety is present during pregnancy, it’s wise to prepare ahead with a plan that includes practical strategies and emotional safety nets. Knowing you have someone to turn to who already understands your story makes reaching out feel less daunting if symptoms continue. This proactive approach can ease your transition into parenthood and help you feel more confident and cared for.
When Anxiety Continues After Birth
Sometimes, the anxiety you felt in pregnancy doesn’t go away, and may even intensify after birth. Postpartum anxiety can include obsessive thoughts, constant worry about your baby, and difficulty sleeping or eating. Many people feel ashamed to talk about it, especially if they thought things would feel better once the baby arrived. But postpartum anxiety is incredibly common and nothing to be ashamed of. If you notice that your emotions feel unmanageable or your relationships are suffering, continuing therapy can offer relief and real solutions. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you can begin to feel more like yourself again.
Reach Out for Support Today
You deserve support during pregnancy and beyond and not just when things get “bad enough.” If you’ve been feeling irritable, anxious, overwhelmed, or like your emotions are affecting your relationships, know you are not alone. Lauren Fox, LCSW, PMH-C offers compassionate, expert care for pregnant and postpartum individuals, both virtually and in-person. Working with a therapist who understands perinatal mental health can help you feel more grounded and prepared for all that’s ahead. Don’t wait, reach out today and take the first step toward healing and peace of mind.
Lauren Fox, LCSW, PMH-C works exclusively with women in the perinatal period and those with children 0-3 years old.
I hope this blog about experiencing anxiety in pregnancy was helpful for you. Read here if you’d like to know more about Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders. If you are looking for a perinatal and/or postpartum therapist, reach out to me! I can also help point you in the direction of local Coachella Valley doulas, physicians, birthing centers and vendors like photographers, balloons and catering for baby showers, etc, etc. We can schedule a 15 minute phone consultation to discuss what is happening for you and explore if more individualized mental health support could be beneficial for you. I would be happy to help get you connected. Feel free to call me at 805-930-9355 for a free 15 minute phone consultation. If you are looking for help with pregnancy, postpartum, pregnancy loss, infertility, birth trauma, hypnotherapy, or new mothers support groups, you can read more about how I can help within this website.
Serving the Coachella Valley and surrounding areas, including: Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Thousand Palms, Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, Bermuda Dunes, Coachella, Thermal, Mecca, TwentyNine Palms, Desert Hot Springs, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree and virtually across the state of California.
Therapist Palm Desert, Therapist Palm Springs, Postpartum Therapist Palm Desert, Postpartum Therapist Palm Springs, Postpartum Depression Palm Desert, Postpartum Depression Palm Springs, mom support groups near me