Pregnancy is already a period of changes in the body and especially of major hormonal changes1. Because of this, it is natural for a woman to feel insecure and develop feelings of fear during pregnancy, as well as experiencing a wide range of emotions over the 9 months.

Any sign, no matter how small, is a cause for concern, especially if she has already gone through some trauma such as a miscarriage. The insecurity and fear during pregnancy that something might happen and interrupt this major event ends up interfering and keeping the woman from enjoying and making the most of it as she should2. There are so many concerns and fears, from the pain of childbirth, a possible miscarriage or even if it is possible to mix up your baby at the maternity ward, that when we are not in the situation it almost sounds absurd. But it is absolutely normal, and no woman goes through pregnancy without experiencing this, obviously some will go beyond the limits. The most common fears in pregnancy are:

  • Miscarriage
  • Hurting the baby during sex
  • Fear of childbirth
  • Fear of anesthesia
  • Malformation in the fetus

It is also common to hear about fears during pregnancy related to weight gain and losing it after the baby is born, which sometimes causes women to not eat as they should during a period that requires a healthier diet than usual. There is also fear of missing the signs that labor has started and the baby being born late. These are completely unnecessary worries and can be cleared up with a good conversation with your obstetrician.

How to Deal with Fear During Pregnancy?

Ideally, especially for first-time mothers, you should take advantage of prenatal appointments to ask all your questions and clarify any fears about pregnancy. Whether it is about sex with your partner3 during this period or even your most intimate worries, and if the doctor thinks it necessary, they can prescribe some natural calming remedy to help you relax. Avoid watching documentaries or reading anything related to pregnancy that might increase your fears, especially stories of gestational problems and fetal malformations. Keep yourself busy as the days seem longer the further your pregnancy advances, like decorating the baby’s room or getting the layette ready. Maybe even planning the baby shower?

Good prenatal care and properly performed exams also help to keep you calm. Don’t hesitate to ask all your questions and never go home wondering if something is wrong with the progress of your pregnancy or your baby’s development. The presence of family, their support and willingness to listen to the fears of a pregnant woman are also essential to keep her feeling safer and more comfortable. After all, mothers, grandmothers, and aunts always have good experiences to tell and share. Avoid pessimistic people who love to tell their scary stories—these are definitely not good company for a pregnant woman at any stage.

This moment should be filled with joy and enjoying every moment of this period, and if any obstacle comes up along the way, medicine is available to help resolve it and make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible. Suffering in anticipation, very often for no reason, will only harm you by keeping you up at night and preventing you from enjoying this moment as you dreamed.

See also: Depression During Pregnancy – Why Does It Happen and How to Treat It?

Photo: Sean Molin, Marcos de Madariaga