Pregnancy is a time full of joy and excitement, but also a source of big changes for women, which can lead to anxiety. Commonly this is known as pregnancy anxiety, or antenatal anxiety.  Changing hormones and discomforts in the body, combined with the thoughts of what birth will be like and whether it be, would be able to cope with all these possibilities cause a lot of stress and worry. Read on for some effective ways to manage anxiety during pregnancy:

Cause of Anxiety Attack During Pregnancy

Pregnancy can lead to you feeling a range of emotions. So, anxiety attacks are common in pregnancy, almost 1 in 5 pregnant women have it. In pregnancy time multiple contributing factors can cause anxiety disorder. Here are some common causes:   

Pregnancy triggers hormonal changes impacting mood, anxiety levels, and stress sensitivity. Discomfort from physical changes disrupted sleep, and pain can heighten anxiety. Worries about childbirth, the baby's health, past trauma, life stressors, and existing anxiety disorders add to pregnancy-related anxiety. Thyroid issues also contribute to mood swings and anxiety.

Pregnancy Anxiety Symptoms

Different physiologically and emotionally expressed symptoms of pregnancy anxiety are manifested as follows: Too much worrying about the baby's health, fear of birth, worries about child-rearing issues, trepidation of the unknowns, uneasiness, irritability, lack of ability to concentrate, sleeplessness, irregularity in heartbeat with palpitations, breathlessness, muscle tension in shoulders, neck and backs, sweating in excess, upset stomachs, with nausea, diarrhea or constipation, intense or frequent headaches.

Anxiety Treatment Option For Pregnancy 

Many pregnancy-safe anxiety treatments exist to help women feel better in pregnancy.

Medicational Treatment:

Anxiety medications for pregnancy are of two main types: SSRIs or selective serotonin reuptake and Benzodiazepines.

For severe anxiety, medications like SSRIs may help. These are commonly used for depression and anxiety in pregnancy, but they don't seem to raise the risk of major birth defects. Neonatal side effects like jitteriness from SSRIs typically fade in a few days. They are the most common benzodiazepines used during pregnancy-related conditions, and Lorazepam (Ativan) and Alprazolam (Xanax) are the most commonly used among them. However, they should be used with extreme caution during pregnancy as they have been associated with the incidence of preterm and low birth weight.

Although many herbal therapies are claimed to help relieve anxiety symptoms during pregnancy, avoidance is the best policy unless recommended by your provider; the safety of herbal medicines is often not known are seldom studied, most especially concerning pregnancy or any other special situations.

Psychologist Treatment:

CBT is one of the therapies that are more likely to be helpful during the peripartum period (before, during, and after giving birth). An example of an application of CBT is in the challenging of maladaptive thoughts, feelings, and behaviors using anxiety management strategies such as diaphragmatic breathing modified for pregnancy.

Other Ways to Manage Anxiety During Pregnancy

• Practice mindfulness through meditation to stay present and reduce overthinking. Use pregnancy-friendly meditations and breathing exercises from apps like Calm or Headspace. 
• Prioritize restful sleep by maintaining a regular schedule and calming bedtime routine. Avoid screens and caffeine close to bedtime to manage anxiety symptoms.
• Engage in safe exercises like walking or prenatal yoga to release mood-boosting endorphins. Share feelings with loved ones or join support groups to connect with others.
• Practice deep breathing techniques for stress relief. Inhale, hold and exhale in counts to promote relaxation. Control or limit the effect of negative news and social media. 
• Anxiety can be managed by proper nutrition, which includes eating nutrient-dense foods. Hydrate, avoid overusing caffeinated drinks and concentrate on leafy greens' and lean-meat protein-centric foods. 
• A pleasant environment with soft music, aromatherapy, and delightful activities such as book reading or bathing could serve to create such a soothing atmosphere. Repeat daily positive affirmations to strengthen and equip oneself for many challenges.
• Plan and prepare for delivery to reduce uncertainty and anxiety. Stay organized with to-do lists and baby items. 
• Spend time in nature for its calming effects. Outdoor walks can boost mood and well-being. Bond with your baby through talking, singing, and belly rubs for emotional comfort.

Can Pregnancy With Anxiety Affect The Baby?

Studies say that constant anxiety during pregnancy might lead to some health or developmental problems in your baby in the future. But, it's good to know that there are treatments for anxiety, and treating it during pregnancy can help you avoid adverse results.

Research has already associated untreated maternal anxiety during pregnancy with premature delivery, low birth weight, and fetal growth restrictions. Some researchers have even suggested that anxiety during pregnancy might predispose the child to have a higher risk of developing mental disorders, emotional problems, hyperactivity, and impaired cognitive development.

For mothers, suffering from untreated anxiety when pregnant could only worsen nausea and vomiting. Anxiety is also difficult when trying to take care of oneself, and your baby, and arguably creates barriers in the bond after birth. Like most cases, untreated pregnancy anxiety does not go away after birth; it rather increases the risks for postpartum anxiety and postpartum OCD.

Conclusion

Anxiety is something very common throughout pregnancy. It is very subjective to the individual, so what may soothe your friend's worries might not calm you down much. Communicate with your loved ones, try different ways of relieving stress, and keep the doctor informed.