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It’s the moment you’ve been waiting for since your pregnancy test came back positive. You have hit the home stretch, also known as the third trimester, and you’re counting down each and every day until you get to meet your little one. But with all this joy and impending excitement, you still wonder, why do I feel so anxious?
Whether you’re worried about the labor and delivery or if you’re stressing over what will happen when the baby finally arrives, experiencing third trimester anxiety can be totally normal. In fact, more than 1 in 10 pregnant women experience anxiety at some point.
Anxiety during pregnancy: Concerns during the third trimester
Whether it’s your first child or your third, anxiety during pregnancy can be normal. From worries about the level of pain you’ll experience during birth to the reality of caring for your new baby and everything in between, these anxieties during pregnancy are expected.
Third trimester anxiety can be attributed to a variety of things like changing hormones and worries about how your pregnancy has progressed to this point. Not to mention being nervous about your baby’s health and making sure delivery goes as smoothly as it can. Anxiety can be exacerbated if your doctor has diagnosed any type of pregnancy complications.
Also, having a baby in a world where the pandemic is still a concern can add even more stress on top of the usual worries. “I had my prenatal appointments over the phone,” mom Kelsie McKnight previously told Mom.com. “We go over any issues or concerns I have and I’ve continued taking all my prenatal medications — doing everything I can to stay healthy.”
So what causes pregnancy anxiety?
Worries about the unknown obviously can cause pregnancy anxiety. But other anxieties may arise from the changes your body is going through or being unsure of what the COVID protocols are currently.
Some of the stress you’re feeling may come from simply not knowing and leaving questions unanswered. Understanding what is happening to your body during the third trimester can put your worries in perspective. If you have concerns, call your provider and discuss your questions and concerns.
“While anxiety is not as immediately threatening as depression, it can be debilitating — and you deserve to feel happy and healthy,” Dr. Meitra Doty, a psychiatrist specializing in treatment for anxiety during pregnancy, told UT Southwestern Medical Center.
So if you find your anxiety is getting in the way of your daily life, or you’re concerned that you are experiencing more stress than is normal, it’s important to reach out to your doctor as soon as possible.
Anxiety symptoms you may experience as your due date nears
As your due date nears it’s likely that you’re kicking preparations into high gear. You’re getting the baby’s room ready, buying them clothes, and mentally preparing for their actual arrival. Even though this is an exciting time, it’s also often riddled with anxiety.
Regular anxiety symptoms aren’t too different than pregnancy anxiety symptoms. The difference is what the focus of your worries and anxieties are. Here are a few symptoms you might experience and different ways to work through them.
The inability to relax
Yes, nesting and preparing is a very real, very normal part of pregnancy, But if you find yourself buzzing about non-stop it’s a sign that underlying worries might be taking up too much of your energy.
To combat this try turning off everything that is overstimulating you. Take time to relax and engage in self-care. It could be something as simple as picking up your favorite book, listening to calming music, or coloring.
Excessive worry
Will I hold the baby right? What if I can’t breastfeed? What if something goes wrong with the birth? These are all legitimate questions you might ask yourself, but if you find that you’re fixating on the outcomes (which haven’t even occurred yet) it’s worth mentioning to your provider.
If you need help banishing these thoughts try thinking them all the way through and focusing on the more positive outcomes. It also is therapeutic to journal about your worries and release them on paper.
Difficulty sleeping
Great sleep isn’t something many moms-to-be get after a certain point. Yes, your sleep might be disrupted by running to the bathroom every half-hour or because you are having a hard time getting comfortable. But if you’re having difficulty sleeping because you can’t turn off the intrusive what-if worries that keep you up all night, it’s likely a pregnancy anxiety symptom.
Again, have a conversation with your provider to see what they recommend for getting quality shut-eye. Different over-the-counter medications may be available, but it’s important to consult with your doctor before starting any new medication.
Proactive steps to help quell mild anxiety during your third trimester:
- Take a childbirth preparation class
- Talk to your doctor about pain management alternatives
- Discuss delivery experiences with other parents
- Write out a birth plan
- Take preparation steps like packing your suitcase, arranging for help with your newborn, babyproofing your home, etc.
