Anxiety in the perinatal period

Anxiety is something we all experience from time to time. It includes both physical sensations and emotional reactions. Anxiety is a response to a situation we might see as a threat to us or a situation we feel we have no control over, for example moving house, being in a difficult relationship or giving birth. In these situations it's understandable to be worried and you may even find it hard to sleep, concentrate or eat for a brief period. These feelings of worry usually stop when the situation has resolved.
Click to the right to watch a video from Best Beginnings on anxiety.

We know that manageable levels of anxiety can be helpful in certain situations such as in emergencies or when we need to meet a deadline; we all have different tolerance to stress/anxiety. However if your feelings of anxiety are very strong or last a long time you need to access help to learn how to deal with it.

Perinatal anxiety is anxiety experienced during pregnancy or in the year after childbirth. You might hear it called:

  • prenatal or antenatal anxiety if you experience anxiety during pregnancy
  • postnatal anxiety if you experience it after giving birth
  • some women may have severe anxiety around childbirth also known as tokophobia
  • you may experience panic attacks
  • if your anxiety leads you to experience unwelcome thoughts, images, urges or doubts, or there are repetitive activities that you feel you have to do you may have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Many women experience anxiety during the perinatal period. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests that 13% of women experience anxiety during pregnancy, this is higher than figures for depression. Perinatal anxiety is less well known about, but far more prevalent that we had first thought.

  • Anxious
  • Frightened
  • Worried
  • Stressed/on edge
  • Unsettled
  • Detached
  • Strange (not feeling yourself)
  • Feel numb

  • Racing thoughts
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Constant worrying
  • Thinking the worst case scenario
  • Doubting yourself
  • Going over the same worries/thoughts
  • That other people know your are anxious and are watching you

  • Headaches
  • Unexplained aches and pains
  • Decrease in appetite
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Sweating
  • Stomach churning
  • Tight chest

  • Unable to sit and relax
  • Constantly on the go/pacing
  • Find it difficult to finish off one thing
  • Eat less (or more)
  • Being snappy/increased irritability

Need help right now?

Want to talk to someone?

We know that talking about how you are feeling can often be very difficult, however there is help out there, you do not have to feel like this. We hear that women often worry that they will be judged or seen to be 'not coping', this is a common misconception. Health professionals are aware of how common anxiety is during the perinatal period, and are able to support you and your family.

  • Pandas (Pre and Postnatal depression advice and support) have a free helpline from 9am to 8pm every day 0808 1961 776

Want to find support on social media and apps?

  • Baby Buddy is an app designed to look after you and your baby’s physical and mental health. You can download it online, or from Google Play or the App Store.
  • Pandas offers online support and information as well as a helpline

Want to talk to other women and families who have been through this?

  • Hampshire Lanterns are a Perinatal peer support organisation who have a Facebook Group.
  • Pandas support and information for people coping with pre and postnatal mental illness, as well as their families, friends and carers.

Want to read more about it?

Content adapted from MIND

Improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of expectant mothers, infants, children and young people throughout Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Area.

(N.B: The Family and Therapies team at ABUHB is NOT responsible for the content on the webpage links that we refer to in our resource sections and linked information to external sites. All information was accurate and appropriate at the time the webpage was created.)

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