What Is Perinatal Anxiety?

Perinatal anxiety is constant, overwhelming worry during pregnancy or after birth. This isn’t just “new mom nerves.” It’s a level of anxiety that hijacks your thoughts and body, making it hard to rest, focus, or enjoy life with your baby.

During Pregnancy

Anxiety can start before your baby even arrives. It might look like:

• Checking every bite of food or Googling ingredients late at night.

• Worrying endlessly about ultrasounds, test results, or labor.

• Feeling your heart race whenever the baby doesn’t kick right away.

• Lying awake at night rehearsing every possible complication.

• Tensing your body constantly, as if bracing for bad news.

After Birth

Once the baby is here, anxiety often shifts—but it doesn’t let up. It can show up as:

• Repeatedly checking if your baby is breathing while they sleep.

• Feeling like you can’t leave your baby with anyone else, even for a shower.

• Racing thoughts about every possible accident, no matter how unlikely.

• Panic attacks that come out of nowhere—sweating, heart pounding, shortness of breath.

• Trouble sitting still or relaxing because your mind is scanning for danger.

Symptoms of Perinatal Anxiety

Perinatal anxiety can include both mental and physical symptoms that last at least two weeks and interfere with your life. Common signs are:

• Persistent, excessive worry that feels uncontrollable.

• Restlessness or feeling “on edge.”

• Trouble sleeping, even when exhausted.

• Racing thoughts or inability to “shut your brain off.”

• Physical symptoms: rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea.

• Irritability, muscle tension, or feeling keyed up all the time.

• Panic attacks (sudden surges of fear with physical symptoms).