I Didn't Tell Anyone...I Had Prenatal Anxiety

I Didn't Tell Anyone...I Had Prenatal Anxiety

“Is that car behind me following me?”

I would ask myself, every time I made a turn on the way home and someone behind me was going the same way. I was often late, driving around to make sure I “lost” the car behind me. After all, I had read that scary news article about the pregnant woman who was attacked,

and that could happen to me too at 9 months pregnant.

“Did I forget to organize the 3-6 month clothing box yesterday?”

I wondered, suddenly feeling a pit of fear in my stomach that someone would think I was an unfit mother because the clothing wasn't all hung up and folded and put away perfectly.

I carefully hid all the fears, all the compulsions, all the signs of severe anxiety during pregnancy – because the anxiety made me afraid to admit it.

I didn't tell my friends, my midwife, or even my husband about the prenatal anxiety I was experiencing.

I'm the tough one. I'm the strong one. I'm the one who can do anything, the one who has grit. I'm not supposed to be afraid of anything.

The current research says that 15-20% of new mothers experience prenatal anxiety, but how many like me are out there who were afraid to come forward?

I'm pleased to say that I finally did come forward after my baby was born,

I got help, and I got better.

But I know there are others out there who haven't yet.

There is hope for you.

You can heal from prenatal anxiety (it's classified under postpartum anxiety, but it is possible for it to begin during pregnancy).

Find answers and statistics on prenatal anxiety here.

Talk to your partner. Talk to your doctor or midwife. It's scary and you will feel vulnerable, but you owe it to yourself and your baby to take the first step and get yourself healthy again so you can truly enjoy this beautiful life you were given!

Our

postpartum doulas

are trained to detect the symptoms of prenatal anxiety and other mood disorders and can help you find the resources you need to get better.

We promise to listen to you and always take you seriously.