In plain words
Perinatal anxiety is anxiety that begins during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. It can look like constant worry, racing thoughts, tight chest, trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps, or panic. Many mothers worry about the baby's health, and some worry is normal. Anxiety becomes a concern when it lasts, takes over the day, or keeps you from eating, sleeping, or leaving the house. Anxiety in this period is common. It is different from the normal worry of new parenthood. Screening questionnaires can help your provider see whether it needs care, and help is available.
The deeper version
Fawcett et al. (2019), in a meta-analysis, found that anxiety disorders are common in pregnant and postpartum people, with generalized anxiety and panic disorder among the more common subtypes, and that prevalence is higher than for depression in some samples. ACOG Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4 (2023) recommends routine screening for anxiety in pregnancy and postpartum, using validated tools, with referral for evaluation when scores indicate moderate or greater symptoms. Perinatal anxiety often co-occurs with depression and is a risk factor for . Treatment includes psychotherapy, particularly , and in some cases medication chosen with the clinician.
Where it comes up
- Anxiety in pregnancyPregnancy: Mind and Life
- Postpartum anxietyPostpartum: Mind
- Leaving the house for the first timeSupport, Home, and Village
- Writing a postpartum plan (the plan that matters more)Getting Ready for Birth
- Therapy and medication after birth: what the options arePostpartum: Mind
What mothers here say about perinatal anxiety
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Sources
- Fawcett EJ et al. — Prevalence of anxiety disorders in pregnancy and the postpartum period: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2019
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4: Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum (2023)