Anxiety During Pregnancy

We all have experienced anxiety and worries before, especially during times of increased danger and stress. Pregnancy, while being a happy event, can also be associated with an increase in uncertainty and lead to anxiety. Here are some frequently asked questions about anxiety during and after pregnancy.

A: Pregnancy is generally a safe process for the mother and baby, but it can still cause anxiety. It is not uncommon to experience increased anxiety during a pregnancy due to the uncertainties that one may face. Feeling anxious is a normal response when one perceives any threat, danger or uncertainty.

​A: Symptoms of anxiety may include excessive worrying, difficulty in relaxing, increased muscle tension or soreness, irritability, poor concentration and/or sleep problems.

A: Stress and anxiety in small doses are unavoidable during pregnancy, but if left uncontrolled, they can lead to poorer outcomes for both the mother and baby. If the mother is feeling tense most of the time, this may affect her lifestyle. The baby's growth might also be affected by prolonged exposure to stress hormones.

​A: There is an overlap between the two, but consider seeking medical help if your symptoms are severe enough or the symptoms have continued for more than two weeks. Examples of symptoms to note include not feeling like your usual self and being unable to perform your usual roles at work or at home.

​A: There may be a very good reason for your anxiety, but if you are feeling anxious most of the time and for more than two weeks, it is recommended you seek medical advice.

A: Other types of anxiety disorders include:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: experiencing recurrent and unpleasant thoughts or images that lead to increased anxiety. For example, some women would keep thinking that their baby has stopped breathing and would check on them many times a day. In some cases, medication management may be required to control the anxiety.
• Panic Disorder: episodes of intense anxiety together with a cluster of symptoms such as palpitations, increased perspiration, and a feeling of losing control or collapsing. These symptoms may occur on their own or together with increased anxiety.
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: (although uncommon) a sharp increase in recurrent, intrusive thoughts of the birth, together with feelings of tension and even suppression of memories of the incident — stemming from a traumatic previous childbirth experience.

A: Get a proper assessment. You may know why you are experiencing anxiety, but our case managers and doctors are trained to assess you for any other possible factors which might increase your risk for having an anxiety disorder. We aim to offer treatment which does not involve medication but medication may be recommended in some cases.

A: We always consider the benefits and risks of untreated anxiety versus possible medication effects on the mother and baby. Based on your specific circumstances, an individualised treatment will be provided.

• Dr Buvanaswari P.
• Dr Cornelia Chee
• Dr Teng Jia Ying