Everything looks fine on scans and tests but I can't stop worrying. I feel guilty about not enjoying this more.
Prenatal anxiety is incredibly common — studies suggest it affects up to 15–20% of pregnant women, often more than prenatal depression. Having a healthy pregnancy doesn't switch off an anxious brain. Please don't feel guilty. Talk to your OB about how you're feeling; many hospitals now offer prenatal counselling and mindfulness programs specifically for this. You're not failing at pregnancy.
I felt this so deeply. My therapist described it as 'high-stakes love' — the more you love something, the more you fear losing it. I started a 10-minute guided meditation each night (the Calm app has a pregnancy series) and journaling helped me move worries out of my head. You are not alone in this.
Also worth knowing: anxiety during pregnancy is a hormonal response, not a character flaw. Estrogen and progesterone directly affect neurotransmitters. Being kind to yourself is not optional — it literally affects your baby's stress hormone environment. Do talk to your doctor.
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