While pregnancy is often a joyous, exciting time in a woman's life, the last trimester often brings with it many other feelings that some women don't understand, and others fear.
Pregnancy-induced anxiety can manifest in any number of ways. During my own pregnancy, I had insomnia, lack of appetiite, panic attacks, mostly at night, and shortness of breath. I was scared of everything... what if I needed an epidural? Worse yet, what if I needed a C-section (both of which ended up being the case for me, and I had a happy and healthy baby boy!)? Would I be able to take care of my son? What if I couldn't breathe during labour (this was a major concern in my mind). And how much did labour hurt? Could I handle two hours of pushing or more?
Avoiding anxiety triggers
One important step in dealing with pregnancy anxiety is to try to avoid stimulation close to bed time. Stop eating and drinking caffeine and sugar several hours before bed (some sources even suggest avoiding them after lunchtime).
Watching television shows that wind you up (overstimulating an already hard-working brain) may help contribute to a lack of sleep, and should also be avoided. If getting "advice" (whether requested or not) makes you think even more about the things you are attempting to put out of your mind, be honest with those around you: explain that while you appreciate their attempts to help, or their advice, you really would prefer not to discuss the situation, as it only serves to heighten your anxiety. Good friends and family will understand.
Reading pregnancy books may also be something to avoid near the end of your pregnancy. While the information is very helpful in some of these instructional guides, it can also add more concerns as major topics such as post-partum depression, stillbirth, pain during labour and C-sections are discussed.
You may feel that, at this point in your pregnancy, its is time to just sit back and enjoy, and not obsess over what could happen, and what you can do about it. The truth is, the baby inside you is going to come out, and trained medical staff will do whatever it takes to ensure a healthy birth for you and baby.
You are not alone
It is also important to remember that you are not the first person to feel this way, nor will you be the last. Many women take the first 8 or 9 months of pregnancy to bask in the joy of the life inside of them, and the doting treatment of their partner, friends and family. Often, the realisation of the labour process, and the baby it will bring, only crop up in the last few weeks before birth (pre-natal classes often trigger a more realistic understanding of what is to come as well).
It is important that you discuss these feelings with your partner, so that he or she may help you through, and also contact a professional if the anxiety becomes overwhelming for you. However, in the majority of cases, pregnancy-induced anxiety disappears after the birth of the child. And of course, try to keep in mind that millions of women give birth each year, and while it is certainly one of the most difficult things a woman can do, it is also one of the most rewarding. Your body is built to carry and birth a baby, and your caregiver will be there to help you through every step.
Many women feel anxious near the end of their pregnancy. Loss of sleep, panic attacks and a decrease in appetite may plague even the most excited woman shortly before birth, as she realises the magnitude of what is to come.
Women should be sure to see their doctor, to ensure that they are not suffering from something more serious, but often pregnancy-induced anxiety is simply triggered by hormones, and will go away after the birth. Try to remember the wonderful experience you are about to partake in and don;t fret over what might happen.
Remember, you will be joining a covenant of mothers who have all gone through the same feelings, and in the end, you will be bringing a new life into the world.
Ashlea Langevin - Ms. Langevin is a freelance writer and currently works for the federal government as a Program Assistant in Ottawa, Ontario. She completed ...
Join the Conversation