Home › Pregnancy

Looking After Your Mental Health During Pregnancy

Anxiety and low mood are common in pregnancy. Know the signs and where to get support.

Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.

Pregnancy is often described as a happy time, but many women also feel anxious, low or overwhelmed. Around one in five women experiences depression or anxiety during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. It is common, it is treatable, and it is nothing to be ashamed of.

Signs to look out for

• Feeling sad, hopeless or tearful most days
• Constant worry, racing thoughts or panic that is hard to control
• Loss of interest in things you normally enjoy
• Trouble sleeping beyond normal pregnancy discomfort, or changes in appetite
• Irritability, anger or feeling numb
• Difficulty bonding with the pregnancy, or feeling guilty about not feeling happy
• Repeated, unwanted frightening thoughts or urges to check or repeat things (a sign of anxiety or obsessive-compulsive symptoms)
• Intense fear of giving birth

Tiredness and mood swings are part of normal pregnancy. It is worth seeking help if feelings last for two weeks or more, or get in the way of your daily life.

Common conditions

• Depression: low mood, loss of interest and low energy that persists
• Anxiety and panic: constant worry, a racing heart and a sense of dread
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder: intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviours
• Post-traumatic stress, for example after a previous traumatic birth, loss or event
• Tokophobia: an intense fear of childbirth
• Existing conditions such as bipolar disorder, an eating disorder or schizophrenia, which need specialist support and planning

What can raise the risk

Anyone can be affected. It is more likely if you have had depression or anxiety before, a previous pregnancy loss or traumatic birth, a difficult relationship or financial stress, little support, a hard pregnancy with severe sickness or complications, or an unplanned pregnancy. Having risk factors does not mean you will be affected, and many women without them are.

What can help

• Talk to your partner, family or friends about how you feel. You do not have to cope alone.
• Tell your midwife or doctor at your next appointment. They can offer support and treatment, and may ask you questions about your mood at routine visits. Be honest. It will not lead to your baby being taken away.
• Talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy, are effective and safe in pregnancy.
• Keep gently active, eat regularly and protect your sleep as much as you can. See our guide to safe exercise in pregnancy.
• Join a support group or antenatal class, in person or online, where you can meet others.
• Try relaxation, breathing exercises, yoga or mindfulness.
• Limit time on social media and news if they make you more anxious, and avoid comparing your pregnancy with others.
• Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, which can make things worse.

Medicine in pregnancy

Do not stop any prescribed medicine on your own. Stopping suddenly can make you unwell or cause withdrawal symptoms. If you take medication for a mental health condition, speak to your doctor, ideally before pregnancy or as early as possible. For some women, the safest option is to continue treatment, because untreated illness can also affect the pregnancy. Your doctor will weigh the risks and benefits with you.

Fear of childbirth

Many women feel nervous about labour, and some are very afraid. Ask your midwife about antenatal classes, a birth options discussion with a doctor or counsellor, and support such as a doula. Understanding what to expect can ease fear. Our guides to the stages of labour and pain relief in labour are a good start.

If you have had a loss or a difficult birth before

A previous miscarriage, stillbirth or traumatic birth can bring up worry or flashbacks in a new pregnancy. Tell your midwife. You may be offered extra appointments, specialist support or counselling.

Planning for after the birth

Mental health problems in pregnancy raise the chance of difficulties after birth, so plan ahead. Talk to your midwife about how you will get support, who can help at home and how to recognise the signs of postnatal depression. See our guide to baby blues and postnatal depression.

If you are not safe at home

Domestic abuse can start or get worse in pregnancy. If anyone is hurting or controlling you, tell your midwife or doctor privately. You are not to blame and help is available. You can also contact a national helpline, such as the National Domestic Violence Hotline in the US (1-800-799-7233), the National Domestic Abuse Helpline in the UK (0808 2000 247) or 1800RESPECT in Australia (1800 737 732).

If you feel unsafe

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your doctor, your local emergency number or a crisis service straight away. If you are in immediate danger, call your emergency number: 911 in the US and Canada, 999 in the UK and Ireland, or 000 in Australia. You can also reach a crisis line at any time:

• US and Canada: call or text 988
• UK and Ireland: Samaritans, 116 123 (free)
• Australia: Lifeline, 13 11 14

Telling someone is not a sign of weakness. It is the first step towards feeling better.

This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.