Pregnancy Fears – Causes and How to Handle Them

There’s nothing new about fear and pregnancy – almost all expectant women worry. Pregnancy fears may come in birth defects, the possibility of miscarriage, physical harm, and whatnot. Don’t worry; we are not antagonising pregnancy fears because we understand how natural it is to worry for the little sunshine who is about to make your life prettier and amazing. But, yes, it is true that pregnancy comes with many known and many unpredictable things, with many changes affecting your daily life. While some activities require vigilance, like avoiding heavy chemicals, heavy lifting, excessive exercising, strictly avoiding undercooked or raw meat/eggs/dairy, and alcohol, some are just propagated due to mere fears.

Scroll below to find some of the most common causes of fears related to pregnancy, top pregnancy fears, and tips on overcoming them.

Common Causes of Fears in Pregnancy

The health of the unborn baby is the most common cause of concern for many mothers-to-be, followed by trigger worries about health, childbirth, finances, and parenting. Hormonal changes, previous pregnancy experiences, uncertainty about the future, and the responsibility of caring for a baby can all contribute to pregnancy worries. This could get exaggerated by several triggers, which may make it an actual fear. Some triggers include:

• Back pain
• Abdominal pain
• Labour pain
• Lack of emotional and physical support from people around the mother-to-be
• Previous case of a difficult pregnancy
• History of miscarriages
• Some depictions of pregnancy on TV
• Reading about difficult pregnancies on the Internet
• Women who have overall poor health
• Women who do not have a stable income

Determining the root cause of fear is the first step towards combating it.

12 Common Fears During Pregnancy & Ways to Deal With Them

1. Miscarriage

With one in every four pregnancies resulting in a miscarriage, this is a big fear of pregnant women. In fact, this is one of the most common fears in their first trimester, when the largest amount of physical changes are occurring in the body along with nausea and morning sickness. The best way to deal with this fear is to talk to your doctor and other experts and discuss your concerns in an open manner (1). You can also do some research, but do remember to refer only to authentic sources, whether they are classes or websites.

2. Childbirth Fear or Tokophobia

According to a 2021 study, about 25% of pregnant women have childbirth fear, which is especially prevalent in primiparous women (2). When the fear of pregnancy and childbirth goes extreme, it is characterised by a health condition called tokophobia. It is a kind of thing that often goes undetected in daily life. Tokophobia can emerge in the teenage or early adult years, often following traumatic events, such as domestic violence or rape. It can also develop after a difficult delivery or labour. Those with a history of depression or anxiety are more likely to develop tokophobia (3).

3. Premature Baby

A common concern is the fear of early labour and the complications the baby will have to overcome due to being premature. However, only about 1% of all babies are born prematurely. When you go for your regular check-ups, your doctor will check to see if there are any irregularities and will intervene if there an issue is detected. Most babies born prematurely after the 26^th week survive, and babies born after the 30^th week suffer no serious complications.

4. Labour Pain

This fear has more to do with the mother than the baby. Usually, this fear stems from hearing horror stories from other friends or even on the Internet. If you are very concerned about the pain, then you can discuss your options with your doctor. There are many ways in which the doctor and her team can manage your pain during labour, and you can explore each option before you fix a plan for your delivery.

5. Stress Harming the Baby

With pregnancy comes not just fears, but also stress about a whole host of issues. From being able to accommodate a new member financially to knowing how to eat during pregnancy, there are many things to worry about. However, some mothers worry that their stress will harm their baby. While this is perfectly natural, you must also know that it is just as easy to reduce stress levels. Join a meditation class or engage in some prenatal yoga under the recommendation of your doctor and the guidance of an expert practitioner (4). You will soon find that your stress levels are more manageable.

6. Unhealthy Baby

Most mothers worry about their baby’s health after the baby is born. They could be born with a defect or a congenital disease that could affect their quality of life.

According to the CDC, 1 in 33 babies, about 3% of all babies delivered in the United States, are affected by birth defects (5). But, the upside to look at here is that the 97% babies are born without those defects. Do remember that most of these conditions can be detected during your routine check-ups, so you will be prepared in case of such a situation. With the strides being made in modern medicine, there is not much that doctors cannot rectify.

Birth defects in babies can be effectively avoided by taking some preventive measures, such as starting 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid supplements every day before conceiving, avoiding alcohol, smoking, and recreational drugs, maintaining a healthy weight, and consulting doctors about pregnancy planning (6). 

7. Hurting the Foetus

Mothers-to-be worry that they might roll over during their sleep, or have a fall, or be involved in any mishap that could potentially harm the baby. However, you must rest assured knowing that the foetus is enveloped in a fluid known as the amniotic fluid. This fluid not just provides nutrition to the foetus but also acts as a shock absorber. A regular fall or mishap is unlikely to affect the foetus, and your baby is sure to be fine.

8. Being a Good Mother

In today’s day and age, one of the biggest worries is about not being a good mother to your baby. Women worry about how they will know how to do things like changing nappies or feeding, or what they will do if their baby falls sick. While these fears are very real and natural, you must know that you will not be alone on your journey as a parent. Even if you do not have a partner, you can rely on family and friends to help and give advice when you need it. You also will have your doctor to ask questions to, related to the health of your child. Use the time you have during pregnancy to read good books on motherhood, not only to learn what to expect but to also allay any fears you might have about not being a good mother.

9. Lack of Nutrition for the Baby

This fear usually stems from morning sickness. The reasoning behind this fear is that if a pregnant woman is not able to keep food down, then the developing baby is not receiving enough nutrition for its proper growth (7). If the morning sickness is unmanageable, then you must get advice from your doctor. However, rest assured that the baby is getting the required levels of nutrition from your reserves, and while you might be feeling hungry, the foetus is most likely doing just fine.

10. Financial Changes After Baby Arrives

Many parents worry about hospital bills, childcare costs, and future expenses. With rising inflation, it is likely for people to worry about the financial burden after childbirth. However, it is not impossible to deal with. You can start by creating a realistic baby budget, reviewing insurance coverage, and focusing on essential purchases rather than buying everything at once. This way, you’ll have a plan to go forward with pregnancy.

11. Fear of Losing Personal Identity

Some women worry that motherhood will change their relationships, career plans, or sense of self. While it is true that pregnancy disrupts a chunk of your daily routine and plans, it is not impossible to recreate them. Losing personal identity can only happen if you let your fear be. What’s better? Maintain hobbies, stay connected with friends, and discuss expectations with your partner before the baby arrives.

12. Fear of Pregnancy Complications

Sometimes, too much awareness is the reason behind anxiety during pregnancy. Constant exposure to online stories and social media can increase anxiety. Limiting information sources to trusted healthcare websites and discussing concerns directly with experts in the field can help you stay away from unnecessary pregnancy myths and fears.

FAQs

1. Is it normal to feel scared during pregnancy?

Yes, it is normal to have a variety of worries during pregnancy. Common pregnancy fears and worries are often related to health, childbirth, and parenting responsibilities.

2. When do pregnancy fears become a concern?

If your anxiety related to pregnancy interferes with sleep, daily activities, relationships, or causes persistent distress, it is worth noting. Consulting a doctor without delay is a wise choice.

3. Can stress during pregnancy affect my baby?

Occasional stress is common, but chronic, unmanaged stress can affect maternal well-being as well as the fetus. Seeking support early and diligently following the stress-management strategies does help with pregnancy stress.

4. How do I manage my pregnancy-related fears?

Talking with your healthcare provider, attending prenatal classes, practising relaxation techniques, and seeking support from loved ones can help reduce anxiety.

While being pregnant can be exhilarating and joyful, it can also bring a lot of fears and concerns to the surface. The best way to deal with these fears and keep yourself stress-free is to surround yourself with a support system that has your and your baby’s best interests in mind.  A simple way of overcoming early pregnancy fear is to talk to your doctor about them. Your doctor will be able to reassure or prepare you to deal with some of these fears. Do not read up too much on the horror stories, especially the ones circulating around the Internet. Remember to surround yourself with positivity, and your pregnancy is sure to be a beautiful experience.

Also Read:

Rage in Pregnancy
Bad Dreams during Pregnancy
Fighting while Pregnant and its Effect

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Sources References

1. Tommy’s – First trimester worries

2. National Library of Medicine – Causes and Grounds of Childbirth Fear and Coping Strategies Used by Kurdish Adolescent Pregnant Women in Iran: A Qualitative Study

3. ACOG – Tokophobia: What to Know About This Severe Fear of Pregnancy and Childbirth

4. March of Dimes – Stress and pregnancy

5. CDC – About Birth Defects

6. American Academy of Pediatrics – 5 Tips to Reduce the Risk of Birth Defects

7. ACOG – Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy