Q&A: What can I do to control my anxiety while pregnant?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I just found out I'm pregnant (about five weeks) and find myself constantly feeling very nervous, anxious, and excited. I am worried that these feelings might affect a developing fetus. I can't fall asleep, have trouble concentrating, etc. I am so happy and excited about being pregnant that I can't relax. I'm already exercising regularly so are there other things you can recommend?

You can't hurt your baby with anxiety or stress, so that reassurance alone should help you relax a bit. Other than that, make sure there aren't other stresses in your life that need to be addressed, because you may be over-simplifying all of this by blaming all of your anxieties on the excitement of your pregnancy. Being pregnant is a great time to re-examine your life and your priorities, since you're now responsible for another person!

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