Maternal Anxiety

 

It is normal to worry and feel anxious during pregnancy. There is frequently anxiety in regards to baby's health and delivery as well as your ability to be a good parent. But when these worries get to a level that negatively impact your life, family and relationship with your child you should seek help and support. Anxiety can also occur along side depression and you should get help for it as soon as possible as recovery is faster if you start treatment early. 

 

 

Maternal OCD

 

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by thoughts that cannot be controlled (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours or rituals that cannot be controlled (compulsions) in response to these thoughts.

 

Several reports suggest that women may be at an increased risk for the onset of OCD during pregnancy and the postpartum period. In one study of women with diagnosed OCD, 39% of the participants reported that their OCD began during a pregnancy.

 

Treatments for OCD in pregnancy are the same as those in non-pregnant adults and include cognitive behavioural therapy and pharmacotherapy. Women with severe OCD can become quite incapacitated so it is fundamental to diagnose and start treatment without delay. 

 

Tocophobia is a pathological fear of pregnancy and vaginal delivery in particular and can lead to avoidance of childbirth. It can be classified as primary or secondary.

 

Primary is morbid fear of childbirth in a woman, who has no previous experience of pregnancy. Secondary is morbid fear of childbirth developing after a traumatic obstetric event in a previous pregnancy. 

 

Given the negative impact and stress and suffering it may cause your should get an assessment as soon as possible in pregnancy so that appropriate treatment and birth plan can be made. This should involve your midwife and obstetric team and your psychiatrist and or psychologist.