The Quiet Signs of Pregnancy Anxiety (That Often Get Missed)
Pregnancy anxiety is far more common than many people realise, especially for women who have experienced miscarriage, fertility challenges, a traumatic birth, or heightened stress in earlier pregnancies.
But unlike the dramatic version anxiety is often portrayed as, pregnancy anxiety frequently shows up quietly.
It hides in small moments. In thoughts you can’t switch off. In feelings you struggle to explain, even to yourself.
You might find yourself wondering, “Is this normal?” or “Why am I feeling like this when everything seems okay?” And because pregnancy is so often framed as a joyful time, many women feel pressure to stay positive or keep their worries to themselves.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not failing at pregnancy. You’re responding to a major life transition.
What Pregnancy Anxiety Can Look Like (Beyond Panic)
Pregnancy anxiety doesn’t always feel like constant worry or panic attacks. For many women, it shows up in much quieter, subtler ways.
You might notice:
Overthinking every symptom
Late-night Googling, checking and re-checking how your body feels, or worrying about the smallest change.A constant sense of unease
Not fully anxious, but not at ease either - a background hum that never quite settles.Difficulty sleeping
Racing thoughts, early waking, or lying awake feeling tense.Guilt for not feeling excited enough
Feeling like you should be enjoying pregnancy more.A persistent fear that something might go wrong
Even when there’s no medical reason.Increased worry about birth
Especially if you’ve had a difficult experience before.Feeling overwhelmed by appointments or scans
Or panicked in the lead-up to them.Avoiding planning ahead
Not wanting to buy baby items or talk about the future “just in case”.
None of these signs mean something is wrong with you. They mean something matters deeply to you.
Why Pregnancy Anxiety Often Goes Unnoticed
Pregnancy anxiety is often missed because it doesn’t always look the way people expect it to.
Many women are still functioning, working, caring for others, showing up. On the outside, things may appear “fine.” Inside, there may be constant tension, worry, or emotional exhaustion.
Pregnancy is a profound physical, emotional, and identity shift. Hormonal changes, body changes, uncertainty, and responsibility all intersect at once. For women who have experienced miscarriage, IVF, hyperemesis, birth trauma, or previous mental health challenges, the nervous system may remain more alert, trying to protect against further pain.
This heightened awareness isn’t a flaw. It’s your body doing its best to keep you safe.
“But Nothing Is Wrong - So Why Do I Feel Like This?”
This question comes up often.
You may hear things like:
“Everything looks fine.”
“Try not to worry.”
“Just enjoy it.”
And yet, your body and mind won’t settle.
That disconnect can leave women feeling confused, ashamed, or guilty as though they’re failing at something they’re meant to feel grateful for.
But anxiety doesn’t require a visible threat. Often, it’s linked to past experiences, unprocessed fear, or the anticipation of loss - even when things are going well in the present.
How Counselling Can Help With Pregnancy Anxiety
Pregnancy support counselling offers a space where you don’t have to minimise, justify, or push away how you’re feeling.
Support may include:
Talking through fears that feel hard to voice elsewhere
Understanding how your nervous system responds to stress
Learning grounding techniques to calm anxious spirals
Exploring past experiences that may still be influencing the present
Building emotional safety and self-compassion
For women whose anxiety is connected to previous trauma, EMDR therapy can be particularly helpful. EMDR supports the brain and body to process experiences that feel “stuck,” reducing their emotional charge so they no longer dominate the present moment.
Counselling isn’t about making anxiety disappear overnight. It’s about helping you feel steadier, supported, and less alone.
You Don’t Have to Carry This Quietly
Pregnancy already asks a lot of you - physically, emotionally, mentally. Carrying anxiety on top of that can be exhausting.
You don’t need to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out. You don’t need to justify your feelings. And you don’t need to cope quietly.
Support is allowed and it can make this season feel gentler.
Support Is Available
If you’re noticing quiet signs of pregnancy anxiety and feeling unsure where to turn, counselling may help.
I offer perinatal counselling in Tamworth NSW and telehealth support Australia-wide for women navigating pregnancy anxiety, fear, and emotional overwhelm.
When you’re ready, I’m here.
