Anxiety in Pregnancy

Fear Free Childbirth

In this episode of Fear Free Childbirth, I delve into the topic of anxiety and how it affects pregnancy. As someone who has personally experienced anxiety during my own pregnancy journey, I understand the importance of addressing and overcoming these fears and anxieties.

Fear and control are significant themes in anxiety and tokophobia, which can intensify during pregnancy due to the numerous unknowns and changes that occur. The fear of uncertainty and the feeling of things spiralling out of control can be overwhelming. I discuss how this fear primarily exists in our minds, until a real threat is encountered.

During labour, fear can arise if things are not going well, while anxiety is present before that point. Our fear radar can be influenced by society's fear messaging, making it challenging to distinguish between real threats and imagined ones. The past few years have been filled with fear messaging, but not all of it has been based on reality.

In addition to the fear of pregnancy and birth, I explore how fears and anxieties can manifest in other aspects of life, such as health, relationships, parenting, work, and our professional life. I explain how patterns of conflict around control and letting go can impact multiple areas of life, and how addressing and healing these conflicts can lead to positive ripple effects.

I also share my personal journey of overcoming fear of judgment and fear of losing social connections, which can cause hesitation in having children. I explore how fear of judgment and indecision can lead to procrastination in various areas of life, resulting in poor sleep quality and increased tiredness during the day.

So, if you're experiencing anxiety during your pregnancy journey or simply want to understand and overcome fear in different aspects of your life, this episode is a must-listen.

Here are some of the questions that I explore in this episode:

• How does the fear of uncertainty and change impact anxiety during pregnancy?
• What are some common fears and anxieties that women experience during pregnancy and childbirth?
• How does fear messaging from society affect our ability to distinguish between real threats and imagined ones?
• What role does fear of judgment play in anxiety around pregnancy and parenthood?
• How can conflicts around control and letting go impact various aspects of life, including pregnancy and childbirth?
• How does anxiety and fear of judgment affect decision-making and procrastination in other areas of life?
• What are some strategies or resources that can help women overcome fears and anxieties surrounding pregnancy and birth?
• What are some potential consequences of prolonged anxiety and fear during pregnancy, such as poor sleep quality and reliance on stimulants for energy?
• How can tokophobia, the fear of pregnancy and childbirth, impact a woman's journey and choices during pregnancy
• What can be done to increase awareness and understanding of tokophobia, and support women who are experiencing it during pregnancy?