Pregnancy is often described as a time of endless joy and happy anticipation. And sometimes it is. But for many women, it’s also something else entirely. Pregnancy brings enormous physical changes, shifting hormones, and a steady stream of “what ifs…” and thoughts that feel impossible to quiet. You might notice your mind racing at night. You might feel a vague sense of dread you can’t quite explain. Maybe you’re constantly scanning for something that could go wrong, especially if you have experienced a loss in the past. 

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone, you’re not overreacting. What you may be experiencing is perinatal anxiety, and it’s more common than you may realize.

It’s normal to have some worries during pregnancy. You care deeply, and of course you want everything to go well. But when the thoughts feel intrusive, repetitive, or hard to control,  when your body feels tense and your mind won’t turn off, that’s different. When worry becomes overwhelming and unmanageable, it might be time to seek more professional support. 

Understanding what’s happening in your body

Anxiety isn’t just “in your head.” It can show up physically, tight shoulders, shallow breathing, a racing heart, trouble sleeping. In therapy, we can help you recognize these signals early and learn grounding skills that can calm you in the moment. Small shifts might make a big difference.

Working with intrusive or scary thoughts

Pregnancy can trigger intense thoughts about you or your baby’s health, or your ability to be a good parent. These thoughts can feel alarming and overwhelming. Using approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), we gently examine these patterns, separate fear from fact, challenge thoughts, and build more balanced ways of thinking. The goal isn’t to eliminate all worries or negative thoughts, it’s to reduce the spiral.

Creating a coping plan for high-anxiety moments

Everyone is different and everyone experiences anxiety in a different way. Together, we can help build a personalized toolkit for when anxiety feels out of control. That might include mindfulness practices, journaling prompts, boundary-setting, or ways to communicate effectively with medical providers and loved ones. Having a plan can bring a sense of control, which can help calm your anxiety. 

Making space for the identity shift

Pregnancy isn’t just a physical transition, it’s a profound identity shift that happens overnight. You may feel excited, but grieving at the same time. You may miss your old life while also looking forward to what’s coming. Therapy gives you space to talk about all of it without judgment. Both can be true.

Why Virtual Therapy Can Make It Easier

When you’re pregnant, even small logistics can feel like a lot. Morning sickness, fatigue, discomfort, unpredictable weather, it adds up. Virtual therapy can help to remove some of these barriers.

You can meet from your couch, in comfortable clothes, with water and snacks nearby. You don’t have to factor in commute time or worry about canceling because you’re too exhausted to drive. That consistency matters. Progress in therapy builds over time, and fewer obstacles make it easier to stay engaged. Virtual therapy can also be a great option for after the baby comes as well. You don’t have to worry about the dreaded “never wake a sleeping baby” advice impacting your care. 

Perinatal Mental Health Support at Birchwood Clinic

At Birchwood Clinic, our team includes licensed clinical psychologists (PsyD), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), and licensed clinical professional counselors (LCPC) with specific training in perinatal mental health.

Our goal is simple: to help you feel more calm, more confident, and fully supported during this transition. If you’re ready to talk, we’re here. You can learn more about our providers or schedule an appointment here, or contact Dr. Susan Bush, owner and clinical coordinator at 312-806-2140.

You don’t have to navigate this alone.