Week 18 • Second Trimester
Anxiety & Worry at Week 18
Excessive worrying, nervousness, fear
🔍 What Causes Anxiety & Worry at Week 18?
- •Hormonal changes
- •Fear about pregnancy outcome
- •Worry about baby's health
- •Concerns about labor pain
- •Financial stress
- •Life changes ahead
- •Previous pregnancy loss
- •Feeling out of control
✓ Normal Signs
- ✓Occasional worry
- ✓Nervousness about appointments
- ✓Concerns about birth
- ✓Manageable anxiety
⚠ Concerning Signs
- ⚠Constant, uncontrollable worry
- ⚠Panic attacks
- ⚠Can't sleep from anxiety
- ⚠Physical symptoms (rapid heart rate)
- ⚠Avoiding activities
💊 Relief Strategies
- ✓Prenatal yoga and meditation
- ✓Deep breathing exercises
- ✓Share concerns with provider
- ✓Join support groups
- ✓Limit anxiety-triggering content
- ✓Exercise regularly
- ✓Talk to partner/friends
- ✓Professional therapy
- ✓Limit caffeine
- ✓Adequate sleep
🏥 When to Call Your Doctor
Contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- ⚠Panic attacks
- ⚠Anxiety preventing daily activities
- ⚠Can't sleep from worry
- ⚠Physical symptoms (racing heart, shortness of breath)
- ⚠Thoughts of self-harm
- ⚠Anxiety worsening despite coping strategies