Anxiety and low mood in pregnancy: where to get help

If your life is at risk, call your emergency number or go to A&E or the ER.

• UK: call 111 and choose the mental health option, or ask for an urgent GP appointment
• UK: Samaritans, 116 123, free at any time
• UK, under 19: Childline, 0800 1111
• US: call or text 988
• US: National Maternal Mental Health Hotline, 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262). Free, confidential and open 24/7, by phone, text or chat, in English and Spanish

You’re far from alone. A 2021 study of worries posted on Reddit’s r/BabyBumps found the biggest group was about the baby, especially pregnancy loss and whether the baby was okay. Next came people’s own health, then antenatal care, including procedures and childbirth. Feeling unprepared came up too.

The NHS says some people get depression or anxiety for the first time during pregnancy. Speak to your maternity unit or GP if you’re worried about your mental health, or if stress, anxiety or low mood are affecting your daily life. In the US, talk to your ob-gyn or midwife.

Talking to a friend, a relative or your midwife can help. Treatments include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and sometimes antidepressants, at the lowest dose that helps.

Don’t stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor. If you have a long-term mental health condition, you may be referred to a specialist perinatal mental health service.

Comments about your bump, your choices or your baby’s sex come up a lot on pregnancy forums, and they can wear you down. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. If it’s adding to your worry, tell your midwife or doctor. If it’s someone at work, see your rights at work.

This section is general support rather than medical guidance. If a comment has left you worried about something specific, these pages may help: bump size, coffee and miscarriage risk.