Pregnancy is often portrayed as a magical time filled with glowing skin, sweet anticipation, and happy baby showers. But for many people, pregnancy can also be a time of worry, doubt, and overwhelming anxiety. If your experience of pregnancy hasn’t matched the picture-perfect version, you’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong.

At Pasadena Perinatal Therapy, we see you. We understand that pregnancy is a complex emotional experience. We’re here to help you navigate it with compassion and clarity.

What Does Prenatal Anxiety Feel Like?

Prenatal anxiety can look different from person to person. For some, it means racing thoughts and worst-case scenarios. For others, it might feel like an inability to relax, fear of the unknown, or even dread. These feelings might be new—or they might feel like an amplification of pre-existing anxiety.

Common symptoms include:

• Constant worrying about the baby’s health
• Trouble sleeping due to stress
• Feeling overly responsible or hypervigilant
• Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach issues, or muscle tension
• Guilt about not enjoying pregnancy the “right” way

These thoughts and sensations can be incredibly isolating, especially if others around you expect you to be excited and glowing.

How Therapy Can Support You During Pregnancy

Pregnancy therapy in Pasadena can offer a space to process what you’re feeling without judgment. Our therapists specialize in helping people manage the mental and emotional changes that come with pregnancy, including fears about birth, parenting, and changes in relationships or identity.

We help parents:

• Understand the roots of their anxiety
• Develop grounding and calming tools
• Address perfectionism and self-criticism
• Cope with trauma or previous loss
• Build emotional resilience before the baby arrives

Whether your pregnancy is planned, unexpected, or somewhere in between, you deserve care that honors your emotional experience just as much as your physical one.

You Don’t Have to “Just Get Through It”

It’s easy to believe that if you can just hold out until the baby arrives, things will get better. But emotional health during pregnancy matters. In fact, addressing anxiety before birth can reduce the risk of postpartum depression and support a stronger bond between you and your baby.

If you’re feeling anxious during pregnancy, know that help is available—and it can be effective. At Pasadena Perinatal Therapy, our compassionate team is here to support you through this time. You don’t have to push through it alone.

We can work with you to bring more ease, presence, and self-trust into your pregnancy journey. Reach out to us today to get started.