Prenatal Anxiety: More Than Normal Pregnancy Worry

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If you’re reading this, you’re probably dealing with a level of worry during your pregnancy that doesn’t really let up. You might be replaying worst-case scenarios, or just feeling on edge in a way you can’t quite shake.

If you’re in Irvine, Orange County, or anywhere in California and looking for support with anxiety during pregnancy, this post is for you.

What Does Prenatal Anxiety Feel Like?

A lot of pregnant people deal with this, but it doesn’t get talked about nearly as much as postpartum depression or anxiety after birth.

It can show up in a lot of ways. Feeling on edge or anxious most of the time. A sense of worry that’s hard to turn off, especially about your health or the baby’s. Racing thoughts and difficulty concentrating on anything else. Feeling irritable or agitated more than usual. Recurrent fear that something bad is going to happen. Trouble sleeping that isn’t just about being uncomfortable.

It often comes with physical symptoms too: a racing heart, rapid or shallow breathing, dizziness or feeling lightheaded, shortness of breath, sweating, tension or shakiness in your muscles, or a numb or tingling feeling in your hands, feet, or lips.

A lot of people get told this is just part of pregnancy and to push through it. If it’s constant, if it’s getting in the way of sleep or your daily life, or if it’s not easing up, it’s important to seek support.

If you’re also carrying grief or fear from a previous loss, infertility treatments, or a hard pregnancy, that can shape how anxiety shows up this time around. Therapy for reproductive trauma often ends up being part of this work too.

How Can Therapy Help With Prenatal Anxiety?

Working with a therapist who specializes in perinatal mental health can help you:

• Figure out what’s actually fueling the anxiety, whether it’s a past loss, a hard pregnancy before this one, or fear about birth

• Build tools to work with anxious thoughts as they come up

• Feel more grounded in your body

• Feel steadier heading into birth and into the early months after

Can EMDR Help With Anxiety During Pregnancy?

EMDR works with the nervous system, not just your thoughts. That matters here because a lot of this anxiety isn't just mental. It can be tied to a previous loss, a scary medical moment, or fear that's stuck in your body even if you can't quite put words to it.

There's a common misconception that EMDR isn't safe to use during pregnancy, or that it should wait until after the first trimester. Research doesn't actually back that up. Studies on pregnant clients who went through EMDR have found less distress and fewer PTSD symptoms, less fear around childbirth, fewer intrusive thoughts, and more confidence going into delivery. EMDR helps your brain process those experiences so they stop carrying so much weight.

Working With a Prenatal Anxiety Specialist in Irvine and Orange County

If you're looking for a prenatal anxiety therapist in Irvine or Orange County, it helps to work with someone who knows the perinatal period well.

I am Tannaz Alagheband, LCSW, PMH-C, a certified EMDR therapist and perinatal mental health specialist based in Irvine. I specialize in pregnancy-related anxiety, infertility, birth trauma, and reproductive trauma, and I offer in-person sessions in Irvine and telehealth throughout California.

FAQ for therapy for prenatal anxiety:

• Is it normal to have anxiety during pregnancy?

  Some worry during pregnancy is common. It becomes more of a concern when it’s persistent and gets in the way of sleep or daily life.

• What's the difference between prenatal anxiety and normal pregnancy worry?

  Normal worry tends to come and go and eases with reassurance. Prenatal anxiety sticks around longer and often comes with physical symptoms like a racing heart or trouble sleeping.

• Can EMDR be done safely during pregnancy?

  Yes, including in the first trimester. The idea that it needs to wait or isn't safe doesn't hold up against the research, which has found EMDR during pregnancy reduces distress and PTSD symptoms and builds more confidence heading into delivery. A therapist trained in perinatal mental health can adjust the pace and approach to fit where you're at.

Taking the First Step

If you've been thinking about therapy and aren't sure where to start, a free consultation is a good place to begin. We can talk about what you're going through, what kind of support you're looking for, and whether working together feels like a good fit.

I see clients in person in Irvine and online throughout California.