Pregnancy, Anxiety and Discomfort: Finding Calm in the Changes
Pregnancy is extraordinary. It carries hope, anticipation and deep love — and it can also carry anxiety, uncertainty and physical discomfort.
So many women tell me they weren’t quite prepared for the emotional intensity of pregnancy. Even when a baby is longed for, even when everything is progressing well, there can still be worry.
And that is completely human.
Pregnancy Anxiety — Why It Happens
From the moment you see that positive test, your nervous system shifts.
You may notice:
Racing thoughts, especially at night
Fear before scans or appointments
Worries about symptoms (or lack of them)
A heightened sense of responsibility
Difficulty switching off
In the first trimester especially, anxiety can feel amplified. There’s so much happening internally, and yet very little feels visible or certain.
By the second trimester, as your body changes more obviously, new thoughts can emerge — about birth, about your changing shape, about how life will look once your baby arrives.
Anxiety in pregnancy does not mean you’re ungrateful. It means you care.
The Physical Discomforts of Pregnancy
Your body is working constantly to grow new life. That is incredible — and it can be uncomfortable.
Common experiences include:
Nausea and exhaustion in early pregnancy
Headaches or tension
Back ache and pelvic discomfort
Heartburn and digestive changes
Sleep disturbance
Swelling or a feeling of heaviness
When physical discomfort combines with emotional sensitivity, it can feel overwhelming. That’s often when women realise they need more than reassurance — they need tools.
Gentle Support Through Self-Hypnosis
This is where guided relaxation can make such a difference.
On my website, I offer downloadable self-help recordings designed specifically for pregnancy:
Pregnancy First Trimester Recording
Created to support you through those early weeks up to your 12-week scan. This recording focuses on calming anxiety, supporting trust in your body, and helping you feel emotionally steadier during a time that can feel fragile.
Pregnancy Second Trimester Recording
Designed to help you remain grounded and relaxed as your pregnancy progresses, easing tension and helping you feel connected and confident as your baby grows.
Deep Relaxation Recording
A soothing general relaxation recording that you can use at any stage of pregnancy — especially helpful before sleep or whenever anxiety feels heightened.
Each recording is an MP3 download, so you can listen in the comfort of your own home, as often as you need. Many women tell me they begin to associate the recording with safety and calm — and their body responds more quickly each time they press play.
Why Relaxation Matters in Pregnancy
When your body relaxes:
Your breathing deepens
Muscular tension softens
Stress hormones reduce
Your mind becomes clearer
Pregnancy isn’t about eliminating every worry — it’s about creating enough calm that worry doesn’t take over.
Small, consistent moments of deep relaxation can gently shift how you experience these months.
A Gentle Pregnancy Affirmation
You might like to read this slowly, or even record it in your own voice:
I trust my body and the quiet wisdom within it.
My body knows how to nurture and grow my baby.
I release fear and soften into calm.
Each day, my baby and I are supported.
I am safe. I am steady. I am enough.
References & Professional Sources
The information within this article is informed by guidance and patient resources from:
NHS – Mental health in pregnancy and common physical symptoms
Tommy’s – Emotional wellbeing and anxiety during pregnancy
Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – Physical changes and maternal wellbeing guidance
Mind – Anxiety symptoms and relaxation techniques
This content is also supported by established research in perinatal mental health, nervous system regulation and relaxation-based therapeutic approaches, alongside my professional experience supporting women through fertility and pregnancy.
