Feeling anxious about your baby's health, not to mention the responsibilities you'll soon have as a parent, is a surefire way to ruin a good night's sleep. It's also perfectly natural – provided you don't spend more than a few nights tossing and turning. But if your anxiety is becoming all-consuming and regularly disrupts or ruins your slumber, it's time for you to find a better way to deal with it.
What you can do
Share your fears with your partner if you can – chances are he's harboring similar concerns. Communicating openly about your anxiety can help you both feel (and sleep) better. You can turn to friends or family members for support, too. Other moms-to-be are another crucial support network, as they're likely experiencing the same worries you are. (To connect with other pregnant women online, visit BabyCenter's Community.)
Talking to your doctor or midwife can also help you feel better. If you're extremely anxious or have a specific reason to be concerned about your baby's health, your healthcare provider may schedule an ultrasound to evaluate your baby. Although an ultrasound can't detect every potential problem, you may find it comforting to see even a fuzzy outline of your growing baby.
You can also try these tips for reducing stress:
Practice saying "no." Now's as good a time as any to get rid of the notion that you can do it all. You can't, so learn to let your superwoman ideals go. Make slowing down a priority, and get used to the idea of asking your friends and loved ones for help.
Cut back on chores – and use that time to put your feet up, nap, or read a book.
Take advantage of sick days or vacation time whenever possible. Spending a day – or even an afternoon – resting at home will help you get through a tough week.
Try deep-breathing exercises, yoga, or stretching.
Get regular exercise such as swimming or walking.
Do your best to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet so you have the physical and emotional energy you need.
Go to bed early. Your body is working overtime to nourish your growing baby and needs all the sleep it can get.
Limit "information overload." Reading pregnancy books, surfing pregnancy websites, and listening to your friends' pregnancy stories are fine – but don't delve into all the scary things that might (but probably won't) happen during your pregnancy. Focus instead on how you're feeling and what's happening to you now.
Join (or create!) a support group. If you're coping with a difficult situation, spending time with others in the same boat can ease your burden. Many women create support networks online. Visit our pregnancy birth clubs to connect with other moms-to-be grappling with similar issues.
If you're under unusual stress or feel like you're at your breaking point, ask your healthcare provider to refer you to a therapist, who can better assess how strong your anxiety has become and what you may need to do to feel better. Listen openly to what he or she has to say. Getting help during pregnancy will protect you and your baby from unnecessary risks and reduce your chances of postpartum anxiety and depression.