Condition
Perinatal Anxiety: Signs, Screening, and Support
Anxiety during pregnancy and after birth is common, and it is treatable. It is not a weakness. This page explains the signs and how Materna screens and connects you to bilingual support. It is educational, not medical advice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
Reach out if for more than two weeks you have
- Constant worry or a sense of dread you cannot turn off
- Racing thoughts, or trouble sleeping even when the baby sleeps
- Panic, a pounding heart, or feeling you cannot breathe
- Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby (call or text 988 now)
Support helps, and it works. If you have thoughts of harm, call or text 988 right away.
Anxiety in pregnancy and postpartum
Some worry is normal in pregnancy and new parenthood. Perinatal anxiety is more intense, hard to control, and gets in the way of daily life or sleep. It can occur with or without depression.
It is treatable
Talk therapy helps, and when needed there are medications that can be compatible with pregnancy and breastfeeding. Getting support early helps you and your baby.
How Materna helps
Materna offers bilingual screening, a 24/7 nurse line, and warm referrals to perinatal mental health, built into the experience so nothing is missed.
Frequently asked questions
- How is perinatal anxiety different from normal worry?
- When worry is constant, hard to control, and interferes with sleep or daily life for more than two weeks, it is worth being screened. A short questionnaire and a conversation with a clinician can help.
- Can it be treated during pregnancy?
- Yes. Therapy and, when needed, certain medications can be used in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Your clinician can help you choose.
- Is help available in Spanish?
- Yes. Materna is Spanish-first, with bilingual screening, a nurse line, and perinatal mental health referrals.
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