Pregnant: How to Cope With Your 9 Biggest Worries

Pregnancy brings intense happiness, but it can sometimes cause a few worries – and rest assured, feeling anxious or worried during pregnancy is completely normal. Becoming a mum means huge physical, emotional and psychological changes.
We’ve listed the 9 biggest fears women have during pregnancy and we break them down for you…

Worry no. 1: I'm afraid of having a miscarriage

This fear is completely normal, especially when your pregnancy is wanted, or even long-awaited.
A miscarriage is the natural end of a pregnancy. It is fairly common, affecting 1 pregnancy in 5. In early pregnancy, the body is designed to naturally expel the embryo if it is not viable or is poorly implanted.
In 80% to 90% of cases, miscarriage occurs within the first 12 weeks. After this period, the chances of having a miscarriage become low. So the further along you are, the lower the risk!
So let go and trust yourself, because whatever happens, it’s not your fault. What’s more, having a miscarriage will absolutely not stop you from getting pregnant again.

Worry no. 2: What if my baby has a problem at birth?

It is perfectly natural to worry and to think about problems that might arise at birth. But remember that this remains very rare: neonatal mortality affects only 0.26% of births in France (source: INSEE).
The check-up scans throughout your pregnancy make it possible to detect any potential risk and to take the necessary steps to protect your baby’s health.
Don’t hesitate to tell your doctor about any family medical history. They will be able to give you the best advice on potential risks.

Worry no. 3: I'm too stressed…

Between the hormones, the tiredness and getting ready for baby's arrival, you feel a little stressed… This stress is all the stronger during a first pregnancy, because you are on a journey into the unknown.

Try to keep things in perspective and relax. Treat this pregnancy as the most wonderful thing that could happen to you!
What’s more, it has been shown that a healthy lifestyle, particularly in terms of sleep, diet and exercise, can drastically reduce stress levels.
Don’t hesitate to confide in those close to you to unburden yourself and ease your stress.

Worry no. 4: What if I don't get to the hospital in time?

What if I give birth in a rush at home, in a taxi or on the train…? Have these thoughts been on your mind ever since you got pregnant?

While it does happen very often in films, rest assured: in real life, it’s much less common!
On average, labour and delivery last between 12 and 21 hours. So you have plenty of time to get to the hospital before meeting your little bundle of joy. The best way not to be caught off guard on the big day is to learn to recognise the first signs of contractions. Ask your doctor or midwife for advice on how to spot them.
You can also work out how long the journey to the hospital takes. And if it reassures you, you can even plan a back-up route right now.

Worry no. 5: Labour is going to hurt, I'm afraid I won't be able to do it

Quick… I want the epidural!
First of all, how pain is felt during childbirth differs from one woman to another and, for the same woman, from one birth to another.
While some women feel almost no pain, for others it is unbearable. This perception of pain is often heightened by stress, which can build up when you feel overwhelmed by what is happening.
On the day, you can decide whether or not to opt for the epidural. Many pregnant women choose it to manage the pain better and give birth more calmly.
And remember that whatever happens, whether the pain is strong or less so, you will get there, your baby will be born and will fill you with happiness.

Worry 6: I'm afraid of feeling uncomfortable during labour

On the day of the birth, you’ll have to forget your modesty completely! Finding yourself in awkward positions, half-naked, in front of dozens of people isn’t always easy to handle.
Even if you feel embarrassed, remember that the medical team around you is used to it and isn’t there to judge you. It’s their everyday job.
The good news is that, with the intensity of what you are going through, this shyness disappears.

Another fear that mums-to-be have is even more embarrassing: the risk of pooing during labour. Yes, yes, you read that right. And it’s far from an isolated case: 80% to 90 % of women are affected. Once again, the healthcare staff are used to it and it’s completely natural.
But if it happens to you, whatever you do, don’t hold back. Pushing is essential to bring your little one into the world. And don’t feel too embarrassed. Once again, it’s all in a day’s work for the healthcare professionals who are there to take care of you.

Worry 7: I'm afraid I won't get my old body back

Worried about the effects of pregnancy on your body? Afraid of putting on too much weight or not getting your figure back?
Pregnancy is above all a physical experience, and the fear of losing control over all these rapid bodily changes can be very unsettling.
Be kind to yourself and accept that your body will need some time to recover from this experience. Healthy eating habits and regular physical activity can help you get your figure back.

Worry no. 8: I'm afraid I won't be a good mother

The fear of not knowing how to cope with their baby is very common among mums-to-be.
Like every parent, you will have moments of doubt and you will make mistakes… You will learn alongside your child.
This fear is legitimate. But rest assured, if you are asking yourself this question, it means you care about your child’s well-being.
Don’t worry: when your baby arrives, your maternal instinct will take over from your anxiety and everything will come naturally.

Worry 9: I'm afraid of forgetting something important for the maternity ward

Your due date is fast approaching and you still haven’t packed your hospital bag?
Don’t worry, Premiers Moments is here to help!
In no time at all, you can put together your newborn essentials set directly on our website, so your hospital bag is packed just as it should be. The Premiers Moments newborn set contains nearly 50 essential items for baby, selected by healthcare professionals.
And if you’ve already started packing your bag and are still missing a few little things, you’ll no doubt find them in our shop.

Now that we have cleared up all your worries, you can sleep more peacefully!

Dylan
Proud dad of three little ones and founder of Premiers Moments. Together with the whole team, I share our parenting tips here to support you, from pregnancy through your child's first years.