By Cradle Therapy · Reviewed by Mügé Tiritoğlu, RSW ·
Pregnancy can bring questions about birth, health, work, money and how life will change. Sometimes worry takes up more space than you want it to. You do not need to decide whether it is “serious enough” before talking with someone.
Pregnancy anxiety, prenatal anxiety and antenatal anxiety are terms you may encounter when looking for information about anxiety before birth. They should not be used as a diagnosis based on a few feelings or an online checklist.
When worry starts affecting daily life
BC Women’s publishes a self-care guide on anxiety during pregnancy and after birth. It describes patterns of anxiety and support options. If worry is persistent, distressing, or affecting sleep and everyday activities, discuss it with your maternity-care provider. They can help assess your needs and the right next steps. BC Reproductive Mental Health anxiety guide.
You could say: “I keep getting caught in worry, and it is affecting my day. Can we talk about support?” There is no requirement to use clinical language.
Talking with your care team
Before an appointment, you could note what you want help with: the worries that recur, what they interrupt, questions about birth and any practical pressures around you. Bring that information directly to your care provider rather than entering it into a public website form.
BC Women’s Provincial Reproductive Mental Health Services lists care and referral information. A referral from a healthcare provider is required for its outpatient clinic. Your physician, nurse practitioner or midwife can discuss whether a referral is appropriate. Provincial Reproductive Mental Health Services.
How pregnancy counselling fits
Perinatal therapy and pregnancy counselling can give you space to discuss what is making this period difficult. At Cradle Therapy, sessions can focus on expectations, relationships, boundaries, identity and preparing emotionally for birth and postpartum life.
Counselling can complement maternity care. Your care team remains the place to discuss medical concerns, medication questions or urgent symptoms.
Planning a first conversation
You might want to ask: Does this approach fit what I am looking for? How do online sessions work? Can we discuss the pressures around me as well as my feelings? The consultation is a chance to ask those questions before deciding about counselling.
Mügé Tiritoğlu, RSW, offers virtual counselling for adults physically located in BC. Sessions are $150 CAD for 50 minutes. You can review fees and join the waitlist for consultation availability.
For immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Call or text 9-8-8 for suicide crisis support. See BC crisis resources for other immediate support.
General information, not a diagnosis or individualized clinical advice. For immediate danger, call 9-1-1. For suicide crisis support, call or text 9-8-8.