Pregnancy is often painted as this glowing, magical season. And while there are moments of excitement and wonder, there is also a quieter side that many mums carry silently.

Pregnancy anxiety is far more common than people realise. It does not mean you are ungrateful. It means you care deeply.

I am a mum of two, and I remember this anxiety vividly.

The Constant Awareness of Baby’s Movements

From around 30 weeks onwards, there is a heightened awareness of baby’s movements. You are told to notice patterns. To trust your instincts. To go to hospital if something feels off.

While this advice is incredibly important, it can also create pressure.

I remember every single night before going to sleep, stopping everything to make sure I felt movement. If I did not, my mind would race. A small trick that often helped me was having a cold glass of water or orange juice and then lying still and focusing.

This kind of anxiety comes from love. From responsibility. From knowing that stillbirth rates have not reduced significantly over the years and that awareness can genuinely save lives. That weight can feel heavy, especially in those final weeks.

Anxiety Does Not End at Birth

Many people assume once the baby arrives, the worry disappears. In reality, it often shifts.

Protecting your newborn can feel overwhelming. Concerns about visitors, people kissing your baby, illness, vaccinations, and setting boundaries can all create stress.

Wanting space does not make you rude or dramatic. It makes you a parent learning how to protect something precious.

Body Changes and Identity Shifts

Another side of pregnancy anxiety is how your body feels and looks.

Clothes stop fitting. Stretch marks appear. Hormones surge. You may not recognise yourself in the mirror.

There is also the quiet fear that your partner may not love these changes the way you do. Or that you do not love them at all.

These thoughts are rarely spoken about, yet so many pregnant women experience them. Pregnancy can challenge your confidence in ways you never expected.

Fear of What Life Is About to Become

Then there is the fear of change.

Will I lose my freedom? Will I ever sleep properly again? Will I still feel like myself?

These thoughts can arrive suddenly, even during a wanted and planned pregnancy. They do not mean you regret becoming a parent. They mean you are standing on the edge of a life changing transition.

When You Are Having a Second Baby

Pregnancy anxiety can feel different when you already have a child.

I remember holding my first baby and sobbing. Mourning the fact that she would no longer be the only one. Worrying about how much would change for her. Feeling guilty for the time and attention that would soon be divided.

That grief is real. It deserves space.

And yet, with time, perspective shifts.

My youngest is now three years old, and watching my girls together is one of the greatest joys of my life. Giving my first child a sibling has been one of the most beautiful gifts I could have given her. Their bond is something I treasure deeply.

Reassurance for Where You Are Right Now

If you are feeling anxious during pregnancy, you are not broken. You are not failing. You are not alone.

Pregnancy anxiety often exists alongside excitement, love, and anticipation. Both can live together.

One day, you will look back at this season with softer eyes. You may even miss it, despite how hard it felt at the time.

A Gentle Invitation

Pregnancy is fleeting, even when it feels long.

My maternity and newborn sessions are designed to honour this chapter in a calm, supportive, and pressure free way. They are not about perfection or posing. They are about documenting the connection, the anticipation, and the love that already exists.

Many mums tell me they did not realise how beautiful pregnancy truly was until it had passed. Photographs become a way to hold onto that season, exactly as it was.

If you are expecting and would love to gently document this time or your newborn’s first days, I would love to support you through it.