The short explanation
Many women feel low or anxious during pregnancy, and it does not make you ungrateful or a bad mother. Hormone changes, tiredness, physical discomfort, worries about the baby and changes at home and work all play a part. But crying nearly every day and constant fear that something will go wrong are signs that this is more than ordinary ups and downs, and it is worth telling your doctor. Depression and anxiety in pregnancy are common and treatable. Talking therapy helps many women, and if needed a clinician can discuss treatments that are suitable in pregnancy. Getting support now also lowers the chance of struggling after the birth.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Previous depression or anxiety, a past pregnancy loss, difficult relationships, money stress, domestic violence or little support make it more likely.
- Sleep problems, loss of interest in things, poor appetite and feeling worthless are also part of the picture.
- Your obstetrician, a counsellor or a psychiatrist can help. Tele-MANAS, the government mental health helpline on 14416, offers free support in many Indian languages.
- Telling one trusted person how you really feel can help ease the pressure to seem happy.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you whether you have depression or anxiety. A clinician who talks with you can assess that and suggest the right support.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could what I am feeling be depression or anxiety in pregnancy?
- Can you refer me to a counsellor or psychologist?
- Which treatments are suitable during pregnancy if I need them?
- How can my family support me?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, or feel unable to keep yourself safe.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if you feel hopeless, cannot eat or sleep at all, or cannot cope with daily life.
Book an appointment soon
- See your doctor within a few days to talk about how you have been feeling.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Ask about emotional health at every antenatal visit, even when you feel better.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Pregnancy MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Prenatal care MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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