Quick answer
Anxiety during pregnancy is common and treatable. When worry is persistent, hard to control or causes panic, an evaluation can clarify what's going on and start treatment. Counseling is often first; medication decisions weigh published pregnancy data against the effects of untreated anxiety. New York adults can be seen by secure video.
If you’re in crisis right now: call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911. Pregnant or postpartum and need support any time? Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA.4
Key Takeaways
- Anxiety during pregnancy is a recognized perinatal mental health condition.
- Counseling is often a first step, and the USPSTF recommends it for people at increased risk of perinatal depression.
- Medication decisions weigh pregnancy data against the effects of untreated anxiety.
- Anxiety in pregnancy can continue after birth, so planning ahead helps.
When is anxiety during pregnancy more than normal worry?
Anxiety during pregnancy is more than normal worry when it’s persistent, hard to control, disrupts sleep or daily life, or brings panic attacks. ACOG’s guidance covers anxiety and anxiety-related disorders during pregnancy.1 This guide is part of our series on perinatal and postpartum psychiatry in New York.
Perinatal anxiety is anxiety that starts, returns or worsens during pregnancy or the year after birth.1
Common themes
Worries often focus on the baby’s health, delivery, finances or becoming a parent, but anxiety can also be generalized or come as panic. People with past anxiety are more likely to have it return in pregnancy, which is a good reason to plan care early.
How are treatment decisions made in pregnancy?
Treatment decisions weigh the known pregnancy data for each option against the effects of untreated anxiety. Counseling carries no medication exposure and is often first. When medication is considered, ACOG’s 2023 guideline reviews the evidence, and decisions are individualized.5 Some anti-anxiety medications are controlled substances, which in New York means an I-STOP check.6
For after birth, see postpartum anxiety in New York.
What are the main treatment options in pregnancy?
This is a general overview for discussion, not a recommendation for any individual.
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Counseling (CBT) | No medication exposure; often a first step |
| SSRIs and SNRIs | Substantial pregnancy data for several; reviewed individually |
| Benzodiazepines | Used cautiously if at all; controlled and checked in I-STOP |
| Sleep and stress support | Part of every plan |
Sources: ACOG CPG 5 and NY DOH.5,6 Your psychiatrist can coordinate with your OB so everyone works from the same plan.
What good care looks like
Good perinatal care treats the parent as the patient and plans around the pregnancy or the baby. Here is how that plays out for this situation.
Anxiety pushed aside
Worry is dismissed as normal pregnancy nerves until it takes over sleep and daily life.
Evaluate and plan
Anxiety is assessed properly, and treatment chosen with pregnancy data and your history in mind.
Calmer months ahead
Anxiety eases, and a plan is in place for the postpartum period too.
Common myths, and what the evidence says
Myth: I should avoid all treatment until after the baby's born.
Fact: Untreated anxiety carries its own effects, and counseling carries no medication exposure.1
Myth: All anxiety medications are dangerous in pregnancy.
Fact: Pregnancy data vary by medication, and ACOG reviews the options.5
Myth: Anxiety will disappear after delivery.
Fact: Anxiety in pregnancy can continue or change after birth, so planning ahead helps.
What the first 90 days usually look like
Care moves in steps, and each change is checked before the next one. Your timing may differ, and that’s normal.
Evaluate
A video evaluation of anxiety, sleep, history and pregnancy details.
Treat
Counseling first where possible, with medication considered if needed.
Plan for after
A postpartum plan agreed before birth, including warning signs.
Ready to talk it through with a psychiatrist?
Schedule nowAnxiety care during pregnancy in New York
Adults who are physically in New York State can be seen by secure video throughout pregnancy, which avoids adding another trip to a busy prenatal schedule. With your consent, Dr. Farkas coordinates with your OB. The practice lists Aetna and Cigna as in-network plans; confirm your plan’s network status for New York care before booking. Self-pay patients receive a superbill and a written good faith estimate.
Questions to ask at your first visit
A clear plan starts with a few direct questions. Bring these with you.
- Is this anxiety disorder or typical pregnancy worry?
- Should I start with counseling?
- What's known about medication options in pregnancy?
- How will my plan change after birth?
- Will you coordinate with my OB?
The bottom line
Anxiety during pregnancy is common and treatable, and care can be planned to protect both you and your baby. New York adults can start with a video evaluation and build a plan that carries into the postpartum months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal to have anxiety during pregnancy?
Some worry is common. Anxiety that's constant, hard to control, disrupts sleep or causes panic may be an anxiety disorder and deserves an evaluation. Treatment is available, and getting help during pregnancy can also make the postpartum period easier. Talking about it early also makes it easier to plan for the months after birth.
Can I take anxiety medication while pregnant?
Some people do, after weighing each option's pregnancy data against the effects of untreated anxiety. Several SSRIs and SNRIs have substantial pregnancy data, and ACOG's 2023 guideline reviews the options. Benzodiazepines are used cautiously if at all. Your psychiatrist and OB can plan together.
Does counseling help anxiety in pregnancy?
Yes, counseling such as cognitive behavioral therapy is often a first step and carries no medication exposure. The USPSTF also recommends counseling for pregnant and postpartum people at increased risk of perinatal depression. Dr. Farkas coordinates with your therapist or can suggest where to find one.
Will anxiety during pregnancy affect my baby?
Untreated anxiety can affect sleep, eating and prenatal care, and ACOG treats untreated perinatal conditions as having real effects. That's why treatment is worth considering, not avoiding by default. Your psychiatrist can walk you through what's known for your situation. Every plan weighs both sides of that balance with you.
Can I be seen by video while pregnant in New York?
Yes. Adults who are physically in New York State can be seen by secure video throughout pregnancy. With your consent, your psychiatrist can coordinate with your OB so everyone works from the same plan. Video visits also avoid adding another trip to a schedule already full of prenatal appointments, and follow-ups can be short.
What if anxiety gets worse after birth?
Anxiety can continue or change after birth. Having a plan in place before delivery, including warning signs and who to call, makes it easier to act quickly. Follow-up can continue by video through the first year. Your partner or family can know the plan too, if you'd like them to.
How We Reviewed This Page
This page draws on primary sources including federal agencies (FDA, CDC, HRSA, USPSTF), South Carolina law and state agency notices, ACOG clinical practice guidelines and peer-reviewed research. It was written by Steven Lockhart and is pending clinical review by Gabriella I. Farkas, MD PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist licensed in South Carolina and New York. We review it at least every 180 days or when FDA labeling or clinical guidance changes.
What’s new: September 2026. Page published. Clinical review by Dr. Farkas pending before this page is marked reviewed.
References
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Screening and Diagnosis of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Clinical Practice Guideline No. 4. Obstet Gynecol. 2023;141(6):1232–1261. https://www.guidelinecentral.com/guideline/2836475/
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Perinatal Depression: Preventive Interventions. Final Recommendation Statement. February 12, 2019. JAMA. 2019;321(6):580–587. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation/perinatal-depression-preventive-interventions
- New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Insurance Programs. 12-Month Postpartum Period for Pregnant Individuals (23 OHIP/ADM-02). March 7, 2023. https://healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/health_care/medicaid/publications/docs/adm/23adm02.pdf
- Health Resources and Services Administration. National Maternal Mental Health Hotline. Accessed September 2026. https://mchb.hrsa.gov/national-maternal-mental-health-hotline
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Treatment and Management of Mental Health Conditions During Pregnancy and Postpartum: Clinical Practice Guideline No. 5. Obstet Gynecol. 2023;141(6):1262–1288. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37486661/
- New York State Department of Health. PMP/I-STOP: Prescription Monitoring Program, Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing. Accessed September 2026. https://healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/professionals/narcotic/prescription_monitoring/