31/07/2026
"You’ve wanted this baby for years. Why are you crying now?"
That was the question Nana’s sister asked when she found her sitting alone in her room.
She had long dreamed of this moment.
She had imagined seeing two lines on a pregnancy test.
She had pictured the baby shower, the tiny clothes, the first ultrasound, and finally holding her baby in her arms.
When the pregnancy test came back positive, everyone celebrated.
"Congratulations!"
"God has answered your prayers!"
"You should be so happy!"
But every night, after everyone had gone to bed, Nana lay awake staring at the ceiling.
"What if I miscarry?"
"Will my baby be healthy?"
"Will I be a good mother?"
"What if something goes wrong during delivery?"
"Can my body really do this?"
The pregnancy was planned.
The baby was deeply wanted.
Yet instead of feeling consistently joyful, she felt overwhelmed.
One day, she gathered the courage to speak to her midwife.
Instead of judgment, the midwife offered a warm smile and said,
"You are not a bad mother. You are a mother who loves her baby so much that you are worried about doing everything right."
At that moment, Nana broke down in tears not out of weakness, but because she finally felt understood.
Here is what every expectant mother needs to hear.
A planned pregnancy does not mean you will never experience anxiety.
You can love your baby deeply and still worry about the future.
These emotions can coexist.
Many pregnant women experience concerns about:
-Miscarriage or loss
- Labour and childbirth
- The baby’s growth and wellbeing
- Financial responsibilities
- Changes in their body
- Balancing work and motherhood
- Whether they will be a “good enough” parent
These thoughts are more common than many people realise.
So, what can you do if you are feeling overwhelmed?
- Attend all your antenatal appointments. Asking questions and understanding your care can help reduce unnecessary fear.
-Speak to someone you trust, a partner, family member, friend, midwife, or doctor. You do not have to carry every worry alone.
- Limit exposure to distressing content on social media. People are more likely to share unusual experiences than routine, healthy pregnancies.
- Prioritise rest, balanced nutrition, safe physical activity (if approved by your healthcare provider), and calming activities that support your wellbeing.
- If your worries become persistent, affect your sleep, interfere with daily functioning, or leave you feeling hopeless, please seek support from your healthcare provider. Anxiety during pregnancy is real, and help is available.
Dear pregnant mama note that:
-pregnancy is not only a physical journey.
It is also an emotional one.
So if you have been smiling in public but crying in private,
If you have been appearing “strong” while carrying heavy worries inside
Please know this:
-you are not alone.
-seeking support is not a sign of weakness.
It is one of the most responsible and courageous things you can do for yourself and for your baby.
Let us support one another.
Did you experience anxiety during pregnancy, even though your baby was planned and deeply wanted? What helped you cope during those moments?
Your experience may reassure another mother that she is not alone in what she feels.
Save this post for the days when pregnancy feels overwhelming, and share it with an expectant mother who needs the reminder that it is okay not to feel okay every day.
Photo credit: Getty image.