Is It Normal to Feel Anxious About Birth at 6 Weeks Pregnant?

I remember that feeling like it was yesterday…standing in the bathroom, waiting those three minutes before you can look, and then you see the two blue lines that change your world forever! Suddenly, you’re feeling so many emotions at once - excitement, nerves, happiness, apprehension, all mixed together.

You may have been hoping and planning for this moment for so long, and then reality hits…I actually have to get this baby out now!

And whilst you might have months to go before meeting your baby, it’s amazing how quickly your mind jumps ahead to the birth itself and all the questions and worries that come with it.

Is It Normal To Feel Anxious About Birth In The First Trimester?

If you’re feeling nervous about giving birth, let me start by reassuring you - that is completely normal. Most people keep their pregnancy news quiet until after their first scan, which means you've got quite a long time keeping any worries and nerves to yourself.

So, understandably, a lot of expectant mums and dads turn to Google or AI to ask the questions they don’t feel ready to ask anyone else.

During the first trimester, there’s so much going on physically, emotionally, mentally, not to mention all those hormonal changes! Add in the birth stories you’ve heard over the years, and the fact that EVERYONE and their dog seems to have an opinion on birth, it’s no wonder you feel the anxiety start to creep in.

Why Do So Many Women Start Worrying About Labour So Early?

For lots of women, they start worrying about giving birth a long time before it actually happens, sometimes even before they’re pregnant! (If that’s you, don’t worry, there’s plenty we can do to help.)

Our beliefs around birth are shaped by years of stories, experiences, conversations and messages we’ve absorbed, most of the time without even realising it.

Birth in the media

How many times have you seen a woman giving birth on TV or in a film? We usually see a lot of panic, rushing down the hospital corridor, screaming, the woman lying down on her back, legs in stirrups, being told to “PUSH!” Why do we not see calm births, where mums are totally in control, birthing in their own way? Because it wouldn't make gripping TV would it!

Then we’ve got newspaper headlines, social media, documentaries and the endless stream of pregnancy content that appears once your algorithm catches on, and it's hardly surprising that so many women associate birth with fear.

We grow up believing birth is dangerous, unbearably painful or something we need rescuing from. Yes, medical support and intervention can sometimes be necessary, but we shouldn’t automatically approach birth as a medical emergency.

This is why preparing your mind for birth is just as important as preparing your body.

If you've ever wondered whether hypnobirthing actually works or what it involves, you might find my article 'Why Birth Education & Hpnobirthing Matter' helpful.

Birth Stories Being Shared

As I’m sure you’ve discovered, as soon as you announce your pregnancy, everyone suddenly has a birth story to tell you! Your friend is telling you about her induction, colleagues divulging their three-day labour and you’re being told about your neighbour’s sister who had an emergency caesarean.

Most people mean well, but every woman’s body, baby and birth experience are totally different. Hearing negative stories can often do more harm than good. This is why I love sharing positive birth stories of all kinds, ones that went exactly to plan, and others who had to be flexible and change their preferences, but they still felt in control and empowered throughout.

Fear of the Unknown

When I pregnant with my first baby back in 2019, I was so scared of the unknowns of labour.

I had no idea what to expect, and worried I’d panic when contractions started because I couldn’t control what was happening. What will contractions feel like? Will I cope? What if something goes wrong? How will I know when to push? Do I have to accept an induction if I don’t want one?

Our brains like certainty and familiarity. When we don’t know what to expect, our minds like to fill in the gaps, often with worst-case scenarios. But, when you understand what's happening in your body during labour, how your hormones work, what your options are and how to support yourself, birth starts to feel much less frightening.

Birth isn’t about controlling every aspect of it. I help you to feel confident, fully informed and able to navigate birth however it unfolds.

Not sure where to begin with preparing for birth? Have a look at my Group and 1:1 Antenatal & Hypnobirthing Courses to help you feel more confident and positive about giving birth.

3 Key Things You Can Do To Feel Less Anxious About Giving Birth

If you’re feeling anxious about birth, there are some really practical things you can do to ease those worries and start feeling more positive and excited about meeting your baby.

Limit Social Media and Be Mindful of Who You Surround Yourself With

People love sharing horror birth stories when you announce your pregnancy, and while they mean well, hearing those experience can be frightening. The same goes for social media. Your algorithm quickly realises you’re pregnant and suddenly your feed is full of pregnancy and birth content, not all of it helpful!

Be mindful of what you're consuming and who you're listening to. Unfollow accounts that make you anxious, find positive and empowering birth stories, and remember that someone else’s birth experience doesn’t have to become yours.

If you're looking for some reassurance, I really recommend reading a few positive birth stories from families I've supported. They show just how different birth can look and that a positive experience isn't necessarily about everything going exactly to plan.

Understand Birth, How Your Body Works and How to Support It

One of the biggest reasons people feel worried about giving birth is because they just don’t know what to expect or what their bodies are capable of.

Learning how labour works, the role of your hormones, why your environment matters and how to support your body can make a huge difference. Understanding the maternity system, what might be routinely offered, and the benefits, risks and alternatives of different interventions can also help you feel more confident making decisions.

Knowing how birth works doesn't guarantee a particular birth experience, but it definitely helps you and your birth partner feel much more informed and in control as you approach it.

This is exactly what we explore in my antenatal and hypnobirthing courses in Hampshire. We look at how birth works, the choices available to you, and practical ways you and your birth partner can work together during labour.

Learn How to Deeply Relax

Deep relaxation is a skill which takes time and practice to develop. Waiting until you’re in the throes of labour to start learning how to relax is going to be quite tricky! The more your brain is used to it, the better!

When we feel frightened or threatened, our brain activates our fight-or-flight response, releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline. Evening imaging or worrying about something can trigger this response, which is why just thinking about birth can leave you feeling tense or anxious.

Regularly practicing hypnobirthing techniques, such as breathing, guided relaxation, visualisation and affirmations and other mindset tools can really help calm your nervous system and reduce your stress response.

The more you practise, the more familiar that calm state becomes, making it easier to access when you need it during labour.

If you'd like to start practising relaxation techniques during pregnancy, my Pregnancy Relaxation classes are a lovely way to take some time for yourself, connect with your baby and learn how to deeply relax in a supportive environment.

Good antenatal education and hypnobirthing don’t promise you a perfect birth. They give you and your birth partner the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to navigate birth feeling informed and empowered.

Invest in a High-Quality Antenatal Course That Includes Hypnobirthing

A good antenatal course should do more than teach you about the stages of labour and what you’ll feel in each stage. It should help you understand your body, explore your options, learn practical techniques and feel confident advocate for yourself.

It’ about understanding the benefits, risks and alternatives of different options so you can make informed decisions that feel right for you and your family.

Starting your birth preparation earlier in pregnancy gives you more time to work through fears, explore your birth preferences, have conversations with your birth partner, and practise relaxation techniques until they become familiar.

Ready to Feel More Confident About Birth?

If you're in the early weeks of pregnancy and already feeling nervous about giving birth, you don't have to spend the next nine months feeling this way.

My antenatal and hypnobirthing courses in Hampshire are designed to help you understand birth, overcome your fears and feel confident making decisions that are right for you and your baby.

I run small group courses in Hartley Wintney and private 1:1 sessions in the comfort of your on home, welcoming families from Fleet, Hook, Basingstoke, Farnham, Farnborough, Camberley and surrounding areas.

Explore my antenatal and hypnobirthing courses and see what feels right for your birth journey - I'd love to support you on your journey!