(image: Georgia Anne)
When I had my son in 2022, I was overwhelmed in the best way possible.
He was blonde, blue-eyed perfection, and I fell completely in love with him. As he grew, I realised how much I enjoyed being his mum, so much that I knew I wanted to expand our family. That longing feeling stuck around until I asked my husband, “Shall we have another one? I know it’s early but I’m ready,” which he obviously was happy to!
In July 2023, I fell pregnant again with my daughter. The timing overlapped with a busy summer, including marrying my husband, Oskar, in August. With everything going on, those early weeks of pregnancy passed quickly, and my mind was completely preoccupied with wedding plans and family life.
But once things calmed down and the routine returned, something shifted.
When Everyday Anxiety Turned Into Something Bigger
By early autumn, I began to feel a growing sense of anxiety that didn’t feel like my usual ups and downs. By October, it reached a point where I struggled to leave the house.
Even thinking about stepping outside would trigger panic, and it could take hours to build up the confidence to even think about stepping foot out of the door. I was consumed by fear, anxiety and the panic attacks were frequent.
I’m naturally quite open about how I feel, so I told my husband directly that something wasn’t right and that the anxiety was starting to affect my mood, and I could feel myself slipping into depression.
The guilt that followed made everything heavier.
I felt like I was letting my son down because our daily walks stopped. I worried he wasn’t getting the best version of me anymore. And the more I thought about it, the more overwhelming it all became.
My husband, being the steady and practical person he is, simply said, “Alright then Georgie, let’s get it sorted.”
Speaking Up at My Midwife Appointment
When my next midwife appointment came around, he came with me. I have a habit of downplaying things, and he wanted to make sure I didn’t brush it off.
When she asked how I was feeling, he gently stepped in and explained what had been happening.
What happened next was something I’ll always be grateful for.
Our midwife, by complete luck, was a former mental health consultant. She listened without judgement, spoke to me with genuine kindness, and immediately discussed practical steps to help me manage the anxiety.
Before I left the appointment, she’d already referred me to perinatal mental health services.
Every single time anyone asks about midwives in our area, I always rave about her because of this. She was the best person for the job, for me.
(image: Georgia Anne)
Getting Support: Talking Therapies & Medication
Within a month, I had started talking therapies, and I was given a low dosage of anti depressant, sertraline. It was a huge relief to finally feel like something was moving in the right direction.
I continued with therapy throughout the pregnancy, and in March, my daughter, Freya, was born. Giving my children a small but beautiful 17 month age gap.
After the birth, a mental health consultant at the hospital sat with me to talk through how I was feeling. We discussed baby blues, hormonal crashes, and how to manage my medication over the next few weeks.
And honestly, the main emotion I felt that day was relief. She was here. Safe. Healthy. And I’d made it through.
Where I Am Now
Freya is now a lively toddler: walking, talking, exploring everything.
I’m still on my treatment plan, and I’m okay with that. The difference in how I feel is huge. I can leave the house without fear. I no longer carry the weight of guilt or the worry that I’m letting my children down. I feel lighter, calmer, and more grounded. I’ve learned so much during my time in therapy, the coping mechanisms to help on bad days, the affirmations to remind myself of how far I’ve come and most importantly: how to open up and be completely vulnerable.
I often think back on that period in my life and feel a sense of pride that I was honest with my husband, and that he spoke up for me and didn’t let me sugarcoat.
What I Learned And What I Want Others to Know
Mental health care is not a luxury. It’s essential, especially during pregnancy because it’s a time when so many physical and emotional changes are happening at once.
Reaching out to my midwife and being honest about how I was feeling was the most important step I took. It led to support that genuinely changed my experience of pregnancy and early motherhood.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, anxious, low, or unlike yourself during pregnancy, please know this:
You’re not alone, and you deserve support just as much as anyone else.
There is help available through midwives, GPs, perinatal mental health teams, talking therapies, charities, and NHS services.
Reaching out doesn’t make you weak. It’s the first step toward feeling like yourself again.
Georgia Anne is a UK lifestyle blogger who writes about motherhood, identity, and alternative living. After experiencing pregnancy-related anxiety, she became passionate about speaking openly about maternal mental health and helping others feel less alone. She lives in England with her husband and two children, and shares her honest reflections at georgiaanne.co.uk.