logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2025
23m 34s

Q&A: Managing Anxiety in the First Trime...

VANESSA MERTEN
About this episode
During the first trimester, there is little external reassurance that everything is progressing normally. You do not look pregnant yet; you cannot feel your baby move. While ultrasounds and hearing your baby’s heartbeat are reassuring, you have very few prenatal appointments in the first trimester. Feeling nervous and worrying about your baby’s health is entirely natural. In this episode, we explore why early pregnancy can feel so emotionally overwhelming and share practical, evidence-based tools to help manage anxious thoughts. Whether you are experiencing ongoing anxiety or just the occasional moment of doubt, these strategies can help you feel more grounded, calm, and confident during the early stages of your pregnancy.
 
 
Thank you to our sponsor
 
New parents love the Pathways.org Baby Milestones App because it offers the support they need during those early days at home. The First Week Survival Guide has everything from safe sleeping practices to why your baby cries and how to address it, plus tips for feeding, diapering, and swaddling. The Pathways.org Baby Milestones App continues to support you and your baby through the toddler years with personalized guidance based on your baby’s birth date. You can even get a head start by adding your due date now. You’ll get expert-backed tips and video-based activities that can help your baby meet key developmental milestones. The best part? It’s completely free—no paywalls, no subscriptions, ever.
Download the Pathways.org Baby Milestones App and get expert-backed support from day one:
Apple Store
Google Play
 
 
Read the full article and resources that accompany this episode.
 
 
Join Pregnancy Podcast Premium to access the entire back catalog, listen to all episodes ad-free, get a copy of the Your Birth Plan Book, and more.
 
 
Check out the 40 Weeks podcast to learn how your baby grows each week and what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners.
 
 
For more evidence-based information, visit the Pregnancy Podcast website.
Up next
Oct 5
The Safety of Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Other OTC Medications During Pregnancy
Acetaminophen, best known by the brand name Tylenol, is an ingredient in over 600 over-the-counter medicines and has long been considered the safest choice for managing pain and fever during pregnancy. Recently, it made headlines after President Trump publicly spoke out against t ... Show More
37m 47s
Sep 24
Q&A: Tips for When Prenatal Appointments Feel Rushed
You only get a limited amount of time with your doctor or midwife during prenatal care, and a lot needs to be covered over nine months. This episode answers a listener’s question about feeling rushed at appointments and leaving with unanswered questions. Learn what a typical pren ... Show More
19m 13s
Sep 10
Q&A: Is It Safe to Get a Manicure or Pedicure While Pregnant?
Getting a manicure or pedicure can be a relaxing way to treat yourself, but many people wonder if it's safe during pregnancy. This episode looks at the potential concerns about nail polish chemicals, like formaldehyde, toluene, and phthalates, and reviews research on how much of ... Show More
21m 20s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2022
Week 26 Baby Blue Eyes
Welcome to week 26 of your pregnancy. 14 weeks to go! Find out how your baby is growing this week and learn what is happening in your body. Plus, get a heads up on what to expect at your prenatal appointments and a tip for dads and partners.   See a picture of what your baby look ... Show More
5m 34s
Sep 2
Why Your Baby or Toddler’s Brain Needs THIS: The First Years Explained Ep 119
Send us a textYour child’s brain isn’t finished at birth — it’s built day by day, through you.Whether you have a baby or a toddler, this episode will help you understand the “why” behind sleep struggles, sensitivities, and attention challenges — and remind you that brains are bui ... Show More
24m 48s
Oct 6
The Follow-Up: Managing Health Anxiety
When my son had a stroke and seizures as a newborn, every moment felt uncertain. Once things stabilized, that deep anxiety finally eased until the first time he got sick again. I remember walking into his room and feeling that old fear rush back. If you’ve ever felt your heart ra ... Show More
14m 10s
May 2023
First Trimester Meditation
In the first of a new series with meditations that are specific for each trimester of pregnancy this 9 minute guided meditation helps you rest your body, trust and know that your body and baby know what to do and visualize your baby's first few weeks of life as it grows and devel ... Show More
10m 35s
Jan 2025
Ep. 442 Jessica Zadeh: Before Birth
Functional prenatal and postpartum nutritionist Jessica Zadeh joins the podcast to discuss the third trimester of her first pregnancy in this before birth story. Jessica's nutrition masterclass is now streaming on Informed Pregnancy Plus. Connect with the guest: @holistic.mama.nu ... Show More
39 m
Sep 16
Is Daycare Really Helping Your Child? What Parents Need To Know Ep 121
Send us a textShould you homeschool through kindergarten or send your child to preschool? You’ll discover the truth about “socialization,” what’s actually happening in many early childhood programs, and how to confidently decide what’s right for your family — without guilt, press ... Show More
33m 51s
Sep 9
Pregnancy Stress Relief Meditation
Release pregnancy and prenatal stress with this guided meditation. This practice helps you release the worries of the day, relax your body and connect with your baby as you visualize yourself releasing tension and being held and supported by a cocoon of nurturing light for you an ... Show More
11m 40s
Aug 10
Q&A: Feeding, Feelings & Future Babies?
Episode 164: In this episode, Kristen and Luke open up about hitting some new milestones in their parenting journey—from sleepless nights to moments of joy. They catch up on Bravo’s “The McBee Dynasty” (warning: spoilers ahead!), dish on what feeding their baby has really been li ... Show More
49m 39s
Jul 2020
What You Can Expect from ‘What To Expect’
When Heidi Murkoff wrote the book ‘What To Expect When You’re Expecting’, she was pregnant with her daughter Emma. Her mission was simple: to help parents know what to expect, every step of the way. That mission has grown to include the world's bestselling pregnancy and parenting ... Show More
1m 57s
Sep 9
The 7 Stages of Play: Building Your Child’s Brain from Birth to Age 3 Ep 120
Send us a textMost parents think play begins with dolls and pretend kitchens — but the earliest stages of play start long before that… and missing them could mean missing crucial communication growth.From nibbling on their fists, to peekaboo and pretend play -- your child’s first ... Show More
31m 15s