I was prepping for a podcast interview today. The doctor and podcaster reached out based on my MTHFR content on Instagram as she specializes on pregnancy. To refresh my mind, I was taking some notes about why so many pregnant and postpartum women struggle with anxiety.

And the more I wrote, the more I realized:

🚨 Most people have no idea how deep this goes. 🚨

Because it’s not just “hormones” or “lack of sleep” (though those play a role).

It’s a perfect storm of biological, psychological, and environmental factors—and if you don’t understand what’s happening, you’re left feeling crazy, overwhelmed, and like you’re the only one struggling. Or, worse, you don't find the right answer for you.

Since I had a head start with my notes, I thought it would make for a perfect email today to address why pregnancy and postpartum anxiety happen, how it messes with your brain and body, and what you can do about it.

If you or someone you know has been caught in this storm, keep reading.

The Hormonal Freefall: Why Your Brain Feels Like It’s Malfunctioning

During pregnancy, your body ramps up estrogen and progesterone to levels it’s never seen before. These hormones support the pregnancy, but they also directly impact your brain chemistry.

Then, almost immediately after birth, those levels crash.

This sudden drop in estrogen and progesterone is like slamming on the brakes while driving 80 mph. And when that happens, the neurotransmitters that keep you calm and stable, like serotonin and GABA, take a hit.

🚨 Low GABA = More Anxiety​
GABA is your brain’s natural “off switch.” It calms racing thoughts, helps you sleep, and keeps your nervous system in check. When GABA is low, your brain feels like a car with no brakes.

🚨 Serotonin Deficiency = Mood Swings & Worry​
Serotonin is your feel-good, stay-calm neurotransmitter. When estrogen drops, serotonin function drops with it, leading to mood instability, excessive worry, and feelings of dread.

🚨 Dopamine Disruptions = Motivation & Pleasure Issues​
Dopamine is what makes you feel motivated, focused, and capable. But postpartum, dopamine function can be all over the place which is why some women feel numb, disconnected, or stuck in a cycle of intrusive thoughts.

In short? Your brain chemistry gets thrown into chaos. And that alone is enough to cause anxiety.

But wait! There’s more.

Sleep Deprivation: The Ultimate Anxiety Amplifier

Pregnancy and postpartum wreak havoc on sleep.

• Third-trimester discomfort = terrible sleep quality.
• Newborn wake-ups = chronic sleep debt.
• Hormonal shifts = disrupted circadian rhythms.

And here’s why that matters:

❌ Poor sleep makes your brain more reactive to stress.​
❌ Lack of deep sleep reduces your ability to regulate emotions.​
❌ Sleep deprivation increases cortisol (stress hormone), making you more anxious.

If you’ve ever had a terrible night of sleep and felt on edge, irritable, or like everything was overwhelming… imagine that feeling compounded for weeks or months.

That’s postpartum life for a lot of women.

Nutritional Deficiencies That Make Anxiety Worse

Even if you’re eating well, pregnancy and breastfeeding drain your body of critical nutrients.

Here are the big ones tied to anxiety:

🥑 Magnesium: Supports relaxation and nervous system function. Low levels = heightened stress response.

🥩 B Vitamins (especially B6 & B12): Essential for neurotransmitter production. Deficiency = increased anxiety and brain fog.

🐟 Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Critical for brain function and mood stability. Low levels are linked to higher risk of depression and anxiety.

🩸 Iron Deficiency: Can cause fatigue, brain fog, and heightened anxiety.

These deficiencies aren’t just theoretical.

Many women who struggle with postpartum anxiety find that targeting these nutrients makes a massive difference.

The Gut-Brain Connection: How Your Microbiome Impacts Anxiety

Your gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters like serotonin, which means gut health = mental health.

But pregnancy, stress, and antibiotics can throw your microbiome out of balance, leading to:

❌ Higher inflammation levels (which fuel anxiety).​
❌ Lower serotonin production.​
❌ Digestive issues that create a stress response in the brain.

If you’ve ever had anxiety and stomach issues at the same time, that’s not a coincidence—it’s a two-way street.

Psychological Triggers: When Your Own Thoughts Work Against You

Pregnancy and postpartum bring massive identity shifts.

And with that comes mental and emotional stress that can spiral into anxiety.

🔹 Perfectionism & Unrealistic Expectations​
Many women set impossible standards for themselves—especially first-time moms.
(“I should be able to do it all.” “I should feel happier.” “I should love every second of this.”)

🔹 Previous Anxiety or Depression History​
If you’ve had anxiety or depression in the past, pregnancy and postpartum increase the risk of it coming back.

🔹 Intrusive Thoughts & Hypervigilance​
Many new moms experience sudden, distressing thoughts about harm coming to their baby.
(“What if I drop the baby?” “What if something terrible happens?”)

This isn’t talked about enough, but it’s very common. And for some, it can develop into postpartum OCD, where thoughts become obsessive and overwhelming.

The more stressed, exhausted, and depleted you are, the worse these thoughts can feel.

Social & Environmental Stressors: The Pressure Cooker Effect

You know what makes anxiety worse?

🚨 Lack of support.​
🚨 Financial stress.​
🚨 Relationship strain.​
🚨 Feeling isolated.

Pregnancy and postpartum come with huge life changes. And if your support system is weak, anxiety can hit even harder.

If you feel overwhelmed, unsupported, or stuck in your head, you are not alone—and it’s not all in your head.

How to Reduce Anxiety & Regain Control

If you’re struggling with pregnancy or postpartum anxiety, here’s where to start:

✅ Prioritize Sleep (as much as possible). Even naps help.​
✅ Target key nutrients (magnesium, B vitamins, omega-3s, iron).
✅ Support gut health (probiotics, fiber, fermented foods).
✅ Move your body daily (even 10-15 minutes makes a difference).
✅ Talk about it. Anxiety thrives in isolation.
✅ Get professional support if it’s severe. Therapy and medical support can be life-changing.

Most importantly? Know that this is common, and it’s temporary.

You’re Not Broken—You’re Human

Pregnancy and postpartum anxiety can feel like it’s never-ending, but it’s not a sign that you’re weak, failing, or “bad at this.”

It’s a biological, psychological, and environmental storm—and like any storm, it passes.

Your body is adjusting. Your brain is recalibrating. You will find stability again.

And if you know someone who’s struggling? Share this with them.

Because the worst part of anxiety is feeling like you’re the only one going through it.

In faith, fitness, and fortitude, Tom Nikkola, CSCS P.S. If you’ve been through pregnancy or postpartum anxiety, hit reply and share what helped you the most. You never know who needs to hear it.

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