Risks to fetus include: miscarriage, small head in baby, low apgar scores, IUGR,
hypertension in preg related to anxiety can increase risk of preeclampsia which can cause all of the above problems AND worsen anxiety as well and in worse cases cause death of fetus and possibly mother. If you have hypertension OR have had an increase in BP during your pg...you need to be especially careful with the anxiety.
There are a number of other risks to babies if pg mothers leave depression / anxiety untreated. There are several links online.
Here is a couple:
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/2004/Jan/vol50-j ... ical-1.asp
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... i_69386697
Now I had pg hypertension, placental abruption, IUGR, Low amniotic fluid, small, placenta and cord, Ava has a small head, not even on the chart measurment....she is less than the 5th percentile. How much of it was related to anxiety, I dont know but I am sure it is all related and I sometimes think if my anxiety and bp was better treated, I could have a possible prevented some of the problems I had. I also think had I not had ativa to take during my attacks, my BP would have stayed VERY elevated possibly causing problems much worse than I had.
Also, you often see anxiety as a symptom of depression, I think in many cases it is the other way around...I think depression too often is a result of untreated anxiety. Now that does not mean I think everyone experiencing anxiety should start popping benzoz, I dont think that at all. But during pg, especially with HG it is hard to pinpoint anxiety and the hormonal changes does not help matters so if needed I think pg woman should treat their anxiety...for me and many SSRIs just do not do it, prevent anxiety I mean.
Feel free to email or IM me at anytime.
Jen