Heightened anxiety while pregnant?

Just within the past year or so I've gotten past a lot of anxiety issues. I used to be painfully shy, couldn't look strangers in the eye, couldn't handle crowded areas, and could not talk on the phone. Well, now I am about 8 weeks pregnant, and I'm having the worst time trying to call the doctor's office to make an appointment. Every time I pick up the phone I get all shakey and short of breath. Is it normal to be this nervous while pregnant? Could all these hormonal changes be affecting my anxiety level and taking me back to where I was?

Thanks so much for your answers! I don't feel like I am the only one experiencing this anymore. :)

Yes it sure sounds like the cruse of the pregnancy hormones. You should really make an appointment and talk to the doctor about it. Also look up some ideas and tips to learn to calm yourself and get through the attack. Its better for the baby.

Please remember that every new mother is different. From personal experience however, i never had as bad as anxiety as you just the slight phone, restaurants, and ppl problems. Now that I'm going on 15 weeks prego i have it bad I'm always scared someone is fixing to break into my house. Its horrible and i don't even like going to the doctors office bc of all the ppl. It could have something to do with all those pesky pregnancy hormones, only your doctor will be able to answer that. Good luck and i wish you the best

I don't get that freaked out, but I do struggle with anxiety (since pre-pregnancy) and it is worse right now. My hubby is on a one month trip to England and I keep having bad dreams or thoughts that I might lose the baby while he's gone or that he'll get injured or killed on the flight or driving over there. I just have to kind of reason myself out of the anxiety and try to focus on calming things. Consciously focusing on your body, breathing, heartbeat, etc. seems to help me. Also, talking to the baby--apologizing to him/her for getting so stressed--makes me stop freaking out as much.