Mood changes during pregnancy are fairly typical. These emotional ups and downs are brought on by a number of things, such as exhaustion, stress, pregnancy-related bodily discomforts, extremely common anxiety about forthcoming life changes, and rapidly varying hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone.
You're not alone if you occasionally experience emotions like being happy one second and in tears the next. Mood swing intensity differs from woman to woman. Learn coping mechanisms for handling strong feelings, worry, and terror when pregnant:
Recognize & Accept Your Phobias
First, make an effort to comprehend and accept your worries.
You might worry that your growing tummy makes you seem unsightly, you might worry about the cost of raising a child, or you might just be impatient. Read about my experiences with pregnancy-related skin discoloration.
After all, 9 months is a long time. You can deal with your problems by being aware of your anxieties and discussing them with your partner. Make sure you have a confidant with whom you can share your deepest feelings. Even whether it's your mother, best friend, or husband, just saying it out loud will help you feel better.
You can really benefit from antenatal lessons in battling your concerns and anxiety.
See a Counselor
You may occasionally need a specialist to assist you in coping. It's alright. To see a therapist, you don't have to be "clinically sad." Counselors are available to assist clients in adjusting to significant life changes, and having a child—whether it's your first or fifth—is always a significant life adjustment.
Additionally, a counselor can assist you in figuring out whether your mood swings go beyond what is considered "normal." A therapist can also help with this if you're concerned that you could genuinely be depressed or have an anxiety problem. Your doctor may be able to assist. So make sure to voice your worries.
Relax & Be Patient With Yourself
This is a major issue. Feeling guilty about your negative feelings is the only thing that may be worse than your awful feelings themselves. Keep in mind that you're not alone in your experience, that a lot of your feelings are likely caused by hormones, and that everything will pass in due course.
Spend some time unwinding. Exercise your breathing twice a day. Meditation and yoga can help people feel more at peace and less anxious. Online, there are a ton of free meditation apps to test. Make sure the yoga class is appropriate for pregnant women if you decide to do it. Or, if you can't find a pregnant yoga class, try a mild or restorative yoga session. Before the class starts, discuss any potential positional changes with the yoga instructor. Yoga poses are gentle methods of preserving your body's energy and motion. They lessen signs and symptoms include mood swings, nausea, and morning sickness.
Enjoy a relaxing, fragrant bath. It instantly improves your mood to put on some fragrance sticks, light a candle, and have a bath or a shower.Â
Please be aware that pregnant women should not soak in a hot tub for an extended period of time.
Connect With Other Expectant Women / Support Groups
A support group is a group of people you can talk to about your feelings, laugh at jokes, and phone at midnight if you're having trouble sleeping. You'll be shocked at how quickly you can forget your unsettling pregnancy symptoms if you round up your girlfriends for a game. On some websites, you may probably locate local support groups as well.
Remember that it's crucial to maintain your happiness, keep yourself busy, and occasionally take a break. Finally, it's a lovely phase. Enjoy it to the fullest.
You can also feel more normal by discussing your mood swings and issues with others. Pregnant mothers-only forums and social media groups exist. You might also meet other women by enrolling in a childbirth education class.
Prepare for Morning Sickness Waves
One of the toughest aspects of morning sickness from an emotional standpoint is how suddenly it may occur. You might feel out of control as a result, which might cause anxiety and mood changes. Try to be prepared to assuage your concerns.
Keep snacks on hand in case of sudden hunger. If there are no restrooms nearby and you feel like you are going to throw up, carry plastic bags like sandwich baggies in your pockets or purse. Try bringing anything that has a pleasant aroma so you can easily grab it and mask any unpleasant smells if they cause your morning sickness. You might use a small bottle of your favorite hand lotion or a container of cinnamon or cloves.
Putting Sleep First
No matter how much sleep you get during the first trimester, you'll probably still feel exhausted. You could find it difficult to settle in during the third trimester, which makes it difficult to sleep. But you should rest. Fatigue is a one-way street to mood swings that are more severe.
Take a nap if you can during the day if you can. even if it means taking a nap while working. Make bedtime at home as peaceful and quiet as you can to increase the likelihood that you will receive the rest you require.
Final Thoughts
Swings in mood are common throughout pregnancy. Your daily life is about to change as a result of the physical and hormonal changes occurring in your body. You naturally experience emotional highs and lows.
While mood changes are typical, despair is another story. There is also a distinction between mild anxiety and anxiety that makes it difficult for you to function during the day. Depression and anxiety are not the same as "mood swings."
The probability of developing depression or anxiety after delivery is raised by depression or anxiety during pregnancy. Both depression and anxiety can be bad for both you and your unborn child's health. It's critical that you talk to your doctor about your emotional issues if you think you might be depressed or have an anxiety disorder. According to one study, less than 20% of women who experienced postpartum depression ever discussed it with a healthcare professional. But please consult your physician if you have any questions. You don't have to endure your suffering in silence.