You will feel a wide range of emotions when pregnant, many of which may be unfamiliar to you. What's at fault? For starters, you can be going through a complete upheaval of your previous, comfortable life as well as financial and other issues. Another reason is because your body and brain are undergoing significant physical changes.
When you are pregnant, your feelings may not always be ones of enthusiasm. Learn the cause of this and how to control your emotions while pregnant. Strong emotions and moods can be caused by both your own personal circumstances and the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. While partners don't go through hormonal changes, they can nonetheless experience intense emotions during pregnancy.
Here, we discuss how your emotions may be impacted by pregnancy-related hormone changes:
Alterations in Hormones During Pregnancy
An expecting woman’s body starts making preparations as soon as the pregnancy is confirmed. As a result, their blood has higher quantities of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. A healthy pregnancy requires higher levels of progesterone and estrogen, but these hormones are also frequently responsible for certain common undesirable side effects. In the first trimester, this is particularly accurate.
In addition to being ill and exhausted, it's typical to have mood changes, feel emotional, or become easily agitated. The symptoms typically subside once the body has adjusted to the elevated doses of these hormones. However, some pregnant women continue to have them after giving birth.
Feelings During Pregnancy
Aside from the emotional ups and downs brought on by the first three months' rising hormone levels, the experience of giving birth to a new life can be thrilling and uplifting. The significant changes that a pregnancy and a new baby will bring are also frequently accompanied by feelings of anxiety, vulnerability, and overwhelm. Parents who become pregnant after a previous loss or following reproductive treatment may find this to be especially true.
Triggers for Early Pregnancy Mood Swings
During pregnancy, hormones can cause mood swings, but other factors also play a role. Pregnancy discomforts can also lead to emotional anxiety. For instance, 70% to 80% of pregnant women experience morning sickness, which can truly strike at any moment of the day.Â
Even the smallest hunger pains or the aroma of your neighbor's cooking can cause nausea and perhaps vomiting. Anxiety over suddenly feeling the urge to puke during a business meeting may occur for those who suffer from morning sickness more severely than others. Or they might be concerned that while they are walking down the street, they will suddenly smell something "wrong."
It can be very stressful to not know when one could get sick and to worry about perhaps passing out in public or without warning. Another typical early-pregnancy symptom that might influence mood fluctuations is fatigue. When one is exhausted, one does not function emotionally well, and during the first few months of pregnancy, you may experience extreme fatigue.
Last but not least, women who have lost a pregnancy due to miscarriage or infertility may worry that they will do so again. When the majority of pregnancies end in miscarriage, the first trimester, this worry could be the worst.
Mood Swings in the Second Trimester
Pregnancy's second trimester is frequently referred to as the "honeymoon" period. Although far less than they were during the first three months, hormones are still altering. Most women report having more energy and experiencing less morning sickness than before. However, there may be emotional set-offs. One reason is that during the second trimester, the body starts to alter significantly. During the first trimester, some women are able to avoid wearing maternity attire; nevertheless, during the second trimester, it is inevitable.
When recommended, amniocentesis is often performed in the first few weeks of the second trimester. Emotional anguish might also result from prenatal testing throughout the second trimester along with anxiety related to the results. Reading about everything that may possibly go wrong during pregnancy and labor is another thing that can cause mood swings. Some pregnant books are more akin to extensive lists of every potential problem. This can also happen at any stage of pregnancy.
On the other side, during the second trimester, some women report having more libido and sexual desire. This may be a result of their physical health beginning to improve as well as increasing blood supply to the pelvic area.
Mood Swings in the Third Trimester
Making yourself comfortable at sleep might be challenging during the third trimester. Mood swings may be caused by fatigue and sleep issues. During the final trimester, anxieties about the impending birth as well as anxieties about being a mother or worrying about raising another child can become very acute.
"Nesting" is a "new" mood swing that you could encounter in the third trimester. When you suddenly feel the need to clean, organize, and physically get ready for the baby, you are nesting. Although not everyone experiences nesting, for the majority of people, it can be a good mood experience. Others may experience anxiety as a result of nesting, particularly if they worry that they won't have enough money to support the new child.
Feeling Angry While Pregnant
Hormonal shifts are one reason for the mood swings experienced by pregnant women. Similar to how some women become angry every month as their menstruation starts, these same women may get angry and frustrated when pregnant. Additionally, when you're not feeling well, it's tougher to maintain composure. Pregnancy wrath is significantly influenced by pregnancy fatigue and physical discomfort. When you're constantly exhausted, it's challenging to keep your cool.
Even while occasional frustration is common, it's crucial to recognize anger if it becomes persistent or interferes with your capacity to function in daily life. According to several studies, being angry while pregnant may have an impact on the unborn kid. According to one study, pregnant anger was linked to a slower rate of fetal growth.
Final Thoughts
Seeing a therapist before the baby's birth is crucial if your anger is motivated by a desire to avoid the pregnancy. Otherwise, the early attachment between you and your baby can suffer. The bonding between a mother and child influences the youngster's physical health in addition to their mental wellbeing.Â
Quilt Comfort has curated a few ways to cope with your new pregnancy emotions and how to deal when the going gets tough, to help you manage the probable mood swings. Find out more in our next blog.