Pregnancy Emotions – A Beginner’s Guide

You’ve probably heard a lot about morning sickness, stretch marks and other signs and symptoms of pregnancy, but you may not be aware of the onslaught of emotions that many women endure. This “happiest time of your life” may also be the saddest, the angriest and the most irritable—and all in the same day! Let’s look at how you can expect your moods and feelings to shift during pregnancy, and what causes these changes.

The moods (by trimester)

First trimester 

Early on, you can expect to be moved to tears by any TV commercial that features a baby, a dog, a lonely sock flapping on the clothesline … you name it—it’ll probably make you cry. So will a song on the radio that reminds you of your high school days, or a slice of cheese on the sandwich that you definitely ordered with NO CHEESE. The good news (for you and those around you) is that these deep dark throes of melancholy will be short-lived, and soon enough you’ll be back to happily dreaming of baby names and tiny clothes. No, you’re not crazy - you can blame the surges of pregnancy hormones.

Second trimester

Once the crazy fatigue and morning sickness are left behind, and the hormones have sort of leveled off, you’ll probably feel happier and more energetic. You have extra blood pumping through your veins, carrying more oxygen through your body and to your brain. This helps you feel more confident at work, more excited about that baby in your belly and friskier in the bedroom.

Third trimester

Hopefully you enjoy that second trimester, because the third trimester is marked by lack of sleep (because you can’t get comfortable!) and an influx of new hormones that get your body ready for labor and delivery. This makes you tired and irritable, and it leaves you with the irresistible urge to clean and organize everything in sight. (They say it’s the hormones that cause this nesting instinct, but it might also be the need to feel like you’re in control of something now that your world is about to be upended.)

It will all be over soon

Just remember, mood swings are totally normal during pregnancy, and don’t have anything to do with how you’ll feel and behave once you’re finally holding that precious baby. Try to think of it as one more sign that your body is working hard to grow a healthy, happy child.

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