It's common to experience mood swings throughout pregnancy.
You could be laughing out loud one minute and bawling your eyes out the next. Maybe you've developed a low tolerance for your partner's antics, and now nothing they say or do can calm you down.
No matter how you feel, know that you are supported. Hormonal shifts, pregnancy discomforts, and the natural anxiety associated with major life transitions are all potential triggers for mood swings during pregnancy.
You're definitely not alone if you experience elation one minute and despair the next. The stereotypical image of a pregnant woman sobbing while eating pickles and ice cream has some basis in reality. True events served as inspiration for the story.
Reasons for your fluctuating mood and suggestions for handling them are discussed below.
Mood Swings Caused by Hormonal Changes in Pregnancy
Rapidly fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone are a major contributor to pregnancy-related mood changes.
During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, estrogen levels increase by more than a factor of 100.
Serotonin is linked to estrogen in the brain.
Serotonin is commonly referred to as the "happy" hormone because of its role in regulating mood and the fact that its levels are increased by many antidepressant drugs.
Nonetheless, serotonin does not have a causal relationship with joy. Instead, emotional dysregulation can be caused by imbalances and oscillations in this neurotransmitter.
It is not fully understood how estrogen and serotonin interact with one another.
Evidently, shifts in overall estrogen levels, and not just one subset of estrogen, are responsible for mood swings.
Changing estrogen levels have been linked to increased nervousness and irritability.
But the rise in estrogen levels isn't the only trend. During pregnancy, progesterone levels rise sharply, especially in the early stages.
Progesterone is connected with calmness, in contrast to the edginess that comes with excess estrogen.
That's because that's what progesterone does in a pregnant woman's body. The message to relax the muscles serves in part to forestall the uterus from contracting too soon.
Constipation is a common complaint among pregnant women, and one possible cause is a general decrease in muscular tone.
Progesterone not only influences the uterine muscles but also the intestines. Constipation can develop when bowel movement slows down.
Calming hormones are an appealing concept. However, some women find that the calming effects of progesterone are "too much."
This often results in lethargy and even melancholy. The hormone progesterone is responsible for your emotional response to those heartwarming Hallmark spots.
Can it be any surprise that estrogen causes nervousness and irritability and progesterone causes weariness and emotionality during pregnancy?
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First Trimester Mood Swings
Pregnancy hormones, but not only the hormones, can cause erratic behaviour and emotions. There is a psychological component to pregnant discomforts.
For example, up to 70% of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, sometimes called "morning sickness," at some point during their pregnancy.
Some people are so sensitive to their bodies' signals that even the slightest hunger sensations or the smell of your neighbour's cooking can cause them to feel sick to their stomachs and even throw up.
Those who suffer from morning sickness more frequently than others may worry that they'll feel unwell during a presentation or a meeting.
The fear that people would detect an unpleasant odour while strolling down the street is another common one.
The anxiety of not knowing when one may feel unwell and the fear of potentially being sick in public or when one is unprepared can be very taxing.
Mood swings are a common sign of early pregnancy, as is fatigue.
It's normal to feel emotionally drained in the early stages of pregnancy, when physical fatigue is also common.
Finally, women with a history of miscarriage or infertility may worry that they will lose the pregnancy again.
Considering that most pregnancies end in the first trimester, that worry is understandable.
Second Trimester Mood Swings
It's common to refer to the second trimester of pregnancy as the "honeymoon" period. The rate of hormonal change has slowed considerably from the first three months of pregnancy.
Most women report more vitality and a marked improvement in their morning sickness.
The fact is that there may be a risk of emotional distress. For one thing, physical changes begin to occur during the second trimester.
While some expecting mothers may be able to get away without buying maternity clothes until the second trimester, for most women this is just not the case.
There are those women who welcome the way their bodies are evolving. They can relax and stop sucking in their stomachs!
While others may experience anxiety. This is especially true for women with a background of self-esteem issues related to their appearance.
Emotional anguish can also be caused by prenatal tests done in the second trimester.
When performed, amniocentesis is typically done in the first few weeks of the second trimester.
Prenatal testing decisions and the accompanying anxiety over the outcomes can be emotionally taxing.
Reading about the many possible complications of pregnancy and childbirth is another known mood-altering factor.
Some books on pregnancy read more like exhaustive checklists of every conceivable problem. This is a possibility at any time throughout pregnancy, not just the first.
"Mood swings" during pregnancy are common, but not always unfavourable. The second trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increase in libido and sexual desire for some women.
This may be due to the fact that their general health is improving, or because the enhanced circulation to their pelvic area is making them feel more comfortable.
Third Trimester Mood Swings
It can be difficult to fall asleep during the third trimester of pregnancy. Mood swings can also be a result of not getting enough rest or quality sleep.
In the third trimester, it's common for expectant mothers to experience a surge of anxiety as they contemplate becoming mothers for the first time or to another child.
You may experience a "new" mood swing known as "nesting" during your third trimester.
Nesting is the sudden urge to clean, organise, and otherwise get ready for the arrival of a new baby.
Nesting isn't something that happens to everyone, and it's not always a good thing when it does happen, but it usually puts people in a happy mood.
For some, especially those who worry about their ability to meet the needs of their newborn, nesting can be a source of stress.
Reasons for Mood Swings During Pregnancy
Hormones, lack of sleep, and persistent worry are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the potential causes of mood fluctuations during pregnancy.
Don't worry, you're not overreacting. It's important to remember that this seemingly irrational behaviour has real anatomical, physiological, and mental causes.
Physiological Shifts Caused by Hormone Levels
It's true that there are a number of causes of mood swings during pregnancy, but the abrupt rise in hormones is usually to blame.
There is a veritable deluge of estrogen and progesterone in the first few weeks of pregnancy. Both of these hormones have a negative impact on one's mental and emotional well-being.
Because estrogen affects the entire body and is also present in the part of the brain responsible for controlling emotions, it is not surprising that elevated levels of estrogen are linked to feelings of nervousness, irritation, and despair.
Progesterone, on the other hand, is a hormone that can help you avoid premature contractions by easing your muscles and joints. As a result, it might lead to feelings of lethargy, depression, and general exhaustion.
An occasional maternal outburst can be explained by a surge in oestrogen and progesterone.
Feelings Of Exhaustion And Lack Of Sleep
It doesn't take much to drive a pregnant woman off the deep end, but a lack of sleep in the first trimester or the last few weeks of pregnancy can really feed the volatile emotions.
If you're completely worn out, it's going to be tough to keep a positive attitude and a sense of equilibrium.
To say that the first 12 weeks are exhausting would be a gross understatement. You will feel exhausted no matter how much sleep you receive.
Especially if you are also taking care of other tiny kids, working, and, you know, trying to manage all those other fundamental life commitments, this may be physically and mentally exhausting.
A similar lack of sleep may occur near the conclusion of a pregnancy. Besides the discomfort of your increasing belly, you may also be suffering aches and pains or Braxton-Hicks contractions, which make it difficult to find a relaxing posture in bed.
You shouldn't be surprised that you're tossing and turning at all hours if you're pregnant and experiencing third-trimester jitters.
Nausea and Vomiting in the Morning
Morning sickness is physically debilitating, but it can also have profound emotional and psychological consequences.
When you live in constant dread that nausea will hit, it's difficult to be your best self.
It's never fun to have to sprint to find a toilet or an empty bag to vomit into.
The cumulative effect of all those unpleasant situations—and the fear that you might have to throw up in the middle of an important business meeting or on the subway—can be depressing.
Anxiety and depression can creep in if you're always worrying about when your next round of nausea will strike.
Physical Changes
It's possible that your ever-evolving body will make you cry, either of happiness or frustration.
Some expectant mothers take pleasure in seeing their bodies change as their stomachs grow. Some people are saddened to see their bodies transform so drastically in just a few weeks.
It's astonishing that a woman's body can shrink to accommodate a human embryo. However, this accomplishment might elicit its own unique set of sensations for anyone who has ever struggled with negative body image.
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Anxiety And Stress
You can be worried about being a parent in general, or about adding a new child to the family.
Money and lifestyle changes can put a strain on anyone's mental health, making them irritable, anxious, or spiteful.
Anxiety leading up to labour is another common cause of a pregnant woman's short temper or increased tension. It's understandable to feel anxious about making a delivery, but that worry can quickly spiral out of control.
While constantly fretting over the discomfort of contractions and the health of your perineum, it's only natural to feel a little irritable.
Both first-time mothers and seasoned veterans of the maternal role may feel overwhelmed by the seemingly limitless list of potential problems that could arise.
In addition, if you've ever dealt with pregnancy difficulties or a miscarriage, your worry is completely rational and normal, but it can be difficult to deal with.
A visit to your OB as soon as you have any worries will go a long way towards calming your mind.
FAQS About Pregnancy
Significant changes in your hormone levels can affect your level of neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals that regulate mood. Mood swings are mostly experienced during the first trimester between 6 to 10 weeks and then again in the third trimester as your body prepares for birth.
When you are pregnant, your baby is exposed to everything you experience. This includes the sounds in the environment, the air you breathe, the food you eat and the emotions you feel. When you feel happy and calm, it allows your baby to develop in a happy, calm environment.
In a follow-up across pregnancy, the fetuses of the high-anger women were noted to be more active and to experience growth delays. The high-anger mothers' high prenatal cortisol and adrenaline and low dopamine and serotonin levels were mimicked by their neonates' high cortisol and low dopamine levels.
Chronic stress could also cause problems for your baby. These can include effects on your unborn baby's growth and the length of gestation (your pregnancy). They can also increase the risk of problems in your baby's future physical and mental development, as well as behavioural issues in childhood.
Pregnancy will bring about big changes to your relationship, especially if this is your first baby. Some people cope with these changes easily, while others find it harder. It's quite common for couples to have arguments every now and then during pregnancy.
When Should You Expect Mood Swings During Pregnancy?
Pregnancies are unique to each individual woman. In other words, some expectant mothers will feel emotionally stable throughout the entire nine months, while others will endure extreme mood fluctuations.
In fact, your state of mind probably varies from pregnancy to pregnancy.
To be sure, mood swings are common during pregnancy for women who report having them before their periods.
Don't dismiss your sensations out of hand; a 2015 study indicated that PMS is linked to postpartum depression as well.
Those who experience extremes of joy and frustration throughout pregnancy are more likely to experience these swings in the first trimester, when oestrogen and progesterone levels are highest, and in the third trimester, as labour nears.
Many women will feel a range of emotions, including excitement, fear, and impatience. Your life is going to undergo a significant transformation, so it's natural that your emotions might fluctuate.
Managing Pregnancy Mood Swings
You should know that mood swings are a normal part of being pregnant and that you are not alone in experiencing them.
It may assist to deal with your feelings if you realise that they are typical and even to be anticipated.
The following is a list of suggestions for relieving stress:
- Make sure you get enough rest.
- Rest and rejuvenate with a little break sometime during the day.
- Maintain a regular exercise routine.
- Healthy eating habits
- Spend time with your significant other.
- Get some rest.
- Take a stroll.
- Go to the movies with a pal.
- Put less pressure on yourself
- Try a prenatal yoga or meditation class
- Experience the bliss of a massage.
Mood swings are a common symptom of carrying a human being to term (albeit a minor inconvenience), but if they are negatively impacting your life at home, at work, and everywhere else, there are steps you may take to alleviate the symptoms.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Anyone who has experienced "hanger" knows how a lack of food can trigger an unwelcome reaction.
Eating good, nourishing meals and substantial snacks that fuel your body and stimulate your brain is an excellent way to calm your inner fury and satisfy your appetite.
Keeping your energy levels up will help you maintain your composure.
Get Exercise
Exercising can help you feel better emotionally and physically. If you find yourself suddenly feeling down or irritable, simple, low-impact cardio, such as walking or swimming, can help lift your mood.
Outdoor activity is rewarded since it allows you to breathe in clean air while you work out. In addition, the surge of feel-good endorphins will elevate your mood.
Meditation and yoga can also be quite useful. If you feel overwhelmed by the task at hand, have no fear; there is an app for that.
Stretching, moving, or even just taking a few deep breaths might help you get through tough times.
Sleep Should Be a Top Priority
Pregnant women, especially, need to make sure they are getting enough restful sleep.
While getting a full night's sleep during your first trimester may seem impossible, you can make the most of the time you do sleep by following a regular bedtime and wake-up routine and taking naps when needed.
Even though you may be in a lot of pain as your due date approaches, you should try to ease your body and mind as much as possible.
Practice deep breathing techniques right before bed, and use as many pillows to achieve a comfortable position as possible (remember that side sleeping is best during the third trimester, though).
And finally, remember that if there were ever a time to take a sleep, now would be it.
Share Your Feelings With Your Family and Friends
The people closest to you need to know how you feel and what you're going through.
Warn them that your temper can flare out unexpectedly.
If you and your loved ones have already had this conversation, you'll be better prepared to talk to one other if a problem ever arises.
It may also be helpful to network with other mothers-to-be who can empathise with your situation. For instance, you may become a part of a group in your immediate area or search online for a similar community to participate in.
Your mood might benefit from feeling more confident and supported as you face the challenges of pregnancy.
Treat Yourself With Kindness.
A difficult pregnancy. When you're also feeling emotionally off, it's a lot more challenging. Don't be too hard on yourself if you have a dramatic moment or overreact to a circumstance.
Instead, be gentle and forgiving with yourself; these mood swings will pass. Every once in a while, we all need to let our feelings out.
Go See A Therapist
You should get help if you feel as though your emotions are controlling your life, if your anxiety prevents you from leading a normal life, and if you are consistently down in the dumps.
Try consulting with a psychologist or an obstetrician. Unfortunately, prenatal melancholy and anxiety are all too frequent, but there is no reason to feel guilty about it. But you should be relishing in this exciting period of life, so do all you can to recapture your joy by consulting an expert.
When Is It Time to Seek Professional Help?
A referral to a therapist may be recommended by your doctor if your mood fluctuations have persisted for longer than two weeks. Each year, depression impacts almost 11 million American women. It is estimated that one in seven women may experience depression at some point in her life.
Among the signs and symptoms of depression are:
- Anxiety attacks and heightened irritation
- Change in eating habits
- Trouble falling asleep
- Inability to focus for extended periods of time
- Impairment of working memory
- It's important to talk to your doctor if your mood swings, anxiety, or depression become severe and frequent.
Bottom Line
Mood swings are only one of the many uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.
You may be surprised by your own strong emotions, such as anger, despair, and even bursts of joy, but remember that they are all a part of the process leading up to the most powerful sensation of all: unconditional love for your new family member.
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Conclusion
It's common to experience mood swings throughout pregnancy. Hormonal shifts, pregnancy discomforts, and the natural anxiety associated with major life transitions are all potential triggers for mood swings. The stereotypical image of a pregnant woman sobbing while eating pickles and ice cream has some basis in reality. Up to 70% of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, sometimes called "morning sickness," at some point during their pregnancy. Some people are so sensitive to their bodies' signals that even the slightest hunger sensations or the smell of your neighbour's cooking can cause them to feel sick to their stomachs and even throw up.
"Mood swings" during pregnancy are common, but not always unfavourable. The second trimester of pregnancy is associated with an increase in libido and sexual desire for some women. In the third trimester, it's common for expectant mothers to experience a surge of anxiety as they contemplate becoming mothers for the first time or to another child. A surge in oestrogen and progesterone can cause lethargy, depression, and general exhaustion. A lack of sleep or Braxton-Hicks contractions may also make it difficult to find a relaxing posture in bed.
Morning sickness is physically debilitating, but it can also have profound emotional and psychological consequences. Mood swings are a normal part of being pregnant and you are not alone in experiencing them. Some expectant mothers will feel emotionally stable throughout the entire nine months, while others will endure extreme mood fluctuations. First-time mothers and seasoned veterans of the maternal role may feel overwhelmed by the seemingly limitless list of potential problems that could arise. Mood swings are a common symptom of carrying a human being to term.
There are steps you can take to alleviate the symptoms. Eating well and exercising can help you feel better emotionally and physically. Meditating and yoga can also be quite useful. Remember that if there were ever a time to take a sleep, now would be it. Here are some tips to help you feel more confident and supported as you battle the ups and downs of post-pregnancy depression and anxiety.
Mood swings are only one of the many uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms. But you should be relishing in this exciting period of life, so do all you can to recapture your joy. Each year, depression impacts almost 11 million American women. One in seven women may experience depression at some point in her life.
Content Summary
- It's common to experience mood swings throughout pregnancy.
- No matter how you feel, know that you are supported.
- Hormonal shifts, pregnancy discomforts, and the natural anxiety associated with major life transitions are all potential triggers for mood swings during pregnancy.
- Reasons for your fluctuating mood and suggestions for handling them are discussed below.
- Rapidly fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone are a major contributor to pregnancy-related mood changes.
- During the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, estrogen levels increase by more than a factor of 100.
- Evidently, shifts in overall estrogen levels, and not just one subset of estrogen, are responsible for mood swings.
- During pregnancy, progesterone levels rise sharply, especially in the early stages.
- The message to relax the muscles serves in part to forestall the uterus from contracting too soon.
- For example, up to 70% of pregnant women experience nausea and vomiting, sometimes called "morning sickness," at some point during their pregnancy.
- Mood swings are a common sign of early pregnancy, as is fatigue.
- Considering that most pregnancies end in the first trimester, that worry is understandable.
- It's common to refer to the second trimester of pregnancy as the "honeymoon" period.
- The rate of hormonal change has slowed considerably from the first three months of pregnancy.
- For one thing, physical changes begin to occur during the second trimester.
- There are those women who welcome the way their bodies are evolving.
- Reading about the many possible complications of pregnancy and childbirth is another known mood-altering factor.
- Mood swings" during pregnancy are common, but not always unfavourable.
- It can be difficult to fall asleep during the third trimester of pregnancy.
- You may experience a "new" mood swing known as "nesting" during your third trimester.
- It's true that there are a number of causes of mood swings during pregnancy, but the abrupt rise in hormones is usually to blame.
- As a result, it might lead to feelings of lethargy, depression, and general exhaustion.
- An occasional maternal outburst can be explained by a surge in oestrogen and progesterone.
- It doesn't take much to drive a pregnant woman off the deep end, but a lack of sleep in the first trimester or the last few weeks of pregnancy can really feed the volatile emotions.
- To say that the first 12 weeks are exhausting would be a gross understatement.
- You will feel exhausted no matter how much sleep you receive.
- A similar lack of sleep may occur near the conclusion of a pregnancy.
- You shouldn't be surprised that you're tossing and turning at all hours if you're pregnant and experiencing third-trimester jitters.
- Morning sickness is physically debilitating, but it can also have profound emotional and psychological consequences.
- Anxiety and depression can creep in if you're always worrying about when your next round of nausea will strike.
- You can be worried about being a parent in general, or about adding a new child to the family.
- Anxiety leading up to labour is another common cause of a pregnant woman's short temper or increased tension.
- In addition, if you've ever dealt with pregnancy difficulties or a miscarriage, your worry is completely rational and normal, but it can be difficult to deal with.
- A visit to your OB as soon as you have any worries will go a long way towards calming your mind.
- In fact, your state of mind probably varies from pregnancy to pregnancy.
- To be sure, mood swings are common during pregnancy for women who report having them before their periods.
- You should know that mood swings are a normal part of being pregnant and that you are not alone in experiencing them.
- Pregnant women, especially, need to make sure they are getting enough restful sleep.
- While getting a full night's sleep during your first trimester may seem impossible, you can make the most of the time you do sleep by following a regular bedtime and wake-up routine and taking naps when needed.
- Even though you may be in a lot of pain as your due date approaches, you should try to ease your body and mind as much as possible.
- And finally, remember that if there were ever a time to take a sleep, now would be it.
- If you and your loved ones have already had this conversation, you'll be better prepared to talk to one other if a problem ever arises.
- It may also be helpful to network with other mothers-to-be who can empathise with your situation.
- For instance, you may become a part of a group in your immediate area or search online for a similar community to participate in.
- Your mood might benefit from feeling more confident and supported as you face the challenges of pregnancy.
- When you're also feeling emotionally off, it's a lot more challenging.
- Don't be too hard on yourself if you have a dramatic moment or overreact to a circumstance.
- Instead, be gentle and forgiving with yourself; these mood swings will pass.
- Every once in a while, we all need to let our feelings out.
- You should get help if you feel as though your emotions are controlling your life, if your anxiety prevents you from leading a normal life, and if you are consistently down in the dumps.
- Try consulting with a psychologist or an obstetrician.
- A referral to a therapist may be recommended by your doctor if your mood fluctuations have persisted for longer than two weeks.
- Mood swings are only one of the many uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms.
