Pregnancy is an emotional roller coaster for everyone who has ever experienced the extremes of pure delight and profound anguish. There are highs and lows galore on this roller coaster. Make sure you’ve got some tissues on hand for when things become a little shaky. Not every expectant mother will experience such quick shifts in emotion, but those who do will have to learn to deal with the ups and downs of their emotions and avoid the impulse to physically harm anybody in the process. The good news for mothers who have to cope with their children’s mood swings is that they will pass. After a while, you’ll go back to being your calm self. In the meanwhile, here are some explanations and mood-mellowing suggestions for why you could be blowing hot or cold at any particular moment.
Pregnancy hormones, sleep deprivation, and worry are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the causes of mood swings. Rest assured that your apparently erratic conduct is not the result of your imagination; there are actual medical, physiological, and mental causes for it.
Changes in hormone levels
When it comes to mood swings, pregnant hormones are the largest offender. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s oestrogen and progesterone levels soar. Having too much of these two hormones might have a negative impact on one’s mental health.
Estrogen affects your mood by acting in the part of your brain that controls it, so it’s no surprise that it’s linked to symptoms like irritability, despair, and anxiety. It is a hormone called progesterone that helps to stretch muscles and joints as well as preventing premature labour. Depleted energy and even depression are common side effects. It’s very uncommon for a mother to have a tantrum when her oestrogen and progesterone levels suddenly spike.
Fatigue and sleep deprivation
First-trimester exhaustion and late-pregnancy sleep loss may stoke the flames and make it possible for you to go off the rails at any moment. In the face of exhaustion, it’s difficult to maintain a positive outlook. Tired is an understatement throughout the first 12 weeks of treatment. The amount of sleep you obtain will not alleviate your exhaustion. Especially if you have a lot of other responsibilities, such as caring for children, working, and so on, this may be a strain on your body and mind. It’s not uncommon for women to be unable to sleep near the end of pregnancy. You may be feeling aches and pains or Braxton-Hicks contractions while trying to find a comfortable position in bed to accommodate your increasing tummy. It’s little surprise you’re unable to sleep at night when you’ve got third-trimester worries to contend with.
Morning sickness
Morning sickness is not only physically debilitating, but it may also have a significant psychological impact. The constant worry of sickness makes it difficult to be your best self. Race to the bathroom or an empty bag to relieve yourself is never nice. Many uncomfortable occasions and the fear that you could suddenly begin vomiting during work meetings or while commuting can take their toll on your mood over time. Stress about when and if your next bout of nausea will occur may lead to feelings of anxiety and depression.
Physical changes
You may shed tears of delight or anger at the sight of your body changing. Watching pregnant women’s bodies transform in a matter of weeks may be both a joy and a dread for some mothers-to-be. It’s wonderful that a woman can give birth to a little human being, but anybody who has ever had to deal with difficulties related to their body image understands that this achievement may elicit a variety of mixed emotions.
Anxiety and stress
You may be feeling anxious about becoming a parent or welcome a new kid into the family. Stress about life changes and money might make you resentful, anxious, or agitated. Anxiety over the impending birth of a child might cause a pregnant woman to become irritable or agitated. It’s normal to have concerns about delivery, but they don’t have to develop to the point of becoming disruptive. When you’re always concerned about the discomfort of contractions or the health of your perineum, it’s only natural that you’ll get irritable. For both first-time and seasoned mothers, there are a plethora of issues to worry about. Anxiety is reasonable and emotionally stressful if you’ve had previous difficulties or miscarriages. Some of these persistent anxieties might be alleviated by talking to your OB as soon as they arise.
