Have you found yourself feeling thrilled and basking in the glow of your hugely pregnant belly, then a few minutes later, bursting into tears?
If you’ve become more moody while pregnant, it happens to the best of us. There are reasons for this. You can blame your hormones – progesterone and estrogen – at least for some of your moodiness. These hormones help regulate your reproductive cycle.
Your mood swings are mostly caused by the physical and emotional changes you are going through right now. Any change, even a positive one, can make anyone feel happy, anxious, and yes, even moody.
Don’t let your intermittent mood swings cloud your otherwise happy pregnancy. Many expectant mothers allow these feelings to spiral into worrying about everything:
Will you be a good mother? How will this baby change the relationship with your partner? What if your baby has health problems or what if you can’t financially provide all the things you want your child to have in life?
All of these concerns, coupled with the aches, pains and fatigue of a pregnancy, can take its emotional toll. Many women report that they felt more irritable during the first trimester, with those feelings subsiding as you and your body adjust to the rush of hormones coursing through your body.
How to Combat Your Moody Feelings While Pregnant:
Don’t fight it. Some days you’re going to feel more emotional. Don’t feel guilty about it. Your mood swings in no way indicate whether you’ll be a good mom or not. Accept that you’re not perfect – nobody is – have a good cry and then move on.
Ask for help. If you’re feeling that your mood swings are not just ordinary moodiness, talk to your doctor about your concerns or seek out the help of a therapist. While many women have heard about postpartum depression, about 10 percent of pregnant women experience depression during their pregnancy. If you frequently feel down, you might be depressed.
Join an online message board. Sometimes it helps to share your feelings with others who are going through the exact same things as you are. Pregnancy message boards can be a fun way to connect with other soon-to-be moms.
Do something fun. Sometimes we simply need a break from our familiar routines. Go on a “babymoon” with your partner. A weekend getaway can be just the thing you need to feel energized and renewed.
Find a new hobby. When your baby arrives, you likely won’t have much time to try something new, at least for a few years anyway. This is a perfect time to put all that time you’ve spent on Pinterest to good use and experiment with new recipes, make crafts, start scrapbooking for your baby or learn to knit.
Will I have a moody baby?
It’s hard to know what personality that little baby nestled in your belly will have when he or she is born. Being moody while pregnant doesn’t mean your baby will be, too. However, if you feel that your mood swings are becoming a serious problem, discuss your emotions with your doctor, who can prescribe medication for you, if needed. Babies born to women suffering from psychiatric disorders can frequently be born premature and have lower birth weights.
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