Mood Swings During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a joyous time for a couple, especially the mother, and more so if it is her first time. However, when the initial joy sinks in, suddenly, another massive feeling is experienced: the huge responsibility that accompanies pregnancy. As a pregnant woman, the co-existence of both these feelings in your mind can wreak emotional havoc, and cause severe mood swings during pregnancy. Moreover, the physical changes in the body also affect the mind, and lead to these mood swings, where you may find yourself jubilant at one moment, mad with rage at another, and uncontrollably sobbing at yet another. The very presence of such mood swings can cause further emotional turmoil, and you may find yourself in a state of total wilderness. 

When Do Mood Swings Start During Pregnancy

Women may experience the onset of mood swings during early pregnancy, starting in the first trimester. Slowly, they wear off during the second trimester. However, many women have experienced the return of mood swings during the third trimester, back in full swing.

Causes of Mood Swings During Pregnancy

The causes of mood swings during pregnancy are both, physical and psychological. While the changing hormones can affect your emotional state of mind, so can your thoughts, feelings and even your environment.

• The prime cause of mood swings during pregnancy are the change in the hormone levels in the body. The body is full of the hormones, estrogen andprogesterone during pregnancy, and the activity or imbalance of these hormones can cause mood swings. Mainly, these hormones affect neurotransmitter levels, that affect the way you may be feeling mentally, at any given point in time.
• As mentioned earlier, with the physical changes that your body experiences, you may begin to feel unattractive, and therefore, depressed an unhappy about your physical appearance. Also, other side effects of pregnancy may affect you, such as fatigue and heartburn, and add to the irritable feeling you are already harboring.
• The stress of pregnancy is another cause of mood swings in women during this time. Particularly if it is your first pregnancy, you may be wondering about what you have done, and whether having a baby at this point in life is right, even though the pregnancy may be planned. You may question your ability at the job of being a good mother, and taking care of the baby.
• The pressure to be a good parent is present even before the the baby is born. In such a case, you may find yourself in a state of confusion regarding whether you are taking good care of your and your baby's health, and whether you have taken other necessary measures for the birth of a healthy baby.
• The fear of an increased financial responsibility is likely to have you worried about the future, and add to your pregnancy mood swings.

How to Deal with Mood Swings During Pregnancy


Mood swings are natural during pregnancy, and you needn't worry about them. They are common, and give you a good reason to attribute every habit, trait and even a minor misdemeanor to your raging hormones and pregnancy. Of course, this tendency to burst with emotions, particularly negative, should be controlled at a particular level. To deal with it, here are some measures you can take.

• Calm Down: You need to understand that you are not the only one going through this problem. Every pregnant woman faces mood swings, though the intensity may vary. Stop trying to do everything at the same time, before the baby arrives. The very thought may be causing you a lot of stress. Take one thing at a time, and also take help from your partner and family, in doing all these chores.
• Speak Up: Suppressing all these emotions under the surface can really make you want to rip your hair off. Blurt out all the feelings. Speak to your partner about your fears, your concerns, your joys, your sadness,and just let it all out. It is definitely going to make a lot of difference.
• Keep Fit: Following a routine of safe pregnancy exercises can keep your emotional state of mind controlled and positive. You will find that you are able to deal with your mood swings in a better way. Also remember to eat right, and get a good amount of sleep. Often fatigue contributes to these mood swings.
• Laugh: Make sure you get your daily dose of laughter. Whether you get it from catching up with your girlfriends, spending time with your partner, or watching your favorite movie, remember to keep yourself happy and you will find that the mood swings are not so bad anymore.
• Bond: At this emotionally overwhelming time, nothing serves as a better measure than the presence of your partner. Bond, and enjoy this special phase of your life together.
• Yoga and Meditation: Lastly, the best way to keep your mind calm, and relatively free of strong emotions is to practice yoga and meditation. Take a look at this article that tells you all about yoga for pregnant women.

Doing just anything that makes you feel happy, or that you enjoy, will definitely help you keep those mood swings during pregnancy under control. If you find that none of these measures are working, and you are still feeling blue, perhaps you ought to consult a counselor, who will be able to effectively help you cope with these mood swings. Do remember, that your state of mind will directly affect your baby's physical and emotional state of mind. The happier you keep yourself, the smoother your whole pregnancy and subsequent childbirth will be!