Anxiety, happiness and conflicting feelings… Why do you suffer from mood swings during pregnancy? | Mirror

Crying for no reason, under the influence of the simplest situations, the desire to relax, laughing, followed immediately by the desire to be alone, these are all forms of mood swings that occur during the months of pregnancy due to a number of factors, including rapid changes in hormones, physical ailments during pregnancy and completely normal fears .From the upcoming change in life.

All mood swings that occur during the months of pregnancy are normal, you just need to know their causes and how to deal with them.

Pregnancy hormones and mood swings

One of the main causes of mood swings during pregnancy is rapid changes in hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone.

Estrogen levels rise during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, increasing more than 100 times.

Estrogen binds to the chemical serotonin in the brain. You may know serotonin as the happy hormone, which is the hormone that many antidepressants try to stimulate, but serotonin has no direct connection to happiness, and imbalances and fluctuations in this neurotransmitter can lead to emotional dysregulation.

Progesterone also increases rapidly during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester. While estrogen is usually associated with energy (and a lot of it is associated with nervous energy), progesterone is associated with relaxation.

This is exactly what progesterone does in the body during pregnancy, telling the muscles to partially relax to prevent premature uterine contractions.

Muscle relaxation is also a factor in why women experience constipation during pregnancy.

Relaxing hormones sound nice, but progesterone makes some women “relaxed and lazy.” This means that some pregnant women feel tired and sad.

Also, progesterone is the hormone that makes a woman cry when she watches a moving movie or some emotional situation, which everyone considers normal, while a pregnant woman sees her crying.

Mood changes in the third trimester of pregnancy

During the third trimester, many suffer from sleep problems, which leads to mood swings.

Fear of impending birth can also increase during the last trimester, along with fear of motherhood or fear of another child.

Pregnancy and feelings of anger

Some women suffer from frequent feelings of anger during the months of pregnancy. This is also due to hormonal changes, just like some women who experience depression right before their period.

We must also not forget the physical changes that women experience, and as a result pregnancy stress and physical discomfort contribute greatly to pregnancy tantrums. Keeping your temper under control when you’re constantly tired can be a challenge.

Anger and fetal development

While occasional feelings of frustration are normal, it is important not to ignore anger if it is recurring or interferes with your ability to cope with everyday life.

Some studies have found that anger during pregnancy can affect the fetus. One study found that prenatal anger was associated with lower fetal growth rates.

Likewise, if the reason for your anger is not being ready for pregnancy, treatment and psychological support are needed before the birth of the child, because the continuation of this state can negatively affect the early rapprochement between you and your child, because the bond between mother and child is not limited only to emotional health , but also affects the physical well-being of the child.

How do you deal with mood swings?

Even though mood swings seem like an inevitable part of pregnancy, that doesn’t mean there aren’t things you can do to get through them a little.

You are not alone

Remember that you are not alone in your experience, that hormones are responsible for a lot of how you feel, and that this will all pass with time.

Talk to your husband and children

You may lose your temper or start crying unexpectedly; Let your husband and family members know that they are not the cause of your repeated anger and that you need their help. I apologize in advance for the current emotional outbursts.

Avoid negative information

Searching and reading information about pregnancy and childbirth are positive steps to increase your knowledge about the next stage, but some information can make you more worried, such as reading about premature birth or health problems that the pregnant woman or fetus may be exposed to.

If pregnancy books or Facebook groups for moms make you nervous, don’t read them.

Prepare for morning sickness

Morning sickness is one of the most difficult pregnancy symptoms for a pregnant woman in the first months, especially since it occurs without warning, and this can lead to violent mood swings.

Prepare for this situation, especially if you are a working woman or have to leave the house every day, carry snacks that do not irritate the stomach, avoid citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, and rely on salty biscuits.

Keep plastic bags in your pockets or purse when you feel like throwing up and there’s no bathroom nearby.

If your morning sickness is caused by unpleasant or strong odors, try wearing something that smells good to you, so that it quickly picks up and repels unwanted odors. A packet of cloves, cinnamon, or a small bottle of your favorite hand lotion can help reduce nausea.

Be aware that some women feel nauseous from the smell of perfumes and soaps. And since every woman is a unique case, you can choose the fragrance that suits you best.

Prioritize sleep

In the first trimester of pregnancy, you will likely feel tired regardless of how much sleep you get. During the third trimester, you may find it difficult to rest, which leads to poor sleep. But you have to sleep.

If you can take a nap during the day, feel free to sleep. Even if it means napping at your desk at work.

At home, do everything you can to make bedtime a peaceful time.

Try yoga or meditation

Yoga and meditation can help reduce anxiety and increase feelings of well-being.

There are many free online meditation apps that you can try. If you decide to take a yoga class, let it be for pregnant women.

See a doctor

Sometimes you may need professional help. A visit to the doctor does not necessarily mean that you are depressed, but often we all need professional support even in occasional moods. And remember that pregnancy and childbirth – whether it’s your first or fifth child – always make a big difference in your life.