Pregnancy is a delightful time in women’s daily life, but all that comes along with it is so many changes in your life and also your body. This includes how your thoughts and your mood are. There are so many stages in the pregnancy process, each one of which brings so many mood swings in a woman. The first stage of pregnancy is when you are excited but at the same time anxious about it. The second stage of the pregnancy is where you just need to get used to the thought of having a baby and its arrival. The third stage is all about preparing your body for a baby, while the fourth stage is all about delivery.
When a woman gets pregnant, there is no guarantee that her moods and thought patterns will be the same throughout the whole pregnancy. Most women are prone to getting mood swings or premenstrual tension, and this time also happens. Some women face the symptoms of pregnancy even as early as 4 to 6 months into the pregnancy period. There are several causes for a woman’s mood changes, and we are here to share motherhood tips so that you understand them and manage the emotional condition so that you feel good.
How Mood Swings Begin
Mood swings begin in the initial stages of pregnancy when women start to experience the first symptoms of pregnancy. This includes some physical signs like bloating and backaches, along with some mood changes like sadness, irritability, and even stress. A mother’s hormones change as soon as she is pregnant and during the different stages of pregnancy, which causes many changes in her mind and thought patterns.
When you are pregnant, you can expect your thoughts to change a lot. Some of the signs of mood swings in pregnancy are when women experience the following:
- Depression or anxiety – where the changes in your thoughts make you sad, angry, or even sad for no reason;
- Sickness – where the changes in your thoughts make you sick;
- Tantrums – where the changes in your thoughts make you angry and feel overwhelming;
- PMS symptoms – including abdominal pains, migraines, excessive hunger, insomnia, and fatigue;
- Excessive sleepiness – where you might find yourself wanting to nap;
- Extremely fatigue – where the changes in your thoughts make you exhausted.
There is no doubt that during the initial stages of pregnancy, mood changes are due to the physical symptoms that you may be feeling. This is when your body image begins to show that you are closer to delivering a baby and a due date. Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy time for most women, but a little bit of anxiety and stress can be expected at this time. The pregnancy symptom that you may be feeling can cause mood swings, but the mind is responsible for managing them. The thought processes, thoughts and attitudes play a huge role in how you manage these pregnancy mood swings.
Pregnancy is not just a biological function, but it is also a time in your life when your thoughts and your attitudes change. The changes in your mind and body are an indication that something is happening to you. So, if you are thinking that you have a baby on the way and you are facing mood swings or premenstrual tension, then it is time for you to address your mood swings.
What Causes Mood Swings During Pregnancy?
Hormones, sleep deprivation, and persistent anxiety during pregnancy are just a few of the reasons you may experience mood swings during pregnancy. And there are medical, physiological, and mental grounds for such an emotional condition.
Changes in Hormone Levels
While there are several factors that might cause mood swings, the most common cause is a rapid rise in pregnancy hormones. During the first few weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s body is flooded with estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones can have a negative impact on one’s mental health. Estrogen affects the entire body and is active in the brain area that governs mood, so it’s no surprise that this hormone is linked to anxiety, irritability, and sadness.
Progesterone, on the other hand, is a hormone that aids in the relaxation of muscles and joints as well as the prevention of premature contractions. As a result, it might result in weariness, sluggishness, and even postpartum depression. So a surge in estrogen and progesterone is a formula for the rare mom meltdown.
Fatigue and a Lack of Sleep
First-trimester weariness or late pregnancy sleep loss can add fuel to the fickle fire, making you vulnerable to everything. When you’re fatigued to the core, it’s difficult to be even-keeled and cheery. When pregnant, you will feel drained regardless of how much sleep you receive. This may be taxing on your body and mind, especially if you are caring for other tiny people, working, and juggling all of your other fundamental daily commitments.
Similarly, the end of pregnancy can keep you awake at night. It’s difficult to find a comfortable position in bed to accommodate your increasing belly, and you’re probably feeling aches and pains or having Braxton-Hicks contractions. Add in some third-trimester jitters, and it’s no surprise you’re sleeping at all hours; it is a part of pregnancy.
Early Morning Sickness
Morning sickness creates severe physical symptoms, but it can also have significant emotional and psychological consequences. It’s difficult to be your best self when you’re always on the verge of sickness. It’s never fun rushing around looking for a toilet or an empty bag to spew up in. With so many awkward times – and the fear of vomiting unexpectedly at work meetings or while travelling – it might take its toll on your mood over time. The tension of not knowing when or if your next nausea attack will occur might interrupt your serene state and lead to increased stress and prenatal depression.
Physical Changes
Your changing physique may also make you feel stressed and annoyed. Some pregnant women like watching their stomachs swell and shapes change, while others are upset as their bodies become unrecognizable in a matter of weeks. The idea that a woman can give birth to a little person is unquestionably amazing, but anybody who has ever suffered with body image issues understands that this achievement may come with its own set of difficult emotions during pregnancy.