During pregnancy, many different changes take place in the mother-to-be's body. These include mood swings and emotional outbursts that complicate the everyday life of the pregnant woman. Learn what the difference is between mood swings and depression during pregnancy and how to manage your feelings during pregnancy.
Mood swings during pregnancy – causes
Many women report mood swings as one of the first symptoms to appear during pregnancy. The same is true for the menstrual cycle, where mood is often affected by differences in hormone levels. In addition, there are other factors that affect mood and its variability during pregnancy. The fear of pregnancy, the sense of responsibility, the concern for the health and development of the baby or the feeling of loneliness in a new situation, as well as the visible changes in the appearance of the body, make it much more difficult to deal with feelings.
How do you deal with feelings during pregnancy?
Every expectant mother should have a lot of understanding for herself and her feelings during pregnancy. It is at the same time a special time, but also a difficult and stressful time for many women. Mood swings during pregnancy are a common symptom that pregnant women should definitely not regret. The “hormonal storm” and the changes that take place in the mother-to-be’s body justify most of the emotions that occur during these nine months. Therefore, it is important that the people close to the pregnant woman support her and help her navigate her new reality. Talking with other expectant mothers, group activities or, if desired, therapy can also help. Professionals who work with pregnant women stress the importance of breathing, relaxation and calming exercises. You should definitely not neglect or hide your feelings.
Emotions during pregnancy – pregnancy depression
A separate issue related to emotions during pregnancy is pregnancy depression. Many people still underestimate the depressed mood and consider it a kind of normal condition. Women who are not supported by their partner or relatives and women who have not planned to have a child are more likely to suffer from depression during pregnancy. Symptoms of depression include thoughts of resignation, sleep disturbances, feelings of anxiety, or loss of previous interests. Unlike mood swings, when symptoms appear, it is necessary to see an expert. Psychological therapy also plays an important role in treatment. According to the current organizational standard for perinatal care, the assessment of the risk and severity of depressive symptoms is the responsibility of the gynecologist during the visit between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy and that between the 33rd and 37th weeks.