Today we will talk about a common problem in pregnant women - these are mood swings associated with various reasons. Pregnant for many people personifies the very calmness, kindness and beauty.

Of course, if pregnancy is desired and long-awaited, then future mom can flutter with positive emotions in anticipation of the child, but not always.

Causes of Mood Swings in Pregnant Women

Often a woman in a position notices a sharp change in mood, so unusual for her before pregnancy. She can be irritable, whiny, harmful and hysterical, but literally in a moment she jokes, laughs and smiles.

The reasons that affect the mood of a pregnant woman can be:

• doubts, fears and questions hovering in the beautiful head of the expectant mother, for example, will she be a good mother, what to do with work, will there be enough money to provide the child with a good upbringing, etc .;
• increased levels of progesterone and estrogen hormones in the body of the expectant mother;
• ailments in the form of heartburn, headaches, excess, nausea or loss of consciousness;
• discomfort associated with pregnancy - frequent urination, pain in the lower abdomen, insomnia, a limited number of postures during sleep, baby jerks;
• fatigue. As a rule, until the 30th week of pregnancy, the expectant mother continues to work, meet with friends, and lack sleep;
• appearance and lifestyle, which change dramatically - especially at 7-9 months of pregnancy.

Tips for a mom-to-be to avoid mood problems

So that excessive emotionality does not ruin the relationship of the future mother with her chosen one, relatives and friends, a woman is recommended:

• walk more often fresh air, from one and a half hours a day and better with her husband;
• relax;
• exclude all diets, give preference to full-fledged with fruits, vegetables, cereals and, of course, pamper yourself with ice cream or marshmallows;
• avoid stressful situations;
• get to know other pregnant women - on the forum or in the antenatal clinic and share your emotions, feelings and experiences with each other;
• go shopping - buy something for yourself, your beloved, or start buying things for your child;
• attend courses for pregnant women - to learn a lot of new things and, perhaps, some fears will be dispelled;
• do yoga, or Pilates - for new sensations and uplifting;
• to do the arrangement of the children's room - choose a crib, accessories, bedding or a chest of drawers.

If a woman during pregnancy cannot cope with her emotions and psychological state on her own, then you can turn to a psychologist for help or take, in agreement with the attending physician, light medications without harm to the baby's health, which helped to avoid mood swings in the pregnant woman.

The positive atmosphere around a pregnant woman has a positive effect on her mood. Close people can only calmly and without nerves perceive the strangeness of the expectant mother, morally supporting her in any situations.

A woman in position and the people around her should understand that whims will go away with pregnancy. The usual figure, the rhythm of life, sleep will return to their usual course, but only with a new small member of the family, and only bright happy memories will remain about nine months of bearing a child.

Mood swings in pregnant women should always be tolerated calmly, both by the expectant mother herself and her relatives.

Dear blog readers, have you had mood swings during pregnancy, and how you avoided them, leave comments or reviews. Someone will find it very useful!

Tears, whims, sentimentality, the need for tenderness replace each other with incredible speed. Relatives can't keep up with your mood swings? Reassure them, there are reasons for this. We have collected the most common ones.

Is progesterone responsible for everything?

In the 1st trimester, sudden mood swings during pregnancy in the expectant mother largely depend on hormonal background, especially from an increase in the level of the female sex hormone - progesterone. Progesterone, which is responsible for maintaining pregnancy, makes the expectant mother overly sensitive, subject to the slightest emotional fluctuations and sentimental.

Increased fatigue, drowsiness, tension in the chest, nausea, possible intolerance to certain smells or foods - make the expectant mother feel uncomfortable and contribute to frequent mood swings during pregnancy.

In the 2nd and 3rd trimester, more significant physical restrictions are added in the form of an enlarged abdomen, changes in gait, and increased urination. These "natural wonders" make us feel awkward, awkward, or not attractive enough. This further contributes to mood swings.

Why is the pregnant woman crying? Psychology and fears of a pregnant woman

• Besides physiological reasons, our psyche is also responsible for the frequent changes in the mood of the expectant mother. At the beginning of pregnancy, we often begin to worry: can we become a good mother, what will happen to family relations, career, body, health, further life? After all, we bear a great responsibility for the little person inside us. This stage often takes place closer to 10-12 weeks, when the expectant mother gets used to her position and begins to accept her changed body.
• Closer to 16-20 weeks, when the time comes for the 2nd trimester, which makes it possible to more accurately judge the health of the fetus, fears about the health of the unborn baby may begin to arise. Almost all expectant mothers are subject to such fears. And it is because of these fears that the pregnant woman cries most often. Usually the stage takes place after receiving favorable tests and good ones.
• Against the background of the approaching birth and increasing fatigue at 34-38 weeks of gestation, the peak of frequent mood changes occurs again. The reason for this is the fear of the unknown, the birth itself, fear for the baby's health.

Why pregnant women shouldn't be nervous and cry

During pregnancy, the female body undergoes tremendous changes. Everything is aimed at ensuring that the baby grows and develops fully. This is provided by chemical reactions for the production of "pregnancy hormones". They are also reflected in the state of the expectant mother. Many are interested in: "Why do pregnant women cry?" The answer is simple - this is a consequence of hormonal surges that can rage all nine months of carrying a baby.

Pregnant women are able to shed tears for any reason, or even without it. And although gynecologists and psychologists explain why pregnant women should not cry, expectant mothers are very sentimental and sensitive before giving birth.

But really, why shouldn't pregnant women be nervous and cry? The thing is that future baby always feels what his mom's mood is. And, most likely, she gets upset when she is sad. This is a good reason not to give in to sadness ?!

How to cheer up during pregnancy

If your mood changes regularly during pregnancy, you often want to feel sad and cry, you need to improve it! How to do it? There are many “recipes” on how to cheer up during pregnancy.

Most The best way cheer up during pregnancy - think about the time when the baby is born, and what a wonderful life will begin in your family.

You can watch good films with a wonderful ending, read your favorite books with pleasant content, listen to beautiful music, walk more often in the fresh air, meet friends, cook delicious food and eat it in pleasant company. A great way to forget what a bad mood is during pregnancy is a show at a dolphinarium or hippotherapy. True, you don't need to ride a horse, but just taking a walk and admiring the horses is great.

And the best way to lift your spirits during pregnancy is to think about the time when your baby is born and what a wonderful life will start in your family.

Dealing with frequent mood swings during pregnancy

Frequent mood swings during pregnancy are a natural part of the “intersenous position”, caused both by hormonal and bodily changes in the body, and by the emergence of understandable fears for oneself and the baby. Doctors and psychologists usually advise:

• Feel free to cry and complain if you feel like it. It is better to ask for help and support from a person who can listen, calm down. This could be a psychologist, a friend, or a relative.
• Find good

Pregnancy can be challenging for the psyche. Perhaps doctors, friends, and family pay more attention to the physical manifestations of it, but for you, mood swings can be associated with no less difficulties.

Why do we experience a storm of emotions during pregnancy? And how to deal with mood swings during this period?

Why Mood Swings Occur During Pregnancy

From the very beginning of your pregnancy, you most likely feel differently, not how you expected. You may have thought that you would be nervous, but you are calm. Or you thought you would be ready for anything, but you feel insecure. Mood swings are common in the early stages of pregnancy.

Many expectant mothers experience a range of emotions during pregnancy. In the first trimester, it can be difficult to fully realize that you are expecting a baby. In the second trimester, feelings become more realistic and you ponder pregnancy and the future, and in the third trimester, you worry about realizing what responsibility (and joy too) motherhood bears. All this is a great emotional restructuring!

In addition, they leave their mark on the understandable feelings of anxiety and vulnerability.

Role reversal

Pregnancy also changes the distribution of roles within the family. If you are expecting your first child, then you are moving from your single or married status to a life where you will take care of a dependent baby and be responsible for it.

Changes can also occur in your relationship with your parents and your partner's parents. If this is their first grandchild, they may need to get used to the idea that they will become grandparents. Plus, many parents like to give advice, which can sometimes annoy you.

If you are expecting a second, third or fourth child, that also makes a difference. Perhaps now you are worried about whether you will be able to devote enough time to other children, whether you will cope with new responsibilities. Having a sibling can be stressful for other kids, but don't worry too much, it will pass over time.

What mood swings are common during pregnancy

Don't worry about mood swings during pregnancy. Remember, not all of these emotions are necessarily painful. You can alternately experience:

• Joy, feeling happy, or high spirits
• Depression, insecurity, fear
• Irritability
• Calmness
• Dependence on others
• Pride in giving the world a miracle
• Love for baby
• Uncertainty due to appearance, anxiety about losing control of an ever-changing body
• Absent-mindedness and forgetfulness
• Sadness for some moments from a past life
• Worries about money, caring for a child, loss of independence, changes in relationships. Fear about the birthing process, doubts about whether you will be a good mother, anxiety about other people's expectations, etc.
• Anxiety about the physical manifestations of pregnancy, such as weight gain.
• Impatience - You may feel like you've been pregnant for years
• Tearfulness

How to keep your mood swings in check

Mood swings during pregnancy are common. Here are some tips to help you get your bearings.

• Eat healthy and exercise regularly
• To reduce anxiety, start attending courses and support groups for expectant mothers, consult your doctor and psychologist, read books about pregnancy
• Share your feelings with your partner, friends, or family
• Irritability occurs more often when you're tired, so try to get more rest
• Do not self-medicate or try to self-medicate for mood swings, even herbal medications. Be sure to consult your doctor.

Right now - and this opportunity will not be presented for a long time - all attention should be focused on you, so take care of yourself whenever you get the chance. The closer you get, the more often you remind yourself that in a few years, those nine months will be a fond memory of how it all began.

Mood during pregnancy early dates can change like a sinusoid, from strong to weak, from joyful to depressed, from confidence to fear of the future. Both changes in the body and the conditions of your life play an important role in this.

Internal physiological changes accompanying the onset of pregnancy play a primary and key role. Reorganization of the body and the emotional state during early pregnancy are inseparable from each other:

• ... Taste sensations change. As a result, mood can also change. Some foods (even previously loved ones) can be intolerable to the taste, even to the point of disgust. On the contrary, other foods will make you crave to eat them as much as possible. Also, you may want to either eat nothing at all, or the feeling of hunger will follow all day long. In both cases, you should eat as your supervising doctor recommends - changes in mood and appetite in early pregnancy should not greatly affect the diet necessary for your health and the health of your baby.
• Restructuring in the central nervous system... The brain (or rather its small but very important structural part - the hypothalamus) qualitatively and quantitatively controls the regulation of hormones. And hormones - mood, and quite long. It is impossible to regulate the work of the hypothalamus on your own, so you need to adapt and be prepared for the fact that mood can change very strongly: from irritability and even anger to tears of happiness. An event and detail that hasn't touched you before can trigger a very strong emotional reaction, and something that previously worried, disturbed, or delighted you may no longer affect you. By the way, this may also concern the perception of sounds, perhaps you will want to listen to certain music more often, or maybe it will be comfortable mainly in silence.
• Metamorphoses of smell. Closely associated with changes in the central nervous system. Previously loved perfumes can, at best, cause rejection and misunderstanding of how they could previously be used and admired. The same goes for food and cooking.

Smell is a powerful stimulant of memories and mood. If there are changes in the perception of smells, you should surround yourself with those smells that cause, if not admiration, but at least a neutral attitude. Get new perfume, change something in the kitchen. Can't be ignored: mood swings due to smell can be stressful.

Pathology in the mood

Emotional swings and changes in mood can not always be explained solely by physiological reasons.

• Asthenia is a severe decay, weakness and general constant drowsiness. Those tasks and responsibilities that were previously easily given seem to be impracticable. Pallor and circles under the eyes are possible. It is better to overcome this state by rest and sleep, regular meals, and a walk in the fresh air. The main thing is not to bother yourself with activities that require strong emotional or physical involvement, so as not to expend the energy that should be spent on restoring a healthy state.
• Stress during early pregnancy is normal and common, as pregnancy, albeit natural, is very stressful. And you should organize your day so that pregnancy remains the only strong stress. The severity of stress for each person is individual and does not change much over the course of life. If you feel stressed, you should either sleep or switch to a pleasant activity, such as a hobby. This will distract you, and enjoyable and desirable activities are not stressful in and of themselves.
• Depression in early pregnancy is, in fact, rare. Most often, depressive syndrome occurs after childbirth (the so-called postpartum depression).

Depression

A serious psychiatric diagnosis that can be treated with medication: often requires the simultaneous intervention of both a psychiatrist and a psychologist.

Based on which we can assume depression:

• depressed mood after waking from sleep. Often, the mood improves significantly with the onset of the evening;
• simultaneous feeling of irritability and weakness;
• the feeling that the world has lost its colors, everything can seem gray;
• unwillingness and feeling of physical impossibility to do any business. Strongly weakened will.
• regular self-deprecating thoughts (“I bad woman and mother "," I do not deserve life on earth "," My whole life is terrible and meaningless ");
• suicidal thoughts and plans;
• self-harm attempts.

The above symptoms are also characteristic for asthenia and for ordinary. These are sufficient reasons to consult a specialist.

Depression is a disease that must be treated. If most of the signs described above have been observed in you for more than two weeks (or the last three only made themselves felt), you should immediately contact a specialist psychotherapist. If a woman has injured herself or tried to commit suicide, immediate help from a psychiatrist is needed.

Coping with depression

We recommend that you accept your mood changes as normal. Self-acceptance is often the best medicine. A change in mood during early pregnancy is a normal and correct signal indicating that the necessary restructuring of the body is taking place.

You should often turn to what brings joy and satisfaction, which can distract from everything bad (for every woman, of course, this is individual): walking in the fresh air, reading books, watching movies, going to a theater or museum, cooking, work ( working during pregnancy is not harmful, but you cannot overwork, and if possible, if there is a choice between work and caring for yourself and your health, you need to choose the latter), hobbies and hobbies (and during this period new hobbies may appear), (which , of course, cannot and should not replace everything). In some women, sexual desire fades away in the early stages, or even for the entire period of pregnancy; and for some, on the contrary, libido only intensifies. If you are concerned about this issue, then talk to your doctor, almost always sex during pregnancy is harmless and rather useful.

Professional help

Sometimes there may be a need for the help of specialists: an observing doctor or psychologist.

You are not alone in your experiences; mood changes during early pregnancy occur to one degree or another in every woman. Accept your changes as normal and natural. Do not diagnose yourself - if you have doubts about your health or emotional state, do not hesitate to see a doctor. Observe your diet and sleep patterns. Try to be in such conditions in which the mood will change, if only for the better.

Before using any drugs, be sure to consult your doctor if there are contraindications. Do not self-medicate!

Having a positive attitude while waiting for your baby is very important. But it is far from always possible to maintain a good mood. The mood during pregnancy changes often and these changes are not always for the better.

Often, expectant mothers are haunted by fears, anxieties and even real depression. How can you cope with your mood and maintain a cheerful mood?

How mood changes during pregnancy

Often, pregnancy completely changes a woman's behavior, and even close people note that she has become different. And minor mood swings occur in almost everyone. Most frequent changes:

• Increased nervousness and anxiety. It is usually observed at the very beginning of pregnancy and intensifies just before childbirth.
• Absent-mindedness and forgetfulness. Usually appear in the second trimester.
• Sentimentality and. Observed throughout the entire period of gestation of the baby.
• Self-doubt and anxiety. They usually increase with the development of pregnancy and peak before childbirth.

The manifestations of mood swings are very individual. They differ for each particular woman and can take even the most bizarre forms. No need to be surprised, the reason for most of the mood changes lies in the changes in the body and the woman's attitude to it.

How do changes in the body affect mood?

To ensure the normal development of the fetus, the woman's body has to endure serious restructuring. All of them affect the mood. The most obvious ones are:

• Changes in hormonal levels. The levels of biologically active substances in the body of a pregnant woman are constantly changing. Our mood is also controlled by hormones, so it changes periodically for no apparent reason.
• Too high physical and mental stress. Carrying a baby requires a lot of effort from a woman. If she does not take this into account and continues to work as usual, this can provoke fatigue and a deterioration in mood.
• Change in metabolism. This cause can also trigger mood swings.
• Anxiety for the baby. Most often this occurs during the first pregnancy, when the expectant mother does not yet know what is normal and what is not, and worries about any changes in the body.
• Global changes in life. For many women, pregnancy leads to a dramatic change in the usual way of life, and this cannot but affect the mood.

Physiological changes in the body often provoke nausea, which is traditionally called. This condition negatively affects the woman's well-being, her performance and, of course, her mood. Most expectant mothers change their taste sensations and preferences. Some previously favorite foods begin to disgust, and instead you want to eat something unusual.

From the outside it may seem whimsical, but the woman really does not know what she wants. It depresses her and spoils her mood. After all, you have to suffer from nausea, hunger and incomprehensible desires.

The same changes occur in the sense of smell. Any smell can sharply disgust or, conversely, become a source of joy. Often, your favorite perfume becomes a source of irritation. If a woman, without thinking, used them in the morning, the mood will be ruined for the whole day. Or, on the contrary, the smell of a neighboring construction site, caught by accident, will raise your vitality.

Don't forget about dizziness as well. They pursue many women all 9 months, spoiling the mood. It also irritates the growing tummy, which interferes with normal movement and fast movement. But what happiness every push of the baby brings. The future motherhood of many women fills with joy, which from the outside seems incomprehensible and unreasonable.

All these changes are absolutely normal and most expectant mothers experience them. Just have different women they can manifest themselves in different ways.

Although most pregnancy mood swings are normal and harmless, sometimes you need to pay more attention to them. Under the guise of banal whims of the future mother, more dangerous conditions can be hidden:

• Asthenia. This is a general breakdown and weakness. The reason may be insufficient nutrition due to nausea, overwork, constant stress. If a woman complains of fatigue and the inability to perform tasks that were previously given without problems, drowsiness and difficulty concentrating, she looks pale and lethargic, this may indicate asthenia. In this case, the expectant mother will need rest, proper sleep and proper nutrition. It is advisable to take sick leave and minimize stress.
• Stress. It is often difficult for weak and impressionable girls to combine their usual life with the responsibility for the baby growing inside. This leads to constant tension and stress. This condition negatively affects the woman's performance and the well-being and development of the fetus. To overcome this condition, you can take a little rest, ask to reduce the workload or take sick leave, and also try to tune in to the positive.
• Depression is rare, but very dangerous condition... More often it occurs after delivery (postpartum depression), but expectant mothers are also not immune from it. This disease, which is difficult to cope with on your own, will need the help of a psychotherapist and, possibly, a psychiatrist.

Depression in pregnancy

Often, even serious depressive disorders remain undiagnosed due to the fact that all problems are attributed to hormonal changes in the body. If the bad mood persists and causes serious discomfort, it is better to consult a specialist for advice. The most common symptoms of depression are:

• Constantly depressed mood, especially in the morning after waking up;
• Feeling annoying weakness;
• Constant thoughts about your own worthlessness;
• Feeling physically unable to do anything;
• Frequent suicidal thoughts up to self-harm attempts.

To some extent, all these symptoms can also occur with fatigue, asthenia and just a bad mood. But if they are pronounced, combined with each other and do not pass for a long time, interfering normal life- it is better to consult a specialist. The last two signs are especially dangerous. When they appear, you must contact a psychotherapist immediately.

Coping with depression

If the depression is not severe, you can try to cope with it yourself or with the help of a psychologist, but without medication. It is known that most pharmaceuticals can negatively affect the development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy, so it is better to choose safe methods, such as rest, walks, pleasant emotions.

If you feel that you cannot cope with your emotions, it is better to take sick leave and rest. Don't overload your already busy body.

Often the best doctor for a woman is her husband. Explain the situation to him, ask for help and support. Perhaps he will need a consultation with a psychologist. Let the specialist teach him the very basics of how to help his beloved woman and together you can overcome any difficulties.

Professional help for depression during pregnancy

In some situations, it is impossible to solve the problem of depression without the help of a professional. It is advisable to limit yourself to psychotherapy and other non-drug methods. But, if it is not possible without medication, do not be afraid and do not refuse treatment. A good specialist will be able to choose the most harmless drugs. Sedatives are most commonly recommended. They do not eliminate depression, but they help reduce anxiety and improve sleep. Sometimes this is enough for a woman's condition to improve significantly.

What to do with vagaries during pregnancy?

If a woman herself understands that there are no serious reasons for mood swings and sadness, but at the same time, from time to time she wants to cry or irritability attacks, most likely these are ordinary whims. If the expectant mother is upset by her rounded figure, nausea or other signs of pregnancy, you just need to try to relax and endure. Shopping helps to distract well. Buying clothes for pregnant women or various little things for your baby will improve your mood and help you find advantages in your condition.

If fractional nutrition, aromatherapy and others folk methods do not help to cope with nausea, you need to see a doctor, as this condition is fraught with dehydration.

In non-dangerous cases, when nausea does not threaten the condition of a woman and a child, you can try reading funny stories about toxicosis and other delights of pregnancy on the Internet. This will help to understand that almost everyone goes through such suffering, and to find something funny in them. Another way is to write yourself about your misfortunes. He will help you to look at yourself from the outside and laugh at your problems.

A good way to get rid of whims is to succumb to them for a while. Agree with your husband in advance that sometimes he will have to play along with you, agree on the time and duration of the "whimsical period" and allow yourself to relax at this time.

You can send your husband for unknown delicacies, demand a massage, switch TV channels as soon as you don't like something, etc. Just don't go overboard or drag out your rest periods to keep your spouse from feeling depressed.

How to improve your mood during pregnancy

Often, expectant mothers themselves provoke a deterioration in their mood, becoming too hung up on their pregnancy and possible problems. It is necessary to understand that carrying a baby is a natural process for a woman. In most cases, it does not pose a danger, but on the contrary, it is a source of new pleasant sensations and incredible experience.

Even if you didn’t plan pregnancy, and it came as a surprise, this is not the end of your usual life and well-organized life. This is a miracle that will give a completely new wonderful reality.

In order to maintain vigor and good mood for all 9 months, it is very important to listen to the advice of doctors, namely:

• To live an active lifestyle. It is because of the forced rejection of some entertainment and the frequent stay at home that many women have a worsening mood. But pregnancy is not a disease. The mom-to-be may well go for a walk, visit the pool, Pilates or yoga for pregnant women. You can also attend special training courses for childbirth, which necessarily include gymnastics.
• Healthy food. Deterioration of mood can be caused by insufficient or excess nutrition, uncomfortable abdomen, etc. But during pregnancy, the desire to eat something harmful, sweet, fatty, fried, etc. is often attacked. Unfortunately, such dishes often provoke nausea, heartburn and a set of extra pounds. Therefore, if you want something "forbidden" you can afford quite a bit to enjoy the taste. The basis of the diet should be healthy meals in reasonable proportions and quantities.
• Learn and develop. Often, the mood worsens due to fear of childbirth and not understanding what is happening to the body. Knowledge will help to get rid of it. Read books, watch educational films, get ready for childbirth, not only physically, but also mentally.
• Don't forget about yourself. Buy yourself beautiful clothes for expectant mothers, do hair and manicure. It helps to understand mood and self-esteem. Good idea- pregnant photo session. A professional camera will help you to look at yourself from the outside and understand how beautiful you are.
• Learn relaxation techniques. Be sure to connect your spouse to this, his help will also be needed.
• Look for pleasant emotions everywhere - watch good films, read books, go to exhibitions and walk in nature.

Learning to avoid negativity is very important. This is very difficult, since unpleasant information surrounds us everywhere. Therefore, watch the news less often, do not communicate with unpleasant people and gossips, turn off the TV if a movie scares or upsets you, and interrupt unpleasant conversations even if you have to break the rules of decency. Your well-being and baby's comfort during this period is much more important.

Sometimes you need to give vent to your emotions. If you want to cry, there is nothing wrong with that, you can just cry. But don't drive your fears and dark thoughts inside.

Remember that pregnancy is another period of life, and it will also pass, leaving in return a wonderful baby and an invaluable experience. If it is difficult, do not be afraid to ask your husband for help or tell a psychologist about it. Try to find something pleasant in every day. Soon you will meet a child, life will begin new stage, and in him there will be new difficulties and much, much joy.