Pregnancy mood swings

Posted on 2 February 2015

From crying and shouting to laughing, mood swings during pregnancy can be hard to handle… both for you and your partner. The good news is they’re perfectly normal. Nicky Abdinor, a clinical psychologist at Mediclinic Milnerton, explains.

Just because you’re not having your monthly period doesn’t mean your hormones are sleeping on the job. In fact, when you’re pregnant it may feel like they’re in overdrive, with your moods changing at a moment’s notice.

Understanding mood swings
‘Mood swings are common in pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester and then again in the third trimester when your body is preparing for birth,’ explains Nicky Abdinor, a clinical psychologist at Mediclinic Milnerton. ‘With the surge of hormones, fatigue and physical stressors, most expectant mothers can feel up and down throughout the day. Irritability is common and the smallest thing could send you into tears.’

It’s not only the considerable physical transformations you’re experiencing that result in mood swings, but also contemplating how much your life is about to change. ‘There are many mixed emotions when you’re pregnant,’ says Nicky. ‘You feel excited one moment and the next you may become stressed and overwhelmed about the responsibilities of becoming a mom and the changes to your body.’

Taking control
While it’s tempting to try to control the emotional aspects of pregnancy, there’s a limit to how much power you hold. However, there are ways to ease the intensity of mood swings. Nicky offers the following advice:

1. Communicate
‘For first-time moms, it’s helpful to meet other expectant moms who can empathise and share their experiences,’ she says. ‘Many strong friendships are formed during antenatal classes.’ Even more important than chatting with other prospective moms is connecting with your partner. ‘Your partner is often uncertain about how to deal with the mood swings, so it’s best to communicate how you’re feeling. Often they’re sharing the emotional ups and downs and are also overwhelmed by new responsibilities and uncertainties – will they be good parents and will you both be able to handle financial pressures?’ Knowing your partner and friends are there to support you can often be the key to handling changeable emotions.

2. Get enough rest
‘Fatigue is closely linked to mood swings, so make sure you get enough rest, especially if you’re working full-time. Consider taking your maternity leave earlier or look at options to work from home part-time,’ suggests Nicky. Your pregnancy is a time to slow down, take care of yourself and prepare for what’s to come.

When to see your doctor
‘While mood swings are very normal during pregnancy, if you find that they continue to be intense or worsen over time, it’s a good idea to chat to your gynaecologist or midwife about how you’re feeling,’ suggests Nicky. ‘Women with a history of depression, anxiety or other mental health problems may be more vulnerable to relapse, so if you recognise any similar symptoms or feelings, it’s best to consult your doctor or previous therapist who knows your history.’ If you’re regularly tearful, irritable or generally negative about the future, it’s also advisable to speak to your doctor.

Yet what’s most important is not being too hard on yourself. Enjoy your special experience and take comfort in knowing that while you may feel emotional, with a baby growing inside of you, you’re never alone.

 

The information provided in this article was correct at the time of publishing. At Mediclinic we endeavour to provide our patients and readers with accurate and reliable information, which is why we continually review and update our content. However, due to the dynamic nature of clinical information and medicine, some information may from time to time become outdated prior to revision.