A lot is happening to her body, and increased hormones mean emotions can sometimes feel out of control. She may feel angry at slight offenses, or cry over nothing more than a commercial. It is common for a pregnant woman to wonder what is wrong with her. More often than not, nothing is wrong. Barring severe depression, emotions are a natural and perfectly healthy part of pregnancy.
Hormonal Changes Are a Necessary Part of Pregnancy
The same hormones that may make a woman laugh or cry at inopportune times are the hormones that are busy supporting the tiny life inside her and preparing her for childbirth. Without these hormones, a fetus cannot survive. It is important to remember that every woman with a healthy pregnancy has these hormonal increases, and while every women will exhibit different symptoms, being emotional is a completely normal response.
Physical Changes During Pregnancy Are Often Unpleasant
A woman may be happier than she ever imagined about being pregnant, but that does not mean carrying a child will be comfortable. Morning sickness, fatigue, back pain, breast tenderness, food cravings, dizziness, headaches, frequent urination, and a swelling stomach can easily take a toll. Any of these things would be difficult to deal with, but combined with the very common lack of sleep during pregnancy, they can make any woman physically and emotionally exhausted. For this reason, it is important for the pregnant woman to allow herself sleep whenever possible, without feeling guilty. There is nothing wrong with taking advantage of a nap, as it will help both mother and baby during this time.
There is a Lot to Think About When Pregnant
Common worries can also affect a pregnant woman emotionally. While some of the changes during pregnancy are internal, there are also many to be dealt with that are external to the mother. She may worry about the physically health of her baby, giving birth, raising a child, finances, or relationships with the father, friends, or family. Even with a planned pregnancy, it is rare for a woman to feel totally prepared for all that is happening. Doubts surface that were never there before. This is completely natural. These fears come about as a result of caring for this new life and can happen to even the most stable of women.
Emotions are an Important Release
Emotions do not have to be negative. Embrace crying for what it is, a release of chemicals that would otherwise continue to surge throughout the body. Tears caused by emotions rather than reflex contain stress hormones our bodies do not need. Releasing these is good for the baby as well as the mother, as babies do receive stress hormones through the placenta. If a woman tries to constantly repress her emotions, she may be sending more of these chemicals to her baby. This can, over time, cause physical changes such as lower birth weight and an agitated newborn.
When feeling emotional, it is important for a woman to remember the transformation that is occurring on all levels. Whether happy or sad, she should be allowed by others and herself to cry it out, abuse that pillow, let it go. It is perfectly normal, even if it does feel strange.
Do you agree pregnancy is an emotional experience?
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