Many women happily anticipating pregnancy dread the arrival of the infamous mood swings that supposedly go hand-in-hand with conception. These mood swings are normal, particularly during the first and third trimester, but don't allow them to take over your pregnancy. Understanding what causes mood swings in pregnancy plays a key role in helping you both accept and manage them, and in doing so, help ensure that your pregnancy is a joyful experience.
Hormone Shifts
Starting in the days leading up to conception, your body's hormone levels adjust and fluctuate to help prepare your womb for the arrival of the fertilized egg. Once the egg implants in the lining of your uterus, your hormone levels effectively go berserk, building up and changing constantly to help ensure that your body provides adequate care for your unborn baby.
According to Dr. Roger W. Harms, a board-certified ob-gyn and author of the book "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy," the shifting levels of these hormones--mainly progesterone and estrogen--may account for some of your pregnancy mood changes. These same hormones are also responsible to a lesser degree for the moodiness many women feel in the days leading up to their menstrual cycle. Dr. Harms suggests that you lessen the effect of these hormones on your day-to-day life by eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of sleep and trying to exercise every day, which can help to boost your endorphin levels, your body's feel-good hormones.
Pregnancy Discomforts
From sore breasts and nausea to lack of sleep and back aches, many physical discomforts occur during pregnancy. Combined with your shifting hormone levels, these discomforts may just be more than you can handle, leading to irritability, aggression, tearfulness or other moods. Counter the effects of these physical discomforts by carving out time for yourself each day. Pamper yourself with a spa treatment or take a long bath. Dr. Raymond Poliakin, clinical professor emeritus at the University of Southern California and author of the book "What You Didn't Think to Ask Your Obstetrician," suggests that you also consider taking time to enjoy some of your favorite hobbies.
Life Changes
According to Dr. Poliakin, pregnancy promises major changes in life, a fact that often causes stress and leads to mood swings. Whether you're experiencing your first pregnancy or your fifth pregnancy, chances are you've thought about how your new baby will impact your life. Dr. Poliakin notes that common concerns many pregnant women think about regularly during gestation include your unborn baby's health, miscarriage, birth defects, labor and delivery and managing finances.
Thinking about these things means nothing more than the fact that you're a normal pregnant woman. As a general rule, try not to fixate on them, which could cause you to lash out at those around you. Build your support groups; talk to your partner, friends and relatives, sharing your concerns and worries so that you don't feel alone. According to Dr. Poliakin, you should talk to your obstetrician if your mood swings begin to last all day or start to affect how you live your daily life.
References
- "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy"; Dr. Roger W. Harms; 2004
- "What You Didn't Think to Ask Your Obstetrician"; Dr. Raymond Poliakin; 2006
