You just found out that you're pregnant and you're thrilled! The feeling of excitement is overwhelming as you try to assimilate the news and comprehend what kind of changes you will have to deal with.
It's important that you know that your body will change, your priorities will change, and your emotions will change as well. It's reassuring to know that most pregnant women experience unexpected mood swings. These emotional ups and downs are referred to as maternity blues, and have biological, psychological and social aspects to them. Understanding the reasons for your mood swings is the best way to deal with them.
Your Hormones
Hormones play a large role in the emotional changes a pregnant woman experiences. When you are pregnant, changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in your body cause emotional highs and lows. Just realizing that your moods have a physical cause can help you and your husband deal with your feelings and accept them.
Your Fears
Fear is also a main concern during pregnancy. Most women experience anxiety and sometimes outright fear about the well-being of the baby. Others might be traumatized by the thought of whether they will be able to cope with labor pains and delivery. Once you acknowledge a fear, it becomes easy to take steps to resolve it. Discuss your concerns with your obstetrician who should be sensitive to any mood changes that you are having. In addition to talking to the doctor, reading about labor and delivery and taking childbirth classes will help make mothers-to-be more confident about giving birth.
Your Marriage
Many women worry about how the baby will affect their marriage. You may be concerned that you won't be able to find time to spend with your husband after the baby arrives. You might also wonder whether your husband will adjust his lifestyle to accommodate your increasing need for his help and cooperation. Your best course of action is to discuss your worries with your husband. He is probably wondering what his role will be once the baby is born as well.
Your Physical Well-being
In addition to all these emotions, a newly pregnant woman often feels tired and nauseous among other symptoms. As the pregnancy progresses and these symptoms subside, you will usually start to feel better emotionally.
How to Feel Better
If your worries don't go away, take steps to resolve them. Having a strong network of family and friends will give you the emotional support you need to help you get through pregnancy's ups and downs. Surrounding yourself with other pregnant women is also recommended. They are likely to be your best source of support because you will feel linked by a life-changing experience. Focus on the good feelings and the excitement of becoming a mother. Once you get over the apprehension, you can start looking forward to holding your baby in your arms and finally getting to know him!
