Mood swings during pregnancy – why it happens and what to do.

Pregnancy is a life changing event. In the case, you are pregnant or are supporting somebody through pregnancy, you most likely have had some involvement with mood swings. You are not the only one; mood swings during pregnancy are normal. You might be super excited about your pregnancy, but you can also feel concerned and anxious. You may have steady stresses that add to your emotional episodes.
In pregnancy, there a lot of questions that parents ask to themselves. Will I be a good parent? How am I going to oversee financially? Will my child be healthy? Am I doing the correct things to get ready for my child? Pregnancy is an extraordinary occasion brimming with physical and mental changes. Understanding the reasons for these changes may help you to cope with it better.

Causes of mood swings during pregnancy.

Mood swings during pregnancy can be caused by physical burdens, fatigue, changes in your digestion, or by the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Changes in your hormone levels can influence your level of neurotransmitters, which are brain chemicals that regulate your mood. Mood swings are generally experienced during the first trimester between 6 to 10 weeks and after that again in the third trimester when your body gets ready for birth. It is good to know that you are not the only one; mood swings is simply a part of the pregnancy encounter. Realizing that what you are facing is ordinary and to some degree expected may enable you to adapt.

What to do if you experience mood swings during pregnancy.

Here are a few easy and effective tips from experienced kiwi mums that may help you.

• Rest. Get plenty of rest. Sleep when possible. Take a nap. Try to find time to relax during the working day.
• Physical activity. Try to do regularly physical exercises. You’ll find a lot of them on YouTube for different stages of pregnancy. Don’t forget your pelvic floor exercises. Take regular walks. During the day try to find a few minutes to go outside of the office to get fresh air and have a short walk. Maybe you want to try pregnancy yoga?
• Eat well. Don’t forget to spoil yourself with yummy things. I know, you can’t eat some food that you like but that may be a good chance to discover new tastes.
• Entertain yourself. Spend time with your partner. See a movie with a friend. And how about shopping? Buy a few outfits for your changing body to look great and feel confident and comfy. And how about cool stuff for the baby? Don’t forget to check our maternity and breastfeeding dresses and tops.
• Relax. Get pregnancy massage. Try meditation. A warm bath with aroma candles and natural soaps can change everything, trust me. And who said that you can’t have a piece of cake or ice-cream in the bath?

If nothing helps…

In the case when the mood swings last longer and don’t appear to show signs of improvement, we recommend to seek a medical advice. Depression is another thing that you can face during pregnancy. Millions of women around the globe suffer from depression during pregnancy and early parenting. It is crucial that you talk to your LMC about your options.