Pregnancy causes many changes in your body. If you’re in your first trimester, you could feel fatigued and nauseous and have more frequent urges to urinate.
Many of your pregnancy symptoms happen as a result of the hormonal whirlwind that’s occurring in your body right now. But did you know these hormonal changes can affect you mentally as well?
Keep reading to explore the different ways that pregnancy can affect you mentally and emotionally.
Are you looking to talk to someone about your pregnancy or learn more about free resources? Contact the Alabama Pregnancy Test Center today to schedule a confidential appointment.
Mood Changes During Pregnancy
Finding out you’re unexpectedly pregnant can cause you to feel many emotions at once—stress, worry, anxiety, excitement, etc. And on top of all this, your body is going through some major hormonal shifts, which can affect your mood and emotions as well.
During early pregnancy, it’s normal to feel:
- Moody: Have you been laughing one minute and crying the next? Do you waver back and forth between feeling excited about your pregnancy and nervous?
This is completely normal and to be expected. Those early pregnancy hormones that can trigger nausea and fatigue can also cause you to feel especially moody.
- Mentally drained: Have you been having trouble focusing? Does your mind seem to wander, or do you just want to shut down altogether? Those early pregnancy hormones are likely to blame.
- Stressed: Worrying about all the things that come along with pregnancy can cause your stress levels to reach an all-time high.
Every woman is unique—and whether you’re experiencing all these changes or none at all, it’s normal.
How to Manage Mood and Mental Health During Pregnancy
The mood and mental health changes that happen during pregnancy can make you feel overwhelmed, but there are strategies you can take to manage your feelings:
- Find ways to destress: Whether you take a walk, listen to your favorite music, journal, or get a pregnancy-safe massage, these can all be ways to destress and relax.
- Learn all you can: Sometimes, the stress that occurs during pregnancy stems from worry about what will happen. The best way to combat worry-related stress is to learn all you can about your pregnancy to know what to expect.
The more you know, the more confident (and less stressed) you will feel.
- Talk to someone you trust: Pregnancy can cause an emotional storm, but sometimes, the best way to find calm in the midst of it all is to talk to someone you trust. Talking is a beneficial way to get your feelings out in the open so that you can manage them.
We’re Here for You
Navigating pregnancy can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone in this. At Alabama Pregnancy Test Center, we’re here for you.
Contact us today to learn about all the ways we’re here to support you. Whether you’re looking for a listening ear or free resources, we’ve got you covered.