If there is one phase in life where we truly feel like we are on an emotional roller coaster, it’s during pregnancy1. It’s a time when we experience a range of feelings and sensations all in a single day. Many people end up not understanding why this happens, and some relationships even become shaken during this period without knowing what’s going on, including some partners who can’t understand or accept mood swings in pregnancy.
This is a complicated issue for us women too, as we have these feelings and mood changes without understanding them, going from laughter to tears in minutes and for no apparent reason. This is a very common feeling during pregnancy and is linked to hormonal fluctuations and all the changes happening in our bodies and systems during this stage.
When It Happens
That’s why it’s more common to happen in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, when the body hasn’t yet adapted to the hormone surge it’s going through. In the last weeks of pregnancy closer to delivery, mood swings can return even stronger2.
After all, besides the hormonal roller coaster, anxiety takes over at this time. There’s the anxiety of seeing the baby soon, the fear of not being a good mother, the worry over the layette and whether you have managed to arrange everything needed, and of course, the anticipation of delivery, which is one of the things that keeps mothers up at night.
How to Deal with Mood Swings During Pregnancy?
This is especially tough for husbands, after all, facing a woman who is laughing with joy one second and crying as if someone had died the next is pretty intense lol. But believe me, it’s not easy for us women either!!
Having feelings we can’t understand makes us even more confused lol. The best way to handle these mood swings during pregnancy is to understand that this will happen until the end of the third trimester and that it’s nothing personal against anyone.
Psychological Preparation
Prepare yourself mentally to deal with harsh words or snappy answers, lots of sudden crying and unexpected laughter. Try to find the humor in the situation instead of turning it into a battleground, and don’t be upset if you try to please her and she reacts differently from what you expected—after all, it’s uncontrollable and not even she knows why she’s acting this way.
Being understanding at this time is essential to get through this period peacefully and without bigger conflicts. Take things lightly, and if you think it’s best, take a few minutes apart and take a deep breath before responding. After all, no one has nerves of steel and we all know how difficult it is to deal with certain things, but in this case it’s worth it to count to 1,000.
Attention and Affection
Women usually need affection and attention in general, and during pregnancy this need increases even more. So don’t spare any effort to show her affection at this time. A foot or back massage, cuddling while watching TV together, or an unprompted compliment are like gold during this period. She is already dealing with all the bodily changes, hormone levels through the roof, and most of the time her self-esteem is very low.
It’s up to the husband to offer support and help keep these feelings in check. Don’t forget, she is growing a baby and, even with all the changes in her body and weight gain, she is still a woman and wants and needs to feel good and beautiful. Helping her with housework and daily chores is also a way to please her and reduce stress during these mood swings. The less overwhelmed she feels, the calmer she will be.
Dads, actively participate in the pregnancy and show interest in every detail of this moment, whether it’s shopping, medical appointments, or even in choosing items for the layette and always remember, take a deep breath and have lots of patience with every reaction that displeases you—after all, pregnancy doesn’t last that long and soon your loved one’s mood will be back to what it was before.
Warning Sign
It’s important to point out that if you notice sadness outside of the norm, daily and persistent melancholy, the obstetrician should be informed and, if necessary, refer her to a therapist. Pregnant women have a higher risk of developing depression3, and if it persists after birth, it can lead to postpartum depression.
