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Emotional Changes
Depression/Anxiety
Many pregnant women feel downright joyous one minute then
crash into tears the next. These up and down mood swings are just
a part of the hormonal changes going on in your body. These hormonal
changes set up the environment for mood shifts.
Emotional Mood Shifts
When any woman gets pregnant, she worries
about the health of the baby and the pain of labor. She considers the
future and how she will adjust to being a mother, along with a hundred
different issues, all surrounding the addition of a baby into her life.
What to do about moods
Most of these anxieties can be eliminated
by asking us medical questions or just telling us your worries. If
depression really gets you down, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Expect these mood shifts, and don’t think
something is drastically wrong when they occur. No matter how much a
woman wants a baby, she still may feel inadequate once she becomes
pregnant. The key to working through depression and anxiety is talk. You
should communicate your feelings, even if you think they are too
embarrassing. And try not to worry. It won't help now or in the future. Concentrate on
living your life one day at a time.
When you feel anxious, pamper yourself
with a warm, relaxing bath. Keep your thoughts on today’s events, not
what could happen tomorrow. Make
it a point to get out of the house
every day, even if only for a short walk. Reach out to others when you
need a comforting word.
Knowledge can erase many of your worries...so read books on pregnancy and child
care. Prenatal classes are also a great idea. Pregnancy is a fascinating
subject, especially when you are in the starring role. Since this source
cannot cover all aspects of pregnancy and delivery, why not check out
some books and read until your heart’s content.
If you still feel depressed, be sure to talk it over with us. It can affect your overall
health. Let us help you discover that pregnancy can be a time filled
with joy and happiness!
Sexual Changes
With your mood shifts come other
emotional changes, too, including your feelings about sex. Desire for
sex may rise or fall significantly during pregnancy. If you lose
interest in sex, don't worry. It happens to a lot of women and doesn’t
usually last long. Be sure to discuss your feelings with your partner
and have him read this section.
All these physical changes may have you wondering what
you’ve gotten yourself into. Try not to fret because you will return to
normal after delivery. Remember, pregnancy is a natural process and a
woman’s body is designed to handle it with a minimum of stress.
Your
mind is changing, too, right along with the fluctuation of your
hormones. Mood swings are very common in pregnancy!
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