During your pregnancy your hormones will change and you may experience a lot of
different feelings and emotions. Pregnancy will certainly be an interesting 9 months
of your life - you may have many reasons for happiness, and usually some extra things
to worry about too. There will be times like feeling your baby move for the first
time - an amazing and emotional experience. Babies are born every day but this one
is yours!
When a woman is pregnant, her baby is exposed to everything she experiences – the
sounds in the environment, the air she breathes, the food she eats, and the emotions
she feels. When a pregnant woman feels happy and calm, it allows her baby to develop
in a happy, calm environment. However, emotions like stress and anxiety can increase
the amount of particular hormones in the mother’s body which can affect the baby’s
developing body and brain.
The following sections will help you understand the normal psychological changes
that occur throughout the different stages of pregnancy. If you are having psychological
problems that are interfering with your daily life or relationships, talk to your
doctor and get help. Don't worry, these changes are normal considering a big life
change like pregnancy. Find some information about it.
- Psychological Changes in the First Trimester You may not be able to see the
changes that are happening during the first trimester, but they are significant.
During this time, some new mothers might be filled with a feeling of anxiety about
losing their new baby. These fears, though unfounded, are perfectly normal. Read
about the many emotions that women experience during this critical period in fetal
development.
- Psychological Changes in the Second Trimester Once the stress and anxiety
of the first trimester have passed, the emotional changes of the second trimester
begin. Though the feelings during this time will usually be less intense, they can
be equally as troubling. Many mothers begin to feel self-conscious about the weight
they are putting on to support their baby, and these feelings can lead to low self-esteem.
- Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester In the third trimester, women
are anticipating childbirth and coping with significant physical changes. While
fears of losing the baby have usually disappeared by this point, a new anxiety takes
its place -- the fear of the baby's arrival. Also, worries about labor and birth
are also common during the last three months of pregnancy.
- Dreams During Pregnancy Many women experience strange dreams about childbirth,
their newborn baby, and life as a new mother. In this section, we will tell you
about some of the more common dreams pregnant women have including dreams about
the baby's sex and nightmares about being trapped or assaulted. We will also attempt
to help understand what these dreams might mean.
- Psychological Changes in the Father At the same time that pregnant women
are experiencing major physical and emotional changes, expectant fathers are going
through emotional changes as well. Some fathers might feel left out during the pregnancy
or might become apprehensive about their ability to parent. We will run down these
common fears and offer some suggestions for dealing with them.
Here are some guidelines to be in a good mood.
Stay Connected To Your Friends
When you become pregnant or have a new baby, it's like you've entered a whole new
universe - one your childless friends may not understand. It's important to stay
in contact with your friends - continue to call them, and make a point to go out
shopping or just for lunch sometimes.
Practice Positive Self-Talk
Many times, the ways we think about ourselves can be brutal. Pay attention to the
way you talk to yourself (i.e. "I'm getting so fat") and make a conscious choice
to be kind to yourself, instead (i.e. "My body is working exactly as it should to
nurture my baby").
Keep A Journal
Sometimes writing down your feelings can help you sort them out in a way you can
cope with. Pregnancy and post-pregnancy are times of change and uncertainty, both
positive and negative. It's a good idea to write some of that down so you can better
understand what you're going through.
Confide In Someone
If you're having an especially hard day, it's helpful to confide in a close friend
or family member. They can help you put things into perspective, and allow you to
vent any anger or frustration you may be feeling.
Eat Right
Especially during the antenatal period, eating right is very important. Too much
sugar or caffeine can increase feelings of stress and anxiety. Stay hydrated and
eat a well-balanced diet to help yourself feel better.
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