What is the Effect of Mood Swings During Pregnancy on the Mother and the Baby?

 

Cried without any reason? Felt irrationally angry when your husband was 5 minutes late?

Don’t worry, this is just your pregnancy talking. Mood swings during pregnancy are entirely normal.

Pregnancy is a beautiful period and indeed the most important journey for most women. However, it cannot be denied that it is also a tough and vulnerable time. Putting aside the physical changes in the woman’s body, the emotional changes alone are enough to wreak havoc.

During pregnancy, a woman experiences a myriad of changes. These include weight gain, fatigue, pain, morning sickness and of course, mood swings. Mood swings during pregnancy can be a hard thing to deal with. Often, the emotions a pregnant woman experiences can be overwhelming and without any cause. They might feel happy one moment, angry the next, and later upset and sad.

Pregnancy mood swings are very normal and often nothing to be worried about. However, it is easier said than done. Biologically speaking, the anxiety and fear systems get naturally amped up during pregnancy. These emotions are necessary because they motivate the mother to keep the baby safe and protected. Sometimes mood swings are also accompanied by mental fogginess and fatigue.

With all that said, we should know what causes the pregnant woman’s mood to go up and down the roller coaster.

Causes of Mood Swings During Pregnancy

1. Hormonal Changes

This is the biggest reason behind a pregnant woman’s mood swings. During the early stages of pregnancy, a woman’s body is flooded with a surge of estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones are enough to shake anyone mentally. Estrogen regulates mood and is often associated with feelings of fear, anxiety, annoyance and depression. On the other hand, progesterone causes mental fatigue, sluggishness and sadness. A combination of these two is like a sucker punch to the emotions - and that is exactly what happens during pregnancy. 

2. Stress and Anxiety

Anxiety and stress are entirely normal emotions to feel during pregnancy. However, it does cause mood swings. The stress of the oncoming baby along with the anxiety that comes from worrying about the health and happiness of the baby are both completely natural. These emotions eventually lead to mood swings. During pregnancy mood swings, the husband plays a very important role as it is his job to care for his pregnant wife.