How you might feel: the emotional ups and downs of pregnancy
Mood changes in pregnancy are normal and common. Here is what is usual, what is not, and where the line sits.
Pregnancy can stir up a huge range of feelings, sometimes all in the same day. You might feel excited and tearful within the same hour, or find yourself worrying about things that never bothered you before. This is incredibly common. Big shifts in hormones, tiredness, changes to your body, and the sheer size of what is coming can all leave your emotions feeling closer to the surface than usual. Feeling wobbly does not mean you are doing anything wrong, and it does not mean you will not be a wonderful parent.
For many people these feelings come and go. You have low days and brighter days, you can still enjoy things, and you can usually settle yourself with rest, a chat, or a bit of time. That ebb and flow is a normal part of pregnancy for a lot of us. It is also completely okay to feel less than glowing, the idea that pregnancy should be a blissful time can make it harder to admit when it is not, but plenty of people find parts of it tough.
There is a difference, though, between the normal ups and downs and something heavier that settles in and stays. If low mood or anxiety lasts most of the day, most days, for more than a couple of weeks, or if it is getting in the way of eating, sleeping, working, or connecting with people, that is worth telling your midwife about. The same is true if the feelings are very intense or frightening. This is not you complaining or wasting anyone's time; how you feel is a genuine part of your antenatal care.
A few things can take the edge off the wobbles. Gentle movement, getting outdoors, talking to someone you trust, lowering what you expect of yourself, and protecting your sleep where you can all help. So does naming the feeling out loud rather than pushing it down. None of these are a cure for a true mental health difficulty, but they support your everyday wellbeing.
If you ever feel you cannot cope, that you do not want to be here, or that something is really wrong, please reach out straight away, to your midwife, your GP, or by calling 111. You will be met with care, not judgement. Your wellbeing matters every bit as much as your baby's, and the two are closely linked.
Source: NHS