Early Pregnancy Emotions, Pregnancy Feelings and Pregnancy Hormones

Hop On - The Ride Is Something Else!

Our hormones and the effects they have on our entire being have been the brunt of jokes for years. Who hasn't seen the t-shirt that says, "I'm hormonal and I have a gun"? Sadly, for some of us, that's truer than most people think. It seems life goes along quite well until early teens and menses. Then the hormones kick in and life becomes a series of ups and downs. We can tell when ovulation is about to happen by watching our moods. Certainly, we've all known that just before ovulation we can slip into a funk that makes us depressed and moody. Ovulation emotions turn on with the rush of hormones necessary to release the egg from the ovary in preparation for fertilization. Suddenly our partners can't figure out what they've done wrong: we're angry, crying, moody and distant - all at the same time.

Pregnancy Hormones And Emotions

Hormones. We bless them and we curse them. Pregnancy hormones are the same ones that are generated during ovulation, only once conception takes place a whole new dimension is required to ensure the baby is properly nourished and the body is adequately prepared to carry, birth, and ultimately feed this new person. Granted, some women are much more sensitive to hormonal changes during pregnancy, but regardless how you're affected by pregnancy hormones, you will be affected. From the first glance at the home pregnancy test that shows a positive result, hormones are at work. Those pregnancy feelings of fear, joy, the heart pounding so hard you think you might need an EKG; they are all hormone related. The hormonal bath that is vital for the baby's life, wreaks havoc on the mom. Morning sickness, moodiness, and crying all vie for top billing - such are pregnancy emotions in the first trimester.

First Trimester...

Early pregnancy emotions can register frustration, anger, and feelings of being out of control. As your body is adjusting to baby, hormones cause feelings of exhaustion, illness, and a murky brain because you can't think straight. While this is easier said than done, it is best to let as much go as possible and focus on sleeping when you can. Let people have an opportunity to help - this is a good time for it. It won't be long before your pregnancy will yield joy as you hear your baby's heartbeat and feel the movement of a tiny body swimming around.

It's Getting Better

By the second trimester hormones have leveled off, nausea is gone and a baby belly is starting to protrude from your abdomen - all is right with the world and you're pregnancy is smiley and happy. However, an emotional downturn could come with the suggestion of an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling to check for birth defects and Down syndrome. Older women are often counseled to take the blood tests which could result in a miscarriage. The stress leads to all sorts of emotional havoc and many women vow after having had such testing, never to do it again. Then there's the loss of your figure and stress on the marriage - and on top of all of that, fear can climb on for the ride as you're getting closer to delivery.

Here We Go Again

It is so important to harness runaway pregnancy emotions and rein them in - they can cause a lot of harm to both you and your baby. If they've gotten way out of hand, seek the help of your doctor in getting a grip. You're closer to having the baby and baby emotions are an entirely different thing all together. Once the baby is born, your emotions take another trip - baby emotions range from passionate love to helplessness, from nurturing to pushing the baby away. It's all part of the program - so be ready for it.

When The Pregnancy Is Ended

If the pregnancy is terminated in either a spontaneous or clinical abortion, then there are abortion emotions that attend that event. Hormones don't immediately return to normal, so all of the hormonal emotional ups and downs will remain for a time. The feelings following an abortion range from relief to sadness, happiness to feelings of loss. While some women feel they've done the right thing, many grapple with the negative emotional responses of grief, guilt, anger, regret and shame. About 30% of women who have an abortion experience longer lasting negative feelings. If the feelings persist or are overwhelming, then professional help may be necessary.