Navigating the Ups and Downs of Pregnancy Emotions

Pregnancy can bring on a lot of feelings. There's no right or wrong way to feel, but here are some tips to navigate those big pregnancy mood swings.

It's normal to experience a wide range of emotions, mood swings, and new, intense feelings during pregnancy. What's to blame? Well, for one thing, pregnancy is a major life change and it's normal to have strong and even conflicting feelings about everything you're going through and the big changes that are still coming, especially if you are not receiving ample support.

For another, your body and brain are going through major physical adjustments, including rapid changes in physical shape and size, a massive increase in fluid volume, and a huge adjustment in the levels and types of hormones that are flooding your body as it grows another human. (Or for some people, more than one human!)

"Hormonal changes play a huge role in your moods during and after pregnancy," explains Lucy Puryear Nutter, MD, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and author of Understanding Your Moods and Emotions When You're Expecting. "All [pregnant people] are different, but in some, the emotional changes can be extreme."

The good news is, there is no such thing as a "bad" emotion—emotions are part of life and definitely a part of pregnancy! You're allowed to feel all the feels as you go through your pregnancy journey. And if you're looking for a little more insight into exactly why you might be feeling everything so intensely, here's a guide to pregnancy emotions and mood swings, why and when each happens, and how to cope.

The Link Between Pregnancy Emotions and Hormones

Once a fertilized egg implants in your uterus, the developing placenta begins to secrete hormones that are essential to your baby's growth. That's because human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which rises sharply in the first trimester then dips and levels off around four months, keeps the embryo firmly implanted in the uterine lining. Progesterone and estrogen, which increase throughout the nine months, also rise to help sustain the pregnancy and cause the buildup of nourishing blood vessels.

"This hormonal bath, which is so beneficial to the baby, is sometimes very hard for you to take," explains Dr. Puryear. HCG, for example, may cause morning sickness. Estrogen can produce a sense of well-being, intense emotions, and extreme mood swings, including high highs and low lows. Excess estrogen is also linked to anxiety, depression, and irritability, while progesterone plays a role in anxiety levels and may cause feelings of sadness as well.

You might feel emotions similar to those you felt before pregnancy, but just at an elevated level. A commercial that might have made you simply pause before could now leave you sobbing; a mistake at work that normally would have been a blip in your day could instead throw off your entire day.

All of the ups and downs are normal and can be part of the pregnancy journey for some pregnant people. Feeling intense emotions doesn't mean anything is "wrong" with you or your pregnancy. In fact, pregnancy mood swings are very common. That being said, it's also important to assess how you are coping and talk to a health care professional as needed. In some cases, mood disorders can develop during pregnancy and left unaddressed, may develop into postpartum depression or postpartum anxiety.

Common Pregnancy Emotions (and How to Deal)

Every pregnancy is different and every pregnant person will feel different things over the course of their pregnancy. Remember, there's no "wrong" way to feel, and how you feel might change day to day or even hour to hour during your pregnancy. Life has its ups and downs and so does pregnancy.

But here are some of the most common emotions pregnant people report experiencing, along with some suggestions for navigating through those big emotions. And if you feel you need some extra support, don't hesitate to reach out to a medical provider about your mental health.

Blissfully happy

Why you may feel this way: "Estrogen can produce a sense of well-being," explains Dr. Puryear. "Then again, a lot of [people] are just really excited and happy about being pregnant." She adds that some pregnant people who may have been trying to conceive for a while may feel especially strong emotions of happiness, although again, that's not always the case.

How to cope: Just try to enjoy it, and remember these moments when you're feeling less than stellar. If you are feeling the opposite of happy, remember that's also very normal! Pregnancy is a major life change, so it's normal to have mixed emotions. Give yourself permission to be honest about your feelings. Some helpful ways to express yourself include journaling, talking to other pregnant people who might feel the same way, or seeking out therapy.

Teary and irritable

Why you may feel this way: "Hormones appear to play a significant role in the precipitation of emotional issues during pregnancy," explains Geetha Shivakumar, MD, an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas with a background in clinical research in perinatal mood disorders.

"Common symptoms are irritability, sadness, or anxiety, and they may be [more] prominent in certain months of pregnancy," adds Dr. Shivakumar. For example, the fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone in your bloodstream can make you especially moody during the first trimester.

How to cope: First, explain to your support system that you're experiencing some pretty heavy emotions. By making sure the people around you understand that your feelings aren't necessarily centered around them, you may be able to feel more comfortable sharing your experience and nip any potential relationship tension in the bud.

Second, take care of yourself: Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help abate the negative feelings and support the positive ones. "Good physical well-being is important for emotional well-being," says Dr. Shivakumar. "Preliminary data also suggest that eating omega-3 fatty acids may improve mood symptoms."

Finally, if you have a history of depression, be sure to tell a health care provider, since depression can not only recur during pregnancy but can also linger and become more severe after you give birth.

Upset Pregnant Woman Argue With Husband
YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock

Surprisingly sexual

Why you may feel this way: They don't call the second trimester the "honeymoon phase" for nothing. During this stage of pregnancy, your abdomen size is most likely still manageable and you may find certain changes to your body alluring.

Additionally, the increase in blood volume during pregnancy leads to more blood flow everywhere, which can make sexual sensations more pleasurable and intense. "Your nipples and genitals are more sensitive, so you may feel more sexual," says Dr. Puryear. "Plus, the uterine contractions during orgasm feel more intense when you're pregnant."

How to cope: As long as you're cleared for sexual activity by a prenatal health care provider, go ahead and lean into your sexy feelings. Whether partnered or solo, sex and orgasm can be extra satisfying. But even with the potential for satisfying sex, remember that many people report reduced sexual desire at some point during pregnancy, and that's OK too.

Fatigued and foggy


Why you may feel this way: In tandem with progesterone, hCG levels may be behind the crushing exhaustion and morning sickness many people experience in the first trimester. The fatigue, while normal, may also make you feel a little more foggy than usual. You might notice you're misplacing your phone more often or forgetting details you normally don't, for example.

How to cope: You might find it helpful to write down your thoughts and to-dos. Having a list can not only help you feel organized but it can also prevent you from forgetting them entirely.

Most importantly, move your body even if you don't feel like it. "To give your energy and mood a boost, exercise," urges John Hobbs, MD, an OB-GYN at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and a clinical instructor at Northwestern University in Chicago. "I tell my pregnant patients that taking a swim will make them feel a whole lot better." But the pool is not the only place to get in some mood- and energy-boosting exercise. A good-old walk around the block can be just as beneficial (and a lot more convenient).

If you're extremely exhausted and mentally sluggish, share that with a health care provider. They may want to perform tests to rule out conditions such as anemia (caused by having too few red blood cells) or hypothyroidism (a low-functioning thyroid gland).

Depression During Pregnancy

Another emotional challenge you might experience during pregnancy is feelings of depression or anxiety. "For decades, pregnancy was thought to be a period of emotional well-being," says Dr. Shivakumar. "However, studies have suggested that pregnancy poses a risk for recurrence of depression in women with prior histories of major depression."

While an estimated 10% to 20% of pregnant people show symptoms of major depression during pregnancy, some pregnant people mistakenly believe their feelings are the result of normal hormonal changes and do not consult a health care provider. But when left untreated, mental health disorders during pregnancy can be dangerous to both the pregnant person and the baby.

For instance, untreated perinatal depression is linked to substance use disorders in the pregnant person, lowered nutrition levels, premature birth, low birth weight, and even later cognitive, emotional, and developmental problems for the child.

If you have any of the following symptoms for two weeks or more, discuss them with a health care provider immediately:

  • Change in eating habits
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Intense sadness or anxiety
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities
  • Recurring thoughts of death, suicide, or hopelessness
  • Sleeping too little or too much

Treatment options include support groups, cognitive behavioral therapy, light therapy, and pregnancy-safe antidepressant medications.

How To Cope With Pregnancy Mood Swings and Emotions

If you're still feeling a little overwhelmed by all the different emotions pregnancy can bring, here are some additional tips to keep in mind as you navigate this journey.

Remember that there's no perfect way to be pregnant

Go easy on yourself and do your best to accept yourself and your feelings. Just like there's no perfect or even one "right" way to parent, there's no best way to experience pregnancy. Even the best parents have bad days, challenging emotions, and deal with frustration and stress. You're human!

Don't place unreasonable expectations on yourself

Odds are, you're juggling a lot right now. From being pregnant to work to other family and personal responsibilities, you have a lot going on. The last thing you need right now are any expectations to be perfectly in control of your emotions too.

Give yourself permission to cry

There's no shame in crying! Especially if you cry over sappy advertisements, realize it's just business as usual during pregnancy.

Be honest about how you're feeling

Talk openly to your friends, partner, and other family members about your moods and feelings. It will help you to feel less alone—and likely help them to be more understanding.

Flip the script

Remove the words "I'm supposed to feel [fill in the blank]" from your vocabulary. There is no right or wrong when it comes to pregnancy emotions. Instead, welcome and honor your feelings, whether they're positive or negative.

Remember that you matter after pregnancy too

Be aware that the first six weeks after delivery, and beyond, are difficult for every new parent and that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your baby.

Repeat this mantra

Commit to memory and repeat this mantra often: "I don't have to be a Super Parent." Sometimes, it's just about getting through the day, and that's OK.

Key Takeaways

Rest assured that's is completely normal to experience a rush of intense emotions and mood swings during pregnancy. But that doesn't mean that dealing with all these feelings is easy. Give yourself grace as you cope and trust that there is no one right way to feel. Ask for support from friends and loved ones and seek help from your doctor or a mental health professional if you feel overwhelmed or don't know how to handle your pregnancy mood swings.

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Sources
Parents uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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  2. A Partner's Guide to Pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 2023.

  3. Prenatal Depression Risk Factors, Developmental Effects and Interventions: A Review. J Pregnancy Child Health. 2017.

  4. Quality of Sexuality during Pregnancy, We Must Do Something-Survey Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2023.

  5. Perinatal depression: A reviewCCJM. 2020.

  6. Untreated Depression During Pregnancy and Its Effect on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Cureus. 2021.

  7. Depression Among Women. Centers for Disease Control and Depression. 2023.

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