The emotional highs and lows of pregnancy

It’s utterly normal to experience heightened emotional moods during pregnancy thanks to the abundance of hormones flying around your system.

Add to this the ambivalence you may feel about the impending responsibility of becoming a mom and it can all start to feel a little overwhelming.

The first thing to do is to acknowledge that you’re not Superwoman. We all have expectations about how we’d like to experience this time of our life and sometimes we’re too hard on ourselves. Media images of young, beautiful, pregnant celebrities out socializing are a familiar sight these days – but bear in mind they’re snapshots of a single moment and it’s likely those celebs feel just like you: happy, sad, worried, tired, angry, confused and insecure at different points.

Accept that this is a time of great change, both mentally and physically, and you’ll realize that this conflict of emotions is actually perfectly normal. Explain to your partner how you’re feeling rather than bottling it all up and potentially taking it out on him. See making time for one another and mood swings for more information. And do keep in mind that if you don’t get any respite from your negative symptoms you might have prenatal depression. It always helps to talk to someone else, so talk to your friends about how you are feeling.

The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.