Psychological Changes In Mothers During Pregnancy
There is no doubt that many women pregnancy is a moment of pure happiness, even if we must take into account the fact that it is a phase characterized by emotional fragility. In fact, the pregnant woman undergoes a great deal of psychological disturbances and changes, such as the feeling of fatigue or intense depression.
The change undergone by the body, the fear of childbirth and the questions about one’s ability to be a mother are cause for anxiety in expectant mothers. Unfortunately, the psychological changes that occur during this period are particularly intense and often worrying.
What are the psychological changes in the pregnant woman we refer to? How do they manifest themselves? And what are the recommended remedies? In the following lines we give an answer to all these questions.
Psychological changes in mothers during pregnancy
Pregnancy is a period full of physical and psychological changes. Significant psychological disturbances, such as anxiety, depression, or psychological fatigue, can be experienced during gestation.
1. Mood changes during pregnancy
Usually, the changes in the mood of the pregnant woman appear without following any particular logic. They are strongly influenced by hormonal disorders present during the first trimester of pregnancy, responsible for the alteration of the woman’s behavior, her perception of things and her mood.
However, mood swings during pregnancy can be difficult to bear, as they usually manifest themselves in the form of strange desires, such as discomfort at certain smells or foods, or nausea and vomiting, in the initial period. This phase is characterized by questions and doubts about pregnancy, emotions, anxieties and fears that can cause ailments of a certain severity.
2. Depression
Depression is a disease that affects thoughts, actions and feelings. Some pregnant women are more vulnerable to depression at this stage of their life and come to experience severe pain.
Additionally, the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy often cause anxiety and depression. Relationship tensions or the difficulties of a couple’s life, combined with physical discomfort, can cause depression in the pregnant woman.
It is necessary to treat depression during pregnancy because it can cause serious problems for the mother, such as miscarriage or premature birth. Consequently, problems also arise for the little one, such as the danger of giving birth to an underweight baby.
3. Anxiety
Pregnancy is not necessarily a period of complete joy: for many women it is also a phase characterized by anxiety and fear. A woman’s body undergoes transformations and changes that can interfere with her daily life. Additionally, hormonal changes sometimes increase emotional instability, causing anxiety in women.
As we have already mentioned, during the last months of pregnancy, expectant mothers are affected by intense psychological disorders. It is a period that raises numerous questions and concerns, among which we can highlight:
- Fear of miscarriage.
- Fear of childbirth.
- Concern that the baby is not in good health.
- Fear of losing the baby.
- Uncertainty about the possibility of not being a good mother.
Simply put, the anxiety of the pregnant woman can lead to an increased risk of premature birth or the possibility that the baby will be born with a very low weight. Consequently, it is important to keep this state under control during the months of gestation. Fortunately, in most cases, a woman’s anxiety does not cause serious consequences.
4. Psychological fatigue
During the three trimesters of pregnancy, expectant mothers experience changes in their physical and psychological state. These are the main characteristics of each phase:
- First trimester of pregnancy. Hormones such as progesterone cause changes in sleep patterns. During this time, nausea and vomiting are common. Women feel severe psychological fatigue and have an irresistible desire to sleep.
- Second trimester of pregnancy. The level of progesterone decreases. Expectant mothers feel less fatigue, vomiting episodes finally stop and sleep disturbances are less frequent. However, in the case of iron deficiency, fatigue can increase.
- Third quarter. It is usually marked by the return of fatigue. Sleep can also be disturbed. At this point, the uterus and the baby begin to feel their weight on the mother’s body. Consequently, feeling fatigue in the final stage of gestation is a completely normal phenomenon.
Basically, during these nine months, the pregnant woman is subjected to considerable emotional fragility and major hormonal changes. The future mother is subject to important alterations and intense psychological disturbances. For this reason, he needs both physical and emotional support. The role played by the partner is therefore of fundamental importance!
