Reviewing Your Emotions

While every pregnancy is a unique experience for each woman, some changes are common to all of them including both physical and emotional changes that require understanding to have a positive experience after birth.

During the first trimester, changes are minimal and uncertain as the evidence of pregnancy begins with just a missing period until conception is confirmed. Then, shortly afterwards physical changes begin most of the time with vomiting, nausea, breast tenderness and fatigue varying in intensity.

Emotions during the first trimester are more likely unstable going from depression to delightful or crying with little or no cause, but also other feelings as well coming with no apparent reason. These mood changes and swings are caused normally by hormonal changes.

While the second trimester is going on, things around pregnancy seems to be more tranquil as the morning sickness passes, and the emotions are more centered on feeling the baby move. However, the perception of fetal movements may lead to dramatic changes in some pregnant woman.

Women feel more motivated and excited during the second trimester perceiving the baby as a real person to care for, and the beginning of wearing maternity clothing during this stage makes them feel better with themselves, focusing all their attention on childbirth preparation.

As the third trimester arrives combining a sense of inner pride with anxiety around labor and delivery that sometimes can leads to fears due to the increasing physical discomfort and sleeplessness due to inability to find a comfortable position.

Women's emotions are intense and vary from one woman to the next, but are normal in every way.