Mood Swings
Mood swings are normal if they occur occasionally. However, if mood swings occur frequently and disrupt your personal life, there is a possibility that this condition is related to a mental health disorder, namely bipolar disease. Mood swings are changes in mood (mood) that are clearly felt or seen. Basically, these changes in mood and emotions can occur occasionally and are not caused by certain disorders. People with certain personality types, such as ENTP, are also said to be more likely to experience mood swings. However, if it interferes with daily activities or is accompanied by other signs, mood swings should be suspected as symptoms of a mental disorder.
During pregnancy, your mood changes quickly, for example, you become angry, sad, or even cry for no apparent reason. This is normal. However, this can disrupt the daily activities of pregnant women. Rapid mood changes or mood swings during pregnancy usually occur in the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. This can be caused by several factors, such as hormonal changes, changes in the body, lack of sleep, fatigue, anxiety and stress.
Causes of Mood Swings in Pregnant Women
One of the factors that can make pregnant women experience bad moods during pregnancy is hormonal changes. During pregnancy, the hormones estrogen and progesterone in the body will increase significantly. This is what affects neurotransmitters (chemicals in the brain) that regulate mood.
Apart from hormonal changes, other factors that can influence a pregnant woman’s mood are:
- Stress.
- Fatigue.
- Changes in body metabolism.
- Discomfort that arises during pregnancy, such as morning sickness, breast pain, and constipation.
- Unsettling thoughts, such as whether he will be a good parent, whether the baby will be born healthy, or what it will be like to give birth.
Differences in mood swings in each trimester
Mood swings can indeed occur during the pregnancy process. But each gestational age can cause different mood changes. The following are the differences in mood swings that occur in each trimester:
- First trimester mood swings.
The first trimester is the time to adapt to all the hormonal changes that occur. Nausea, vomiting, changes in body condition, and the many taboos expressed by those closest to you often make pregnant women feel emotional. In the first trimester, your mood will be dominated by feelings of sadness, worry, anxiety and fatigue. Don’t hesitate to discuss this with your partner. By expressing the mood that the pregnant woman is feeling, it will help the husband to understand the mother’s condition. - Second trimester mood swings.
The second trimester is often referred to as the honeymoon phase. Hormones still change, but they don’t fluctuate like the first trimester. In the second trimester, pregnant women will feel more energetic than before and morning sickness will decrease. Even so, there are still several triggers for mood swings that might occur, such as changes in body shape and information that causes anxiety. The long list of complications that mother and baby may suffer also has the potential to trigger worries that overshadow the mother’s daily life. However, not all pregnancy mood swings are negative. Some pregnant women actually experience an increase in libido and sexual desire during the second trimester. This may occur because they are starting to feel better physically, and because there is increased blood flow to the pelvic area. - Third trimester mood swings.
In the third trimester, pregnant women may experience fatigue again because the baby is getting heavier and bigger. One of the impacts is difficulty sleeping which causes mood changes. On the other hand, fear and worry about the upcoming birth can be more intense during the last trimester. This comes along with concerns about becoming a mother. However, there is a new mood that mothers may experience in the third trimester, which is called nesting. Nesting is a desire to clean the house and physically prepare for the baby’s arrival. Not all pregnant women experience nesting. This is an example of a positive mood. However, some pregnant women also experience nesting which leads to anxiety when they feel they have not prepared enough for the birth of their baby.
Some tips for dealing with mood swings during pregnancy
Here are several ways that pregnant women can do to overcome mood swings during pregnancy:
- Share stories with others.
Not all problems and discomfort have to be borne alone. There are times when pregnant women have to share stories with the people closest to them, for example their partner, about what the pregnant woman is feeling. This is useful for reducing the anxiety and burden on pregnant women’s minds, so that the mood swings that pregnant women experience can be resolved. - Write a pregnancy diary.
If pregnant women are not used to telling various complaints to other people. There is another alternative, namely by writing it in a pregnancy diary. The reason is, writing a pregnancy diary can also help calm the mind and reduce the stress that pregnant women may be feeling. - Pamper yourself.
Pampering yourself can make pregnant women forget the anxiety they are feeling. Try pampering yourself by doing various things that pregnant women enjoy, for example watching movies, hanging out with friends, or going to your favorite spa. - Exercise regularly.
It cannot be denied that exercise during pregnancy has many positive impacts. One of them is reducing stress and anxiety which can cause mood changes quickly during pregnancy. Pregnant women can do light exercise that pregnant women like, such as walking, Pilates or swimming. - Get enough rest.
Apart from exercising regularly, don’t forget to get enough rest. Getting enough rest will prevent pregnant women from feeling excessively tired, thereby reducing the risk of pregnant women experiencing mood swings. - Do relaxation.
Using various relaxation techniques can help overcome the mood swings that are often experienced during pregnancy. This is because relaxation can reduce stress levels and create feelings of happiness in pregnant women. So, relaxation techniques that pregnant women can do include yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and muscle relaxation. - Stop blaming yourself.
Sometimes mood swings can be caused by worry and guilt, for example because you feel you can’t prepare the best for the birth of a baby or worry about not being a good parent. Remember, pregnant women must stop blaming themselves and don’t insist that everything goes perfectly. That way, pregnant women will feel calmer and will also avoid mood swings during pregnancy.
These are several ways that pregnant women can apply to deal with rapid mood swings during pregnancy. However, if mood swings are felt to be very disturbing, pregnant women should consult a doctor about this to get the right treatment.
The role of husbands in overcoming mood swings in pregnant women
Apart from mothers, husbands must also use the following methods to help overcome the mood swings experienced by their wives, namely as follows:
- Invite to chat or talk.
When your mood is uncertain, one of the best ways to restore a pregnant woman’s mood is to chat with her. You can open a confiding session, so that your wife pours out all her thoughts and feelings. While your wife is talking, listen attentively. Don’t criticize his change in attitude, as that could make him feel misunderstood. Listen to his complaints patiently. - Make sure your wife gets enough sleep.
Mood is difficult to control when pregnant women are tired or lack sleep. So, make sure your wife gets enough rest. If your wife can’t sleep well at night, let her continue sleeping in the morning or remind her to try to sleep during the day. - Invite them to do fun activities.
Do things that make him feel happy, such as taking him on a trip, on holiday, watching a film at the cinema, having dinner at a romantic restaurant, or inviting him to do things he likes. This exhilarating activity can relieve stress. - Accompany exercise.
Invite your wife to exercise, because this activity can make her mood better. Just do light exercise, such as taking a leisurely walk in the morning or evening. Apart from that, you can also take her swimming or take a yoga class for pregnant women. - Give a touch full of warmth.
Apart from reducing his bad mood, touch in the form of a light and gentle massage from you can make the relationship warmer. The wife will also feel cared for and loved. Apart from a light massage, you can also kiss and hug him.
Apart from the methods above, husbands can also do the following things:
- Don’t let pregnant women get tired at work.
- Install aromatherapy in your room to create a feeling of comfort and relaxation.
- Always accompany a pregnant woman when she goes to a specialist obstetrician and gynecologist or midwife so that she doesn’t feel alone.
- Give him a surprise, for example giving him a gift, taking him to see a film at the cinema, or going on a babymoon. This will make him feel loved and appreciated.
Do some of the tips above to help overcome the bad mood felt by pregnant women. But if after using the tips above, your mood persists or gets worse, you can consult a gynecologist.
