How Will Pregnancy Affect Me Mentally?

Pregnancy causes your body to go through many changes, but did you know that it can also affect you mentally? Here is how pregnancy might affect your mood and emotions.

If you’re looking for a safe, welcoming space to talk about your pregnancy and learn about free resources, schedule a free, confidential appointment with The Well Clinic.

Pregnancy hormones and mood

Many different factors, like diet and physical health, can affect your mood and mental state. However, hormones can be one of the main factors that dictate your moods.

Hormones (opens in a new tab) are, most fundamentally, “chemical messengers” that command bodily functions, including mood and emotional responses.

During pregnancy, your unique hormone levels change dramatically, and this abrupt change can cause you to experience a rollercoaster of emotions and moods.

Mental effects by stage of pregnancy

Pregnancy has different stages, and each stage can cause different mental effects.

In the first trimester, your hormones change rapidly, which can catch you off guard and cause you to feel:

• Moodier than usual. Crying one minute and laughing the next is normal and even expected during early pregnancy.
• Irritable or anxious. Although pregnancy hormones can cause you to feel more stressed than usual, the added pressure of an unexpected pregnancy can add to this feeling as well.
• Mental fatigue. The physical fatigue that accompanies early pregnancy can make you feel mentally drained as well.

During the second and third trimesters, your moods will likely stabilize more. However, it’s still common to have moments of high-intensity emotions, especially when feeling stressed or tired.

Next steps

Navigating an unplanned pregnancy can feel overwhelming, let alone the emotions that can arise due to pregnancy hormones. But you’re not alone in this. Make a free, confidential appointment and let our team walk with you.