Your Trimester-by-Trimester Guide: Pregnancy Emotions

Looking down at that positive pregnancy test, you feel your heart racing. Life, as you know it, will never be the same again. Use the following trimester-by-trimester guide to the intense mood swings and emotions you may feel during your pregnancy, to prepare yourself. And know that, "yes, it's normal."

First Trimester Pregnancy Emotions
This trimester begins with you finding out about your pregnancy. Emotions of joy, if you've been planning this pregnancy, or fear, if you haven't, are expected. These emotions change very fast as you begin adapting to the changes taking place in your body. Hormones start going "crazy". One moment you are weepy, the next you're laughing.

During this trimester, you tend to feel like you're losing control of your emotions, and the ability to handle physical symptoms such as vomiting and exhaustion. You may feel embarrassed every time you visit your gynaecologist. The feeling of readiness, mentally and financially, for this pregnancy and baby may cause stress and fear for you and your partner.

What should you do
Let go of the need to control your emotions.
Rest and sleep as much as possible.
Share your emotions with female friends.
Let go of your inhibitions in front of your gynaecologist. Remember that he or she has "been there, done that" many times. Find a female gynaecologist if necessary.

Second Trimester Pregnancy Emotions
For me, this trimester brought relief as I was no longer heaving night and day. This stage of the pregnancy finds some ladies feeling energetic. First signs of "showing" and experiencing your baby's first kicks can be a great source of happiness.

This trimester also comes with the added stress of deciding whether to test your baby for possible birth defects like Down syndrome. The other aspect that causes stress during a pregnancy is the strain put on the relationship with your partner. Some men, understandably, find it hard to empathize with your growing needs and emotions during pregnancy. This trimester is also the time you may feel unattractive due to your changing body shape. Just remember that this is temporary.

What should you do
Equip yourself with knowledge about the tests and consult your doctor before you make a decision.
Share your emotions with female friends.

Third Trimester Pregnancy Emotions
By this trimester, you're tired of being big and exhausted. You may start feeling uncomfortable. Finding a comfortable position on your bed to get some rest is difficult. During this trimester, the days seem to be crawling towards your due date. Feelings of anxiety and excitement for your labor and delivery may fill you.

This trimester may also find you feeling paranoid that something may be wrong with the baby every time you feel something unexpected. It is normal to worry. Then comes the big day - this day is the mother of all the emotional days you've had. The feeling of holding your baby in your arms for the first time will almost erase everything you've felt for the past 9 months.

What should you do
Stay away from story-tellers who feel the need to relate their detailed, graphic delivery story to you.
Pay your doctor a visit if you're worried that something may be wrong.
Share your emotions with friends.
Ask for help.
Take walks.
Enrol yourself, with your partner, in a childbirth class.

Just remember that it's alright to feel disappointed if you are not experiencing that dreamy pregnancy you always imagined. You don't have to feel the need to be grateful or be beaming with that "special glow" all the time. Each woman's experience and emotions are different. It doesn't change the way, and how much you love your baby. It's funny that, after going through all these emotions, we'd hop back onto this roller coaster ride again and again. Welcome to Motherhood!