Pregnancy and birth are two life-changing events that are bound
to bring out both the best and worse in any woman. Some women report
being more cheerful and patient, while others are as grouchy as a
grizzly bear. One thing is for certain- most women experience moods
swings that are equivalent to a roller coaster ride during pregnancy and
during the initial months after birth!

These mood changes are caused by the hormonal changes in your body
during this crucial phrase. Your body starts producing more progesterone
and oestrogen, two hormones that helps develop your growing foetus and
gives you a healthy pregnancy.

However, the extra doses of these hormones can interfere with your
feelings – one minute you may be smiling and cheerful, and the next
minute you may be shouting or snapping at everyone around. You will find
yourself easily irritated, for instance, when the air-conditioner
temperature rises, the phone line doesn’t work or when your husband
turns up a few minutes late.

Apart from the hormonal changes, you may also have problems with
nausea, fatigue, backaches. Coupled with fears about your impending
birth, whether becoming a mother will affect your career and how you
will need to change your lifestyle, there is little wonder that you feel
more jittery than usual!

The good news is that your emotional turbulence usually gets better
once baby is born. You’ll be your usual lovable self again once you and
baby have settled down to a comfortable routine of feeding, bathing,
nappy-changing, sleeping and playing (not necessarily in that order!).

The tough part is that your family, mainly your spouse and other
children will have to endure your mood changes! Although you can rightly
say it’s the hormones that are turning you into a moody monster, it can
be hard for them to understand especially if they have not been through
it before.

Fortunately there are ways to help regulate the mood swings so that they don’t get out of control. Try these tips:

IF YOU HAVE SMALL CHILDREN, you might find it
tiring having to take care of them and your pregnant self. Get help from
your spouse or domestic helper, first by explaining that your pregnancy
is making it difficult for you to cope with your usual duties.
WITH OLDER CHILDREN, explain why you are unable to
join them for sports or other strenuous activities like before and
promise that you will make up for lost time once baby comes.
WHEN YOU FEEL RISING ANGER, retreat from the room
and take some deep breaths to calm down. This works well whether you’re
at home, at the office or at your in-law’s house!
GET ENOUGH REST AND SLEEP to lessen the mood
swings. If your backaches makes it difficult for you to fall asleep, get
your spouse for a gentle back rub. Taking a glass of milk also helps
you sleep better.
LEARN RELAXATION EXERCISES such as meditation and
visualization. Imagine bringing baby home, with everyone happily waiting
for your arrival, ooh-in and aah-ing when they see your bundle joy.
AT WORK, your sudden (and sometimes irrational)
outbursts might annoy and startle your colleagues or staff. Make it a
point to apologise later when you’ve calmed down so that they won’t take
your outbursts personally.
SLOW DOWN if you have a hectic lifestyle. Take time
off work or delegate so that you can have more time for yourself.
Listen to some relaxing music, read a book or take a slow leisurely walk
when you feel your nerves being wrangled.
TAKE A WARM SHOWER at night before bedtime to relax but avoid long hot baths that can be harmful for your baby.
MAKE TIME TO EXERCISE as it helps build stamina for
the labour process later. Exercise also releases feel-good hormones
called endorphins, which helps regulate mood and makes you a glowing,
not a growling mommy!
WATCH YOUR DIET by avoiding caffeinated drinks and
foods that are high in sugar and monosodium glutamate (MSG), as they
tend to make you feel more tense.
TAKE REGULAR MEALS, as skipping a meal will lower your metabolic rate. Hunger makes you edgy and snappy.
SHARE YOUR FEELINGS with someone you trust such as
your spouse, sister, mother or best friend. Whether it’s something small
such as having swollen hands and feet or a fear that your baby may not
be growing well, talking it over with someone will release tension and
help you see the problem in a different perspective. Cry it out if you
have to.
LOOK GOOD to feel good. Shop for pretty maternity
clothes that make you feel more confident about your new life adventure
as a mommy. It’s hard to feel happy when you’ve outgrown all your
existing clothes and feel uncomfortable about meeting people with a
protruding abdomen.
BE KNOWLEDGEABLE about pregnancy and birth. Knowing
what to expect lowers anxiety levels and makes you less likely to be
irritated by the changes in your body. Apart from books, websites and
information brochures, talk to experienced moms who can share a wealth
of knowledge with you!
IF YOU SUSPECT YOU’RE DEPRESSED, speak to your
doctor about it as it can affect the way you handle the pregnancy and
birth. The classic symptoms of depression are extreme sadness,
difficulty sleeping, eating, concentrating, or making decisions. You
also appear to lose interest in work and play. Untreated ante-natal
depression also may lead to post-natal depression.

But why do hormones increase so rapidly when a woman gets pregnant? Please answer this question

I’m exercising throughout the week, doing something I enjoy. I’m watching what I eat, how much, and when. I’m getting adequate amounts of sleep (though it’s starting to feel like I need a LOT more…). It’s to the point that I threw a tantrum yesterday in front of my family. I’m terribly embarrassed. I don’t enjoy behaving this way. I just… I didn’t actually realize that it was happening until it was done.

I’m grateful for any thoughts on the subject.