Published 10/08/2024
Updated 06/24/2025
8-minutes read!
During pregnancy, your body goes through tremendous physical and emotional changes due to hormonal shifts. While the anticipation of welcoming a new life is wonderful, these hormonal changes during pregnancy can lead to emotional ups and downs. Understanding these changes can help you handle your emotions with confidence and grace.
Hormones are critical in preparing your body for pregnancy, supporting your baby’s development, and getting your body ready for childbirth and breastfeeding - not just for making you feel crazy! The main hormones that surge during pregnancy include:
Estrogen: One of the most essential hormones during pregnancy, estrogen helps develop the placenta and fetal growth. Estrogen levels in pregnancy increase blood flow and encourage the development of milk ducts in the breasts.
Progesterone: This hormone prepares the uterus for the baby and helps maintain the pregnancy. However, higher progesterone levels can also relax the muscles in your body, which might contribute to feelings of fatigue and pregnancy mood swings.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG): Known as the pregnancy hormone, hCG is produced right after conception. Its rapid increase in early pregnancy is often responsible for nausea and mood swings.
Oxytocin: Known as the labor hormone or "love hormone," oxytocin supports labor contractions and promotes bonding between mother and baby. It also plays a role in managing stress and emotions.
From feelings of excitement and connection to bouts of anxiety and irritability, the emotional shifts mirror the body's physiological changes, creating a dynamic and sometimes unpredictable experience. These hormonal shifts affect different emotions at each stage of pregnancy!
Estrogen levels in early pregnancy change rapidly in the first trimester, so it’s often the most emotionally intense. The surge of hCG and progesterone can cause a range of emotions—joy one moment and anxiety or irritability the next. These hormones also lead to physical symptoms like fatigue and nausea, making it harder to regulate emotions.
Emotions to expect:
Mood swings
Anxiety about the pregnancy and the future
Feelings of vulnerability
Tips for coping:
Self-care is key: Don’t hesitate to prioritize rest and relaxation. Whether it’s a short nap or doing something you enjoy, permit yourself to take breaks.
Communication: Let your partner or support system know what you’re feeling. Sharing your thoughts and concerns can provide emotional relief.
Nutrition: Eating balanced meals, even small ones, can help stabilize mood swings.
Many women find emotional stability during the second trimester as their body adjusts to pregnancy hormones. Estrogen and progesterone levels are still high, but you may feel more in control. This period is often called the "honeymoon phase" of pregnancy due to the relief from nausea and fatigue and the excitement of feeling your baby move for the first time.
Emotions to expect:
Improved mood and energy levels
Emotional connection to the baby
Increased confidence about motherhood
Tips for coping:
Exercise: Gentle physical activities like walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga can boost your mood and energy.
Bonding with your baby: Consider spending time talking to your baby or keeping a pregnancy journal to track your emotional journey.
Connect with other expectant moms: Sharing your experiences with others going through the same stage can be comforting, whether through prenatal classes or online groups.
As your body gears up for childbirth, oxytocin levels rise, which can bring both calming feelings and stress, especially as your due date approaches. The physical discomfort of a growing belly, backaches, and trouble sleeping can also contribute to third-trimester anxiety, and the anticipation of childbirth and parenting can bring on a mix of excitement and fear.
Emotions to expect:
Anxiety or fear about childbirth
Impatience as the due date nears
Heightened excitement to meet the baby
Tips for coping:
Practice mindfulness: Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or pregnancy affirmations can help ease anxiety and promote relaxation.
Prepare for birth: Attend prenatal classes or read up on childbirth to feel more prepared and in control. Having a birth plan in place can alleviate some of the anxiety.
Stay connected: Lean on your support system, whether that’s a partner, friend, or doula. Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider can also help alleviate concerns.
Prenatal depression and anxiety are significant mental health conditions that affect up to 10-20% of pregnant women, though they are often underdiagnosed and overlooked in the medical community. These conditions can manifest as persistent sadness, overwhelming anxiety, irritability, or feelings of hopelessness that last beyond the normal emotional fluctuations of pregnancy.
Unfortunately, because many of the symptoms overlap with common pregnancy experiences—such as fatigue, changes in sleep, and mood swings—prenatal depression and anxiety often go unnoticed or are dismissed as typical pregnancy discomforts. Studies have shown that only about 50% of women experiencing these conditions receive the care they need, highlighting the gap in mental health screening during prenatal visits.
The stigma surrounding mental health, combined with the tendency for both healthcare providers and women themselves to prioritize physical health over emotional well-being, often means that these issues remain unaddressed, even though early intervention is crucial for the health of both mother and baby.
Signs to watch for:
Feeling persistently sad, anxious, or overwhelmed for more than a few weeks
Trouble sleeping, even when your body is tired
Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy
Intense feelings of guilt or hopelessness
If you experience these symptoms, talking to your healthcare provider is important. Emotional well-being is just as important as physical health during pregnancy; support can help you through it.
Set realistic expectations: Pregnancy is full of surprises, and it’s okay not to have everything figured out. Focus on one day at a time and be kind to yourself.
Accept help: Whether a friend offers to cook a meal or a partner helps with chores, let others support you.
Educate yourself: The more you understand about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum, the less anxiety you’re likely to feel. Knowledge can be empowering.
Seek professional support: Consider talking to a counselor or joining a pregnancy support group to express your emotions and receive guidance.
Knowing what hormones increase during pregnancy and by understanding their emotional impact will help empower you over the next several months. Remember that every pregnancy is unique, and it's okay to reach out for support whenever you need it. You are not alone on this incredible (and often emotional) path to motherhood.
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Erica is a seasoned content writer and journalist with a deep passion for transforming complex topics into compelling, relatable narratives. Since launching her writing career in 2009, she has championed the power of storytelling to educate, inspire, and connect with readers on a personal level. Erica excels at diving deep into subjects through meticulous research, then crafting stories that are not only informative but also unforgettable. With expertise in marketing, education, sustainable medicine, pregnancy, and motherhood, she has a unique ability to create content that resonates deeply with her audience. Erica is particularly passionate about how advancements in these fields can empower women, enhance their well-being, and create lasting positive impacts.
Erica is a seasoned content writer and journalist with a deep passion for transforming complex topics into compelling, relatable narratives. Since launching her writing career in 2009, she has championed the power of storytelling to educate, inspire, and connect with readers on a personal level. Erica excels at diving deep into subjects through meticulous research, then crafting stories that are not only informative but also unforgettable. With expertise in marketing, education, sustainable medicine, pregnancy, and motherhood, she has a unique ability to create content that resonates deeply with her audience. Erica is particularly passionate about how advancements in these fields can empower women, enhance their well-being, and create lasting positive impacts.
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