“Pregnancy’s Emotional Rollercoaster: Navigating Common Negative Feelings” is a collaborative post.
Pregnancy can often be romanticized as an idyllic time filled with bliss and glowing skin, but let’s be real. Pregnancy can bring many unexpected emotions along with it that may not have been predicted beforehand. Acknowledging all emotions experienced throughout your pregnancy, no matter how “negative” they seem, is important, because you are human, not an idealized Pinterest mom-to-be. In this blog, we will discuss some common emotional challenges associated with pregnancy and why it’s okay to experience them all.
Fear and Anxiety Over the Unknown
Pregnancy can be an intense source of fear and anxiety over what lies ahead. Questions such as “Will my baby be healthy, will I make good parent choices, will there be enough finances or long-term plans?” come quickly into focus and can feel very overwhelming. Fear of the unknown is both natural and an indication of your concern for others. Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can intensify these worries, turning small concerns into full-blown anxiety spirals. If you find yourself continually searching “Is it normal to feel (symptom here)”, know that you are not alone. Give yourself a break. Get some advice as needed from professionals or others who have gone through similar experiences. Remember no one has all of the answers, and that is okay.
Frustration with Physical Changes
Pregnancy transforms your body in ways you may not anticipate or welcome, such as swelling, stretch marks, nausea and fatigue. Changes which can leave you feeling like less of a goddess than before, something which is totally understandable and justified. Society often pressures pregnant people to embrace “the glow,” yet not everyone feels radiant when dealing with morning sickness or adapting to an unfamiliar body. Instead of beating yourself up for not loving every second, focus on what your body has accomplished instead. Producing life is no small task. And if venting about any discomfort is what helps, find someone who listens without judgment. A little humor about swollen ankles may go a long way toward making you feel better and confident during pregnancy. Shopping for maternity clothes online that make you feel confident could also make a difference.
Guilt Over Mixed Feelings
While pregnancy should be the happiest time in your life, sometimes there may be mixed emotions during the process that make it less than ideal. Perhaps instant connection doesn’t happen right away or activities you once enjoyed have been put on hold during this pregnancy. Any number of events could bring on this emotional roller coaster ride and have you questioning whether you are doing things “right.” But rest assured, there’s no such thing as “right.” Pregnancy is an emotional rollercoaster ride and it’s okay if emotions arise. Talk it over with someone trustworthy such as your partner, friend, or professional who will give you some space allowing this experience to unfold naturally.
Conclusion
Pregnancy can be an incredible, life-altering journey, yet it can also be hard, messy and full of contradictions, and that’s OK. Feeling fear, frustration, guilt or resentment doesn’t make you an inadequate mother-to-be, it means you are human. Acknowledging these emotions helps deal with them more efficiently while reminding yourself you aren’t alone. Acceptance and navigating pregnancy’s less picturesque sides are part of that incredible, unpredictable journey toward parenthood.
