Changes in the body image, hormones and one’s attitude towards cultural pressures and expectations lead to emotional changes in pregnancy.
Psychological Changes in the First Trimester of Pregnancy include -
- Mood swings
- Feeling irritable and snappish
- Panic attacks and feelings of anxiety
- Bouts of feeling unsure and panicky
- Extreme reactions to minor things and even crying
- Heightened stress and anxiety due to the fear of miscarriage, especially if there is a previous history of miscarriage
Psychological Changes in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy include -
- A sense of general well-being develops as the fear of miscarriage disappears and the physical discomforts of the first trimester have diminished
- Worry about the weight gain
- Self-doubts and lowering of self-image
Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy include -
- Increased anxiety and concern about labor and the delivery, especially in first-time mothers
- Difficulty in concentration at the task in hand
- Anxiety about the baby’s health
- Experiencing strange dreams