Psychology of Pregnant Women

August 4, 2011

Psychology of Pregnant Women

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Pregnancy is an experience full of growth, change, enrichment, and challenge. It is a time when you as a couple confront your fears and expectations about becoming parents and begin to determine your own parenting style. Forthcoming parenthood causes psychological changes in both mother and father.

Psychology of Pregnant Women

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The following sections will help you understand the normal psychological changes that occur throughout the different stages of pregnancy. If you are having psychological problems that are interfering with your daily life or relationships, talk to your doctor and get help.

Psychology of Pregnant Women

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Don't worry, these changes are normal considering a big life change like pregnancy. In the following sections, you will learn to identify common changes, including:

Psychological Changes in the First Trimester

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Most people believe that all pregnant women are glowing and happy. The truth is that women experience many emotions during pregnancy, starting with the first trimester.

MindMind-Body Interactions in the Mother-toMother-to-be

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Although all pregnancies have certain general similarities, each pregnancy is special. Shifts in your body image, changes in your hormones, and your attitude toward cultural pressures and expectations all combine to make your pregnancy unique. Each of the physical landmarks of pregnancy is accompanied by specific psychological issues that affect your perception of that particular part of your pregnancy. For example, if your pregnancy was planned and wished for, you and your partner undoubtedly responded with joy and anticipation to the news that you have conceived. If the pregnancy was unexpected, you may initially have mixed feelings about it.

MindMind-Body Interactions in the Mother-toMother-to-be

Interactions between your body and your mind occur throughout your pregnancy. For example, a high level of stress in your life or negative feelings about being pregnant may contribute to some of the nausea that occurs in the first trimester (three months). And the nausea and vomiting may make you feel less than enthusiastic about your pregnancy. y It's important to remember that because of this interaction between mind and body during pregnancy, trying to maintain a positive outlook may actually alleviate some physical ills.
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The First Trimester

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Numerous psychological changes occur once you are aware that you are pregnant. Although you may not look any different to other people for weeks to come, you start to feel a number of changes beginning. A rapidly changing emotional state is one of them. Your usual emotional highs and lows are magnified at this time, and if this is your first pregnancy, these feelings may confuse you. Situations that normally would not bother you provoke you to tears or cause you to become depressed or angry at yourself or those you care about.

The First Trimester

These sudden emotional swings are more pronounced in some women than in others. This depends on your personality structure, the kind of stress you are experiencing, and the emotional support you are receiving, as well as hormonal changes in your body. y Since the risk of miscarriage approaches 20 percent in the first trimester, you may worry about whether the pregnancy will continue. If you have had a previous miscarriage, this is a time of heightened stress and anxiety.
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The First Trimester

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Talking to a friend or a counselor might be very helpful at this time, especially if the feelings of anxiety and tension appear to significantly interfere with your day-to-day activities. Also, it is important to try to get as much rest as you can during the first trimester because rest helps you feel better. If there is a lot of stress in your life, you may want to modify it, if possible, or attempt to learn some relaxation techniques to help you cope with it. Meditation and yoga are two helpful relaxation techniques.

The First Trimester

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Relaxation techniques will continue to benefit the expectant mother throughout her pregnancy. Go to the next page to learn about the changes that happen during the second trimester.

Psychological Changes in the Second Trimester

After the emotional stress and anxiety of the first trimester, you can expect a lighter mood in the second trimester, but there are still issues that can come up for expectant mothers. y During the second trimester (months four through six), a sense of general well-being develops. The fear of miscarriage has usually disappeared, and the physical discomforts of the first trimester have diminished.
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Psychological Changes in the Second Trimester

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The most overwhelming event during the second trimester occurs at the time of fetal movement. In first-time mothers, this generally occurs at about 20 weeks. It can occur a little bit earlier if this is a second or subsequent child.

Psychological Changes in the Second Trimester

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Psychologically, you may begin to feel increased dependence on your partner. You have more needs than usual, and you may worry about whether your partner will be available, interested, and able to support you during this time of change. During the second trimester, both vaginal lubrication and blood flow to the pelvic region increase. These changes, plus the diminishing of the nausea and breast sensitivity of the first trimester, may increase your desire to have sex with your partner. You may wonder if he still considers you attractive. Some women and men, particularly in this weight-conscious society, associate weight gain with unattractiveness. Talking to each other about this should help alleviate many of your fears and misconceptions, so you and your partner can enjoy a healthy sex life during your second trimester.

Psychological Changes in the Second Trimester

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As the expectant mother's body continues to change rapidly, so do her emotions. Go to the next page to find out what changes occur during the third trimester.

Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester

After the second trimester, expectant mothers begin to prepare for childbirth, both physically and emotionally. y The third trimester is the time of anticipation. Soon the nine months will come to an end, and your baby will be born. First-time mothers usually have increased anxiety and concern about labor and the delivery. Prepared childbirth classes, usually begun in the seventh or eighth month of pregnancy, are very helpful for educating parents-to-be about what they can expect.
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Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester

Usually by the time the third trimester has arrived, any ambivalent feelings about the pregnancy have been resolved. During this time, you may feel very special. If you have had difficulty with infertility, the pregnancy may take on more than the usual significance. y During the third trimester, the baby begins to take on an identity of his or her own. You may set up the nursery at this time and make the final decision about a name for your child.
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Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester

Some people treat a pregnant woman in a deferential way. They may offer her a chair in a crowded room or a seat on a crowded bus. However, this deferential treatment has some negative aspects as well. Some people believe a pregnant woman's ability to function professionally is diminished. If you are still working outside the home, you may face this. y Also, many first-time mothers report that their coworkers become increasingly anxious as the delivery date approaches, and you may find yourself needing to re-assure coworkers that you feel fine. Talking with a colleague who has been through a pregnancy and continued working can be particularly helpful. She can share with you how she dealt with her work situation.
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Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester

If you are not at risk for complications, you can probably continue to work up to your delivery date. But many other factors affect this decision -- finances, health benefits, and so on. Make your decision based upon your own needs. Many women work until their due date. Others find they want some transition time away from their employment before their child is born. y How you feel about the physical limitations of the third trimester is a reflection of your concerns and feelings about impending motherhood. First-time mothers have a great deal of anxiety about whether they will know when labor will start. In women who have had previous children, Braxton Hicks contractions may be so strong that they also may not know when real labor has started.
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Psychological Changes in the Third Trimester

During this time, you may need extra attention from your partner, your family, and your friends. You may need reassurance regarding your physical appearance, especially if your sex drive has diminished again, as well as reassurance regarding your ability to be a good parent. y Now you've got the tools you need to navigate the psychological changes that happen to the expectant mother during her waking hours. Go to the next page to discover common dreams that pregnant women experience.
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Dreams During Pregnancy

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During pregnancy you may find that you are much more vulnerable to certain fears and concerns. For example, pregnant women are often more anxious about the possibility of bodily harm. Situations you ordinarily take for granted, such as riding in a car or engaging in sports, may provoke some anxiety. These anxieties may surface in your dreams.

Dreams During Pregnancy

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Dreams may be realistic representations of your fears, or they may take the form of surrealistic nightmares. Dreaming about your worries is normal and may help you to deal with them during the day. Be reassured that dreams do not represent life as it is-or as it will be once the baby is born.

Dreams During Pregnancy

A progression of themes may occur in your dreams throughout your pregnancy. Dreams about pregnancy and babies often begin in the first trimester. Uncertainties about your new role as a mother may surface in dreams about your inability to care properly for your baby. Such dreams are normal. y Pregnant women often dream of being trapped, and in many ways this is a direct representation of fears and concerns about the future. Especially if you have worked outside the home, you may be frightened about how having a baby will impact your ability to continue your outside interests.
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Dreams During Pregnancy

Many mothers-to-be dream about having a child of one sex or the other. These dreams may reflect your preference for a child of a particular sex. y Another common theme in dreams is looking for a child or having lost a child. These dreams usually occur toward the end of the pregnancy, when you begin to anticipate the delivery of your child. They may reflect your concerns about the health of your baby. And, in a sense, a loss is about to occur -- when you give birth and cut the umbilical cord.
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Dreams During Pregnancy

Assault is another theme that may occur in your dreams about pregnancy, reflecting your worries that if you were to be assaulted or injured, the consequences might harm your baby, as well as you. Also, as the pregnancy continues and your body enlarges, you may worry that you will not be able to react quickly in a dangerous situation. y Perhaps another anxiety about assault that a pregnant woman has to deal with is the loss of control over her body. Clearly, you are not in control of your body's changes during pregnancy. Especially for the first-time mother, these dreams about assault may reflect your fears about what labor and delivery will be like. Then, too, the dreams may reflect your feelings about the little stranger that is within your body.
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Dreams During Pregnancy

Remember, having these frightening dreams is normal and should not worry you. In fact, because of the love you feel for the baby inside you, your concerns about his or her fragility, as reflected in your dreams, are not at all unusual. y Pregnant women experience a wide variety of emotions, but expectant fathers have their share of concerns as well. Go to the next page to find out about the emotional changes that can happen to fathers-to-be.
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