Emotions During Pregnancy

Often women attend their GP or Obstetrician during pregnancy and talk about the health of their baby. They may raise their concerns about morning sickness, cramps, headaches, backaches, or other physical discomforts, however few women talk about the difficulties they are facing coping with their changing, and often difficult, emotions.  It can be frustrating and exhausting to shift from one emotion to another, and be unable to explain what emotion you are feeling and why. Sometimes even feeling guilty about having particular thoughts or emotions.

For many reasons, pregnancy can alter your emotions significantly, to the point where often you feel completely out of control. While starting a family is exciting and filled with a lot of joy, as pregnancy progresses you may be concerned about the changes it will bring. You may be concerned with the future including your financial situation, housing, supports available and job security. All of that, added to the increase in hormones, can have an impact on your emotions and your brain’s ability to monitor those emotions.

Many women are also concerned about the changes to their body as they progress in their pregnancy. This may cause you to feel less physically attractive as you look in the mirror and see some of the changes in your body. You may also worry about the long term impact on your physical health which can occur following pregnancy. Any of these things can impact both mental and physical health, which adds to stress and can cause a disruption in normal emotions.

We also can’t discount the physical impact pregnancy can have on women, some more so than others. Feeling morning sickness, sometimes all day, can leave you feeling quite low. Many women also experience disruptions to their sleep even early on in the pregnancy. Lack of sleep can have a significant impact on your mental health.

If you find you are worrying about some, or all of these things, it may be helpful to book in a few counselling sessions.

You can contact me directly to book in or you may like to ask your doctor for a referral in order to claim a rebate through Medicare. Rebates are available for up to three pregnancy support counselling services per patient, per pregnancy.  If you are currently pregnant or have been pregnant in the last 12 months you may be able to access this service.