Emotional Health During Pregnancy

You are not alone. There is help. You will get better.

 

Pregnancy is a time of change. It is a time to reflect on your own life and the ways in which pregnancy will change your life. You may experience a variety of feelings. Mood changes in pregnancy are also common.

Feeling stressed during pregnancy is very common. You may be experiencing many thoughts and feelings about:

  • being pregnant
  • your health
  • the health of your baby
  • your relationship with your partner, family and friends
  • body changes
  • getting ready for childbirth

Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are real illnesses that can happen at any time during pregnancy. You may have feelings of emptiness or sadness. Sometimes these unhappy feelings become so difficult that you may feel overwhelmed, or may even have difficulty accepting your pregnancy.

Signs and Symptoms

Talk with your doctor or nurse if you experience any of these signs:

  • sadness (irritable, crying more than usual, anxious or feeling uneasy)
  • not able to enjoy life
  • changes in weight and appetite (beyond what is normal for pregnancy)
  • tired even after sleeping or resting
  • difficult to concentrate or make decisions
  • thoughts of death or suicide
  • feeling not worthy, guilty or like you want to run away
  • changes in sleep (hard time falling asleep, waking up or staying asleep, unable to sleep when tired)

Steps to Feeling Better

These feelings may come and go throughout your pregnancy and may be ignored and seen as part of pregnancy changes. It is also important for family members, such as partners and caregivers to be aware of the signs of depression and ways they can help you.