“I’m going to be a mother. My wish is going to come true in just a few months. So why do I feel sadness in pregnancy When should I be full and happy?” We would tell you that it is simple, but NO. Since the world of motherhood embraces a complex process in which you will immerse yourself in a state of great emotional sensitivity and which entails a lot of physiological stress, both physical and mental. This stress that we are talking about is largely influenced by hormones, which are so important in these 9 months.
Eat well, rest, exercise, move,… if you are pregnant, you have surely been given these recommendations on more than one occasion. Furthermore, we are the first to repeat them to you actively and passively, giving great importance to the childbirth preparation classes! But… Where is emotional care? Did you know that your mental health during pregnancy will affect the health of your baby? Is it normal to feel sadness in what is socially considered one of the happiest stages in a woman’s life? We answer these and other questions along the following lines.
The importance of emotions
You are fully aware of the physical changes of pregnancy. You know that it is a complex process that encompasses a thousand and one physiological mechanisms. However, sometimes the infinity of emotional changes derived from the biochemical variations and the segregation of hormones to which you are being subjected are left a little “on hold.” This translates into emotions and mood swings.All emotions are necessary and adaptive(as long as they do not become chronic or have a negative impact, affecting the normality of day-to-day life). And when I say all, yes, I mean ALL, including sadness and anger.
Why do I feel sadness during pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a wonderful time full of happiness, hope, excitement, fulfillment and… STRESS. The nerves and fear in pregnancy They act by causing a emotional ambivalence which is necessary to take into account.
Remember the saying that “all that glitters is not gold.” Since if there is something that characterizes the period of pregnancy on an emotional level, it is the mood swings caused by hormonal fluctuations. The changes you are experiencing in your body along with the pregnancy discomfort They can make you feel more sensitive. And of course without forgetting the psychological impact that acquires the word: MOTHERHOOD. You need to assimilate your new role. You’re going to be a MOM!
You will face these changes in a certain way depending on different risk and protective factors. Among the risk factors that may predispose you to suffering more or less sadness during pregnancy are:
- Having suffered a family and personal history of depression and/or anxiety.
- Stress in everyday life.
- Unwanted pregnancy.
- History of abortions or other types of complications in previous pregnancies.
- Lack of support. Here you can read more about how pregnancy affects the couple.
- Lacking a solid family, social and/or economic support network.
- Domestic violence.
Pay special attention to your emotional health in pregnancy if you think you have any of the risk factors mentioned above.
Sadness during pregnancy or… depression?
“Suddenly I felt extreme sadness that could only be relieved by going to bed. I didn’t have the strength to do anything and anything made me angry. In the moments when I felt a little better, remorse and guilt came over me, a lot of guilt and anxiety when I thought that in some way I could be treating my baby badly. The only thing that crossed my mind was what a bad mother I was already being even without this child being born. I had a really bad time.” – Luisa, 37 years old.Taking into account the mental health of pregnant women is essential. Especially when being aware that it is a still unprotected vital process that is not given the importance it requires.
Sadness during pregnancy is an indication of depression but… it is also one of the most frequent emotional and hormonal changes during this period. The same goes for other symptoms such as lack of energy or loss of libido. Here you can read more about sexuality in pregnancy.
Therefore, to what extent can we consider sadness during pregnancy as something normal or as something pathological?
We talk about depression during pregnancy when there is a persistent sadness along with an anxious process, apathy and lack of interest, guilt, contempt and negative thoughts recurring and even alterations in eating and/or sleeping. In more severe cases, panic attacks and even suicidal ideations can occur.
Be careful not to confuse with postpartum depression!
How does sadness during pregnancy affect the development of the baby?
Curiosity! Did you know that Sigmund Freud was one of the first to realize that mothers’ feelings influenced a baby’s emotional development?
Over the last few years, there have been various investigations in which it has been demonstrated that there is a greater predisposition in the baby to suffer anxiety if the mother has experienced a stressful pregnancy. And that makes us wonder: “What do babies feel inside the womb?”
We cannot affirm that they have feelings as such since their neurological maturation process has not yet occurred. But if They are able to sense their mother’s psychological state through the perception of sensations., the positive ones being a reinforcement for your immune system. The baby feels what his mother feels, remember that he is preparing for life through the messages that you send him.
It seems that babies who have been involved in sadness during pregnancy are more prone to cry more frequently and produce more cortisol(hormone that our body releases in stressful situations) than other babies. This has also been related to a somewhat shorter gestation period, more sensitivity to the environment and even a greater probability of presenting difficulties when facing day-to-day problems.
Furthermore, when a pregnant woman suffers from mood disorders, it may be more difficult for her to generate an emotional bond and strengthen ties with her baby. Here you can read more about the development of the fetus in the first trimester,second trimester and third quarter.
Keys to combat sadness during pregnancy
It is a shame that despite being in the 21st century, there are still erroneous beliefs about mental health. We meet many mothers-to-be who are reluctant to talk about the topic due to the stigma it still entails. That is why we invite you to take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions. Take all the time you need:“How am I on an emotional level? How do I feel? Where is my relationship with my partner? Am I feeling really supported and supported by my closest environment?” At the end of the day, everyone asks you how you feel physically, if it hurts here or there, if you have certain discomforts,… but few are interested in your emotional well-being. That’s why It is essential that you yourself learn to listen to yourself, to give room and outlet to what you think and what you feel.. If you need to cry, do it, vent, don’t hold back because crying has countless benefits. But above all, make yourself heard. Look for a “friendly shoulder”, either from your partner, family or friends with whom you can “bare your soul”.
The professional help It will always be your greatest ally. Count on someone who you know understands you without passing judgment, that shines its flashlight on you, leading you along the best path, that makes you untangle the knots of emotions with keys to manage feelings, is a balm for the mind and heart. Remember that we are on the other side to help you in everything we can, you just have to tell us.
The support of future mothers who are going through the same thing as you, the self-care Dedicating quality time to the things that previously made you happy and rest are other points to take into account to combat sadness during pregnancy.
We suggest you read our article on prenatal sensory stimulation. The simple gesture of touching your belly, stroking it, talking to it or singing to it will give your baby a positive sensory experience that will make you connect and will help strengthen your bond and make you feel happy.
When we talk about sadness during pregnancy we are not referring to depression. You can be sad without being depressed, both terms are not synonyms. Of course, we must keep in mind that sadness is temporary and does not affect all pregnant women in the same way. At SingularMom we care about you. That is why our goal is to take care of you both inside and out, both physically and psychologically. Talk later?
