11/04/2023
PSYCHOLOGICAL /EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF PREGNANCY
Pregnancy is a major event in every woman’s life, however, it comes with some
challenges.
Pregnancy does not just cause physical changes in women but also psychological
and emotional effects. They are mainly caused by high progesterone and estrogen
that are produced to maintain the pregnancy. However, these hormones have
side effects. This causes most pregnant women to experience tiredness, irritation,
and morning sickness, especially in their first trimester. These side effects tend to
fade away in the late stages of pregnancy but for some, they go all way to the end
of the pregnancy and even after birth. In extreme cases it graduates to anxiety
and depression, about 15 to 20 percent of women go through depression or
anxiety during and after pregnancy.
The combination of changes in both body, emotions, and mind may result in
mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, most of them do not even realize
what they are going through which might lead to delayed treatment. The good
thing is both these can be treated by giving necessary and constant support to
these women. It might look or feel like a mother-to-be problem but the truth is
men or fathers- go through similar changes due to the forthcoming parenthood.
These can be very trying moments for the couple, especially for new parents.
Some other emotional changes during pregnancy are thoughts of if they will make
good mothers or being able to provide for the unborn, also fear or worries of safe
delivery. These might seem like not so much of a big deal but it builds up in most
pregnant women or even their husbands or fathers-to-be into something bigger.
However, this might depend on their ages, and social and cultural status and also
happens mostly when the pregnancy was unexpected or unplanned.
During all these changes, physical and emotional most women lose their appetite,
get intrusive thoughts, lack interest in the things they used to like, get irritated
easily, get panic attacks, and get withdrawn. During these sudden changes in their
bodies and emotions, they need an as strong support system from family and
friends and guidance to be able to cope with them and successfully go through
the pregnancy.
Understanding these psychological effects helps the couple to be able to cope
with the changes and even consider visiting a counselor and a gynecologist to be
able to talk about their pregnancy journey and experiences.
