Overview
Along with the food cravings, food aversions, and general aches and pains of pregnancy, you may find yourself struggling with irritability while pregnant as well. A sudden change from feeling happy and complete to feeling upset and angry can become a common occurrence. When pregnant, the hormones and general stress of adding a new baby to your life can put you on edge more often than not. Find ways to calm your irritability, and know that it is a short-term condition that will likely stop when you have your baby.
Symptoms
When you feel irritable, your relationship with your partner may be strained as you find yourself snapping at him or your children over small things. You could feel sad for no apparent reason, or anxious about the impending arrival of your child. These symptoms can make you upset and annoyed through the duration of your pregnancy.
Causes
Irritability in pregnancy has several causes. The elevation of progesterone and estrogen in your body can make you more sensitive than usual, says the American Pregnancy Association. Along with elevated hormones, you’re likely dealing with a new body image, daily aches and pains, stress and fatigue, all which can put you on edge and make you feel more irritable than usual.
Time Line
Each trimester is unique in how you feel. During the first trimester, you can be hit with morning sickness, fatigue and a rapid elevation of hormones that leave you feeling grumpy, sensitive and irritable. Through your second trimester, your hormones begin to stabilize, and morning sickness subsides, helping to boost your mood. Unfortunately, the uncomfortable nature of the third trimester can have you feeling irritable again, as you adjust to your large belly and lack of sleep, with the now frequent movements of your baby.
Treatments
You can help your irritability subside by taking the time to discuss with your partner what makes you upset and how to avoid irritability triggers. Babycenter.com suggests taking enough time to rest and get as much sleep as possible to avoid moodiness due to fatigue. Focus on the positive points about your pregnancy, and indulge in activities that relax you and help you feel less stressed.
Medical Intervention
At times, irritability during pregnancy is more than a simple reaction to stress, fatigue and hormones. Irritability paired with depression and anger that you can’t shake could be a sign of prenatal depression. The Mayo Clinic notes that pregnancy can ignite or worsen depression symptoms, so you should visit your obstetrician if your irritability is accompanied by sadness, abnormal thoughts and a general loss of interest; you may be prescribed safe antidepressants to help manage your prenatal depression.
