Emotional wellbeing

When you’re pregnant it can sometimes feel as though you have to feel happy all of the time.

You may find that people expect you to look forward to the baby and to be all excited and ‘bloom’.

It is very common to have ups and downs. Anxiety can be often caused by some of the following:

  • The hormonal changes that take place can make you feel tired, nauseous, emotional and upset, particularly in the first three months of pregnancy.
  • During the antenatal period women are offered a number of screening tests which may increase levels of anxiety.
  • Pregnancy can also cause anxieties around some of the practical things such as financial worries, work and relationships.
  • It’s common for people to have dreams about their baby and sometimes these may reflect some of their anxieties.

It’s important to look after your emotional well-being, and even more so when you are expecting a baby or have just given birth.

It’s completely normal to be feeling a range of new emotions and to look after yourself during this important time.

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Page last reviewed: 22 May, 2023