Why Do I Feel So Emotional During Pregnancy
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You cry at a commercial, snap at your partner over something small, then feel overwhelmed with joy an hour later. Some days you feel excited about the baby, and other days you feel anxious, flat, or unsure about everything. You might wonder whether this is just part of pregnancy, or whether something else is going on. You may also feel guilty for not feeling happy all the time.
Emotional ups and downs are very common in pregnancy. At the same time, pregnancy is a period when depression and anxiety can develop or return, and those deserve attention and support.
If you are having thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself or your baby, or feel unable to keep yourself safe, please call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, available anywhere in Canada at any time, or call 911.
It Could Be a Lot of Things
Hormonal changes. Rising estrogen and progesterone affect brain chemistry and can make emotions feel stronger and change more quickly, especially in the first trimester.
Tiredness and physical discomfort. Nausea, poor sleep, and aches lower your emotional reserves.
A big life change. Pregnancy brings changes to identity, relationships, work, finances, and plans. Mixed feelings are a normal response.
Past experiences. Previous pregnancy loss, infertility, or a difficult birth can bring fear and grief into a new pregnancy.
Relationship strain. Changes in roles, intimacy, and expectations can create tension or leave you feeling distant from your partner.
When It Looks More Like Perinatal Depression or Anxiety
Perinatal depression and anxiety can begin during pregnancy, not only after birth. They are common, treatable, and not a sign of weakness or of being a bad parent. Signs that emotions may be more than typical ups and downs include:
- Low mood, tearfulness, or emptiness most days for two weeks or more.
- Losing interest in things you usually enjoy, or feeling hopeless about the future.
- Constant worry about the baby, the birth, or your ability to cope.
- Panic attacks or feeling constantly on edge.
- Unwanted, distressing thoughts about harm coming to the baby, as described in Why Do I Have Scary Intrusive Thoughts About My Baby.
- Feeling disconnected from the pregnancy or unable to imagine the future.
People with a personal or family history of depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder, or who are going through major stress, are at higher risk. If you have had mood difficulties before, it helps to let your care provider know early.
What Can Help
- Talk to your care provider. Doctors and midwives routinely ask about mood in pregnancy and can connect you with support. You do not need to wait for them to ask.
- Rest when you can. Protect sleep and reduce commitments where possible.
- Share how you feel. Talking honestly with a partner, friend, or family member can ease the pressure to seem happy.
- Stay connected. Prenatal groups and peer support can reduce isolation.
- Keep gentle routines. Regular meals, movement approved by your care provider, and time outdoors support mood.
Getting Support at Pacific Maple Psych Centre
If your emotions during pregnancy feel overwhelming or persistent, therapy can help. Support during pregnancy can ease depression and anxiety, help you prepare emotionally for the birth and early parenthood, and lower the risk of difficulties continuing after the baby arrives. If medication is being considered, your doctor can discuss options that are safe in pregnancy.
Pacific Maple Psych Centre offers individual therapy for perinatal mood and anxiety, pregnancy, and the transition to parenthood, in Vancouver and virtually across British Columbia.
Book a SessionCommon Questions About Emotions in Pregnancy
Is it normal to cry a lot during pregnancy?
Yes. Hormonal changes, tiredness, and the emotional weight of a major life change make tearfulness common. If low mood is present most days for two weeks or more, talk to your care provider.
Can you get depression during pregnancy?
Yes. Depression during pregnancy, called antenatal or prenatal depression, is common. It is part of a broader group known as perinatal mood disorders and is very treatable.
Why am I so irritable during pregnancy?
Hormonal shifts, poor sleep, physical discomfort, and stress can all lower patience during pregnancy. Persistent irritability can sometimes be a sign of depression or anxiety.
Is anxiety during pregnancy common?
Yes. Worry about the baby's health, the birth, and parenthood is very common. When worry is constant, hard to control, or includes panic attacks, it may be perinatal anxiety that would benefit from support.
Is it okay to not feel excited about being pregnant?
Yes. Many people have mixed or ambivalent feelings, especially early on. This is normal and does not predict how you will feel about your baby. Ongoing emptiness or dread is worth discussing with a professional.
Can a previous pregnancy loss affect my emotions in a new pregnancy?
Yes. Anxiety, fear of another loss, and grief are common in pregnancies after loss. Some people hold back from attaching until a certain point. Support can help with these feelings.
Does depression in pregnancy mean I will have postpartum depression?
It increases the risk, but treatment during pregnancy can lower it. Getting support early is one of the best ways to protect your wellbeing after the birth.
Is therapy safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Talk therapy is safe during pregnancy and is often recommended as a first step for depression and anxiety. It can be combined with medical care as needed.
Who should I tell if I'm struggling emotionally while pregnant?
Tell your doctor or midwife, who can assess and connect you with support. Sharing with a trusted partner, friend, or family member can also help you feel less alone.
Can mood swings in pregnancy be a sign of bipolar disorder?
Most pregnancy mood swings are not bipolar disorder. However, pregnancy and the postpartum period can trigger episodes in people at risk. If you have a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, tell your care provider.