As a mother you may also wear many other ‘hats’: partner, wife, daughter, sister, friend or employee. These different roles also put additional demands on your time and emotions.
Pregnancy can make you feel stressed as different demands and hormone changes cause your mood to change more than usual.
You can improve your mood through exercise, doing things you enjoy, and talking with people who support you.
Managing emotions: what others say
Some suggestions from other new or expectant mothers to help manage emotions include:
“Going for a daily walk was a ritual I started during pregnancy. I either went by myself or with my partner, a friend, or a family member. It was a fail-proof way of relaxing that I really started to look forward to.” – More about physical activity
“I was feeling a bit snowed under with the preparations for the new addition to our family. Once I made a start getting the house organised and preparing the nursery I felt more on top of things.”
“I was one of the first of my friends to have a baby so I was worried it would change our friendships but keeping in contact with them was actually a big support and a great break from my new role as a mum.”
“It’s so easy to stop doing the things you enjoy just because you’re pregnant. Yes it does take a bit more effort but once I was out of the house I felt so much better.”
“I liked to wander down to the local park, or just sit in my back garden and read my baby bible. It was nice to get out, get a healthy amount of sun and just relax.”
“I knew life was just going to get busier so I decided to do something I always wanted to do, enrol in a Spanish language class. It was a great way to meet new people and have some time to myself – so much so that I’m still doing it now.” – More about socialising
“Pregnancy was quite stressful for me and there were times I didn’t feel as if I was coping. I soon worked out that keeping my concerns to myself just made me feel worse so I made an exerted effort to talk about my worries, however big or small, to anyone that would listen – mainly friends, my mum, sister or GP.”
Want to know more?
- If you need more help, you could see your doctor, midwife, child health nurse (if you already have a child) or a counsellor.
- For more information see professional help.
- If you feel like you need more help, call the Ngala Parenting Line on 9368 9368 or 1800 111 546 for country callers.
- Department of Health – More about emotional health during pregnancy
- If you live in Perth consider involving yourself in the Mummy Buddy research program that is being run through UWA. Buddy up with a new mum and have the benefit of her recent experience.
