Mood swings are one of the best known and least liked side effects of pregnancy. The extreme changes in emotion are caused by changes in the body’s hormonal balance, which affects the chemistry of the brain.
Most women begin experiencing mood swings around six weeks into pregnancy. The moodiness usually lasts until about 10 weeks into pregnancy and tends to disappear during the second trimester.
As the third trimester begins and the baby’s arrival draws closer, many women begin experiencing mood swings all over again. This is normal; remember that. Having a baby is an exciting but stressful time for many expectant parents.
BIDMC Obstetricians Renee Goldberg, MD, and Cindy Kobelin, MD, explain the moodiness that often accompanies pregnancy -- how moods and emotions may swing during the each trimesters, how to help keep it in check, and when moodiness may be a sign of something more serious like depression.
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