Ms. Cheung, a working woman in the education industry, had planned to continue working during her pregnancy and enjoy the joy of giving birth to a new child. Since two months of pregnancy, she has been suffering from severe morning sickness and dizziness.
She was trapped in anxiety and insomnia like never before. Although her husband is considerate, helping to share the housework after work every day, and chatting with her before going to bed to decompress, Miss Zhang often stares at the ceiling late at night.
"Can you imagine? Every time I try to close my eyes and rest, all sorts of worries pop up in my mind: Will the radiation at work affect the baby?
Friends expressed sympathy and concern, some shared their pregnancy experiences, and some advised her to seek professional counseling. This gathering is like a mirror, reflecting the psychological difficulties faced by many pregnant mothers during pregnancy.
01. The potential harm of "bad mood" during pregnancy
Fetal development risk: Scientific studies have shown that persistent fear, anxiety and other adverse emotional states in pregnant women in the first trimester may have a negative impact on fetal development and increase the risk of birth defects such as lip aberrations.
This period is a critical stage in the formation of fetal organs, and the mental state of the mother is essential for the proper development of the embryo.
Neonatal behavioural problems: Maternal anxiety and depression during pregnancy can affect the development of the fetal nervous system, especially hypothalamic function, through the maternal endocrine system.
This effect may continue after birth, manifested as the appearance of behavioral characteristics such as restlessness, poor sleep quality, and easy crying, which brings challenges to neonatal care and affects their early psychological development.
Emotional and behavioral disorders in early childhood: Children born to pregnant women who have been in a state of anxiety and depression for a long time are more likely to have behavioral and emotional problems such as poor emotional stability, distraction, and hyperactivity when they enter early childhood at the age of 3 to 4.
Impaired maternal health: Persistent negative emotions during pregnancy are not only a threat to mental health, but may also have a direct or indirect impact on the mother's physical health.
Excessive anxiety and depression may lead to an increase in blood pressure and increase the risk of gestational hypertension, while psychological stress may lead to discomfort such as chest tightness and shortness of breath, which may increase the physiological burden during pregnancy and affect the quality of life.
Increased risk of postpartum depression: Anxiety and depression experienced during pregnancy are important risk factors for postpartum depression. After giving birth, pregnant mothers face a series of challenges such as identity change, parenting pressure, and physical recovery.
If the existing emotional distress during pregnancy is not properly managed, the probability of postpartum depression will increase significantly, which will have a long-term impact on the mother-infant relationship, family harmony and the mother's own mental health.
02. Causes of "bad mood" during pregnancy
Poor family atmosphere: Pregnant women are more emotionally sensitive and more aware of their surroundings and interpersonal relationships due to changes in hormone levels in their bodies.
Conflicts, quarrels or indifferent attitudes between family members can easily trigger negative emotions of pregnant mothers, making them feel isolated and helpless, and aggravating emotional experiences such as anxiety and depression.
Workplace pressure: Pregnant mothers in the workplace face the dual challenges of work and childbirth. They may be concerned about the impact of potential risks in the work environment on the health of the fetus.
Anxiety about the uncertainty of future career development, concerns about workplace discrimination that may result from postpartum body changes, and confusion about how to find a balance between work and childcare. These workplace-specific stressors constitute a significant source of "bad mood" during pregnancy.
Slippery slope of sleep quality: Physiological changes during pregnancy seriously affect sleep quality, resulting in frequent awakening and difficulty falling asleep at night, which in turn leads to emotional problems such as fatigue and irritability.
Long-term sleep deprivation not only affects the physical recovery of pregnant mothers, but also exacerbates their mood swings, forming a vicious circle of "bad mood".
Weak psychological endurance: In the information society, pregnant mothers are often exposed to a large amount of pregnancy health care knowledge and parenting information, many of which are contradictory and lack scientific basis.
In the face of massive information, some pregnant mothers have weak psychological endurance, are easy to fall into a state of self-doubt and excessive worry, and are overly demanding on daily diet and behavior, resulting in emotional tension and anxiety.
Individual psychological traits and past experiences: Individual differences in the mother's personality traits, resilience, ways of coping with stress, and past traumatic experiences will also affect her ability to cope with stress during pregnancy.
03. How to ensure that pregnant mothers have a good mood
Create a relaxed and loving family atmosphere: Family members, especially spouses, should fully understand the special psychological needs of pregnant mothers during pregnancy, respect and accept their emotional changes, and avoid conflicts and accusations.
Timely care, thoughtful words and actions, such as sharing household chores, spending time together, and providing emotional support, can effectively relieve stress and improve the well-being of pregnant mothers.
Ensure adequate rest and quality sleep: Encourage pregnant mothers to maintain a regular schedule and ensure adequate sleep time. For common sleep disorders during pregnancy, you can take measures such as adjusting your sleeping position, using a maternity pillow, and doing light exercises to improve sleep quality.
Carry out appropriate exercise and relaxation activities during pregnancy: pregnant mothers can choose low-intensity, healthy sports such as walking, yoga for pregnant women, swimming, etc., which can not only exercise the body, promote blood circulation, but also release tension and improve mood.
Obtain pregnancy information scientifically and avoid information overload: Pregnant mothers should choose authoritative and professional pregnancy information platforms and avoid exposure to unverified or overly sensational information, so as not to increase unnecessary psychological burden.
Seek professional psychological support: For pregnant mothers with severe emotional distress during pregnancy, it is recommended to seek help from a professional psychological counselor or psychologist. Through counseling, counselling or short-term psychotherapy, pregnant mothers can learn effective coping strategies.
Ensuring that pregnant mothers maintain a good mood during pregnancy is a systematic project, and every pregnant mother is in the process of giving birth to a physical and mental experience, which can be accompanied by joy and expectation, but also accompanied by various discomforts and challenges.
Family members, medical professionals and all members of society should play an active role in creating an environment of love and understanding, support and encouragement for pregnant mothers to help them navigate this special time.
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