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Emotion Commotion

The Emotion Commotion
Weepy, Angry, Hungry & Happy in Five Minutes Flat

Pregnancy is all about hormones. And hormones have crazy side effects, like making you cry over sappy commercials and empty mayonnaise jars when you need a tuna sandwich (been there, done that!), not to mention crankiness, intense disgust over the man who helped you into this pregnancy, and the general feeling that you are just losing it. Take heart, ladies, this is perfectly normal in the first trimester and sometimes beyond, to tell you the truth. So buckle up. Here's how to cope...

In the first trimester, you are probably having all the signs of PMS—the bloating, mood swings, cramping, backaches—without the eventual arrival of your period. By the time, your second and third months roll by, you’ll be ripe with feelings of anxiety, fear, excitement, depression and guilt—all in the space of about seven minutes. Congratulations, you are beginning to experience the emotional roller-coaster ride of pregnancy. For most of us it starts with the scary realization that life is about to be changed permanently; this may make you happy or this may make you sad, or thanks to the pregnancy hormones, you may be both at the very same time.

To cope with these emotions, remind yourself that what you're feeling is normal. Take good care of yourself, and look to your partner and other loved ones for understanding and encouragement. If the mood changes become severe or intense, consult your health care provider for additional support.

If you think you’re confused by the sudden outbursts and impromptu wailing like a banshee, what about your family and friends. Not to mention the man in your life. Our partners may be looking forward to spending some quality time with their loving wives, only to be greeted by a tired and irritable woman in her place. Many a mocha man have emailed me in desperation to ask what has happened to their loving wife and how long will this B*** of an imposter be around?

This is why it is really important to keep an open, honest and constant dialogue with those around you, especially your partner. Our family is probably as confused or apprehensive as we are, so try to take the time and describe how you are feeling, perhaps agree to some exclusive "me time" where you do nothing but put your feet up. Make sure you get enough sleep, tiredness will only exacerbate your emotions during pregnancy. During the early stages of pregnancy, almost all women experience extreme fatigue. I fell asleep once during an eyebrow wax! Whilst your energy will probably return during the second trimester, you should try to understand your limits and how a lack of sleep can affect your emotions during pregnancy. Cranky and tired is definitely not a good look.

Other common emotions during pregnancy stem from fear. Let’s face it, regardless of your superwoman status, having a baby can be a frightening prospect. You may have a million questions running around inside your mind, such as will you be able to look after a baby? Can we cope financially? Am I ready for such major changes? And how is this baby going to get out of me? These are all typical fears and add to the emotions during pregnancy. If you find yourself

having similar doubts, try keeping a log or pregnancy journal to record exactly how you are feeling. Review what you have written and discuss this with your partner or support team.

The main thing to remember is to expect these changes in emotions during pregnancy. It is highly unusual for a woman to experience pregnancy without her emotions being affected. With the amount of chemical changes and hormone imbalances occurring inside of our body, it is no wonder we turn into temporary basket cases.

It is easy to say in hindsight, yet it is very true that the rigors of pregnancy and the inevitable emotional commotion will all be worth it. And in a way, this is probably the most rational way of dealing with the roller coaster ride of emotions. Try to focus on the precious bundle of joy, and holding your child for the very first time — that’s a real motivator! Unfortunately, to experience such a beautiful thing as having a baby, Mother Nature decided to balance it up by messing with our minds.

For more great pregnancy advice, check out The Mocha Manual to a Fabulous Pregnancy (Amistad/HarperCollins) by Kimberly Seals Allers and The Mocha Manual DVD available at Wal-mart stores and walmart.com.

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