Hormones are to blame for so many things. Even when you’re not pregnant they affect your mood (particularly at certain times of the month). But when you are pregnant, quite frankly they rule the roost. Hormones are to blame for many of the delightful pregnancy symptoms. From the obvious, and understandable, loosening of joints to make room for the baby, to the less understandable or reasonable symptoms, such as more spots on your face (why, anybody?) or my current favourite which is the permanently bunged nose feeling and frequent mini nosebleeds. I know it’s all to do with blood vessels and increasing blood flow to the baby, but honestly, it’s driving me a bit bonkers!
These are of course by no means the worst of it though, as the worst thing about hormones has got to be the way that they affect your mood. The way they can turn you from a perfectly rational human being, into some kind of crazy person who flies off the handle one second, laughs hysterically the next and then starts bawling for basically no reason. All the while the tiny rational voice in your brain is aware of what is happening and how bonkers you look and sound, but is absolutely powerless to stop it.
Hormones are massively affecting me at the moment. I know I am in my 2nd trimester now and by all accounts things should be getting easier, and in many ways they are, but the hormones look likely to be my companions for at least a little longer. I have spent so much time lately feeling really down and miserable that I actually started to worry if I had ante-natal depression. I would wake up in the morning with a dark cloud over me that would be there all day.
I have been irritable, downright exhausted and crying for literally completely unknown reasons. There have been days that I have just wanted to curl up in a ball and hide from the world. A friend I saw last week even asked me if I was ok, with a genuine note of concern as she said I really hadn’t seemed like myself for a while. And I haven’t. EVen having a conversation with a friend has felt like a bit too much effort at times, and in many ways I haven’t known what to say, as I don’t want to be moaning, particularly when I don’t really have anything to moan about!
Because, why I have I been feeling like this? I literally don’t know! I am not unhappy about having another baby. Our little Monkey is being a real cutie pie, hubby is being lovely, as are friends and family. The house is a bit more untidy lately as I don’t have the energy to keep on top of it, but that’s not enough to induce this much misery. So I was starting to get concerned about it myself. Then something happened to remind me that I am just being ruled by my hormones.
I woke up this morning feeling fine. Better than fine in fact, I actually feel pretty chipper! This is particularly odd today in that today is normally a day that would have me feeling a bit low, even without the pregnancy. Because
a) Monkey woke up with a cold so is a bit cranky and not quite himself
b) My friend had to cancel our plans today for a Drs appt. Not that I would be mad or upset with her, it’s far more important than our play date at the park! But cancelled plans and a day with not much planned has, in the past, been known to make me a bit moody! Monkey is older so it’s not as bad as it used, to be, and it’s a gorgeous day so we can play in the garden, but still this would ordinarily invoke some negativity from me!
c) Hubby is out tonight. The whole night. He is going out straight from work and won’t be back till late. So no help at teatime, bedtime, anything.
In particular c combined with a, should be enough to reduce me to misery, let alone when combined with b, meaning that it is just Monkey and I for basically 24 hours! So why not today? Why after feeling so miserable for so long, does a day that on average is worse than others, actually feel much better, much happier? Oh, who knows! I can only assume the hormones are well and truly in charge!
Hopefully this happier phase will last longer than today, and who knows, maybe it will last for at least the rest of the trimester?? For a control freak like me, accepting that I am not running the show, even in my own brain, is pretty frustrating! So, much as I am happy to be pregnant and having another baby, I will very much look forward to the day when I am no longer pregnant, and that hormones only take over my brain once a month, rather than being my constant companion!
Did you feel hormonal when you were pregnant? Did it drive you completely and utterly bonkers?
My word of the week this week is Hormonal 🙂
Of course its wonderful and exciting to be pregnant but once you’ve got used to the idea then I’m not quite sure which bit is the worst, the sickiness of the first trimester, the dragging feeling you get in the middle when birth is still ages off or the aches pains and downright discomfort of the third trimester! Sorry to hear you hormones are playing up like this though – I hope the sunshine and warm weather helps to keep you feeling positive and upbeat today and on a day like the one you’ve just described, nowadays I just get my thinking cap on, make a few little local outing plans (to keep things moving and me from getting too bored and snappy!) and make the most of the fact that time really does speed past! X #WotW
I feel exactly the same about it! Its wonderful and all but man it is tiring and really no fun at times! Thank you I am feeling a lot better actually, so hope it continues and actually had a lovely day yesterday, we went to the shops and then pottered in the garden and he actually did really well considering he was feeling a bit rough! phew! xx
Oh lovely it’s to be expected! Hope this stage passes quickly xx #WotW
Thank you, hopefully onwards and upwards from here on! xx
I can totally relate to the hormones thing. I find I’m at my worst around 5pm, when I’m knackered and, as a result of the raging hormones and the tiredness, I’m not particularly jolly company to be around! And woe betide the husband if he dare suggest I may be over-reacting to something! Thank you for linking up to the #BlogBumpClub – hope to see you again next week! xx
Honestly, about 5pm is my worst time too, i am a nightmare, and hubs doesn’t get in till after 6 so it is not the most fun time for Monkey and I! The joy of hormones eh? thanks for hosting, fab linky and I am sure i will be back! I seem to have a lot to say about pregnancy and babies these days! xx
Oh no, so sorry to hear how much you’ve been struggling, Caroline. I don’t recall being too bad with hormones with my two, though I would cry at random things like a TV advert! I really hope that this is the turning point and that a happy phase is now kicking in. Hope you’re still OK today and that Monkey is feeling a little brighter, too x Thanks for sharing with #WotW
Thanks Jocelyn, I’ve been trying to ignore it and I’ve not wanted to admit how low I’ve been feeling. But now I seem to be feeling a bit more positive it is easier to talk about it, if that makes sense! I really hope the happier mood continues! Monkey is still a bit rough bless him but he’s coping pretty well bless him! Thanks for hosting! xx
Sorry you’re feeling like this 🙁 my hormones were all over the place during my twin pregnancy. Hope you have a good weekend x #WotW
Thank you, it’s bonkers how up and down they can make you feel isn’t it? Hopefully happier times are ahead!! xx
Oh lovely, it’s tough I know, I wasn’t terrible on the whole thankfully, but had periods of crazy hormones for each pregnancy! Hope yours settle down a bit soon x #WotW
Thanks Sara, I hope they do too, though I am glad i am in a more positive zone for the moment!! xx
Oh I remember those days well. I too like to be in control and found this aspect especially hard because there was no reason to most of it really! I’m glad you woke up feeling better this morning and I hope it has lasted for the whole of today and lasts for a good while yet 🙂
Phew, well I’m glad it’s not just me, I am not a big fan of the irrational nature of it! Thankfully I have felt better all weekend, today has been a bit of a funny day but hoping it’s just a blip! x
Sorry you are feeling like this….I was horrible when I was pregnant with both my pregnancies….I was such a moody cow…lol
Hope the weekend is better for you x
Lol, and bless you! Glad it’s not just me though I do hate the moodiness in myself! Was a much better weekend thanks so hoping it continues! x
Oh goodness me I was a wreck while pregnant and now I have a short fuse and WEEP at EVERYTHING. You have my every sympathy. I find chocolate helps 😀 x
Oh bless you, that’s the problem isn’t it? Doesn’t just end with the pregnancy! Hope you are ok, chocolate definitely helps!! xx
I’m going to go with a big YES! it’s amazing the things that can make me quite irrationally grumpy, especially if I’m also tired – ah well, at least we know it isn’t a permanent part of our personalities!
I’m so glad it’s not just me! The irrationality is the worst!! Like you say though, thank goodness it’s not permanent! xx
When I was pregnant I am always pushing the people around me to go away. So much so that few friends sadly didnt go back when I gave birth =( Hormones are so… evil in my case. #wotw
ah that’s a shame but I guess if they couldn’t give you the benefit of the doubt or cut you some slack when you’re pregnant then maybe they weren’t really your friends anyway? Shame though, hormones have a lot to answer for! xx
Oh I somehow missed your news – so CONGRATULATIONS!!! I remember those crazed hormonal days lol
I’m just dropping by to say that I lOVE Monkey’s new hat – and a I nominated you for a Liebster Award – more about that here: http://www.supermommyclub.com/getting-to-know-you/
Thanks Clare, the hormones are rubbish aren’t they!? OOh that’s exciting, thank you! I will have a good read!! 🙂 xx
I was exactly the same, so I feel your pain. Hope you feel better soon x
Ah it’s awful isn’t it. Thank you I am doing a bit better. Hope you’re ok xxx
Oh hormones really do suck, especially during pregnancy. For me, I find it worse when people dismiss what I’m feeling as ‘only hormones’!! I hope you have a better week this week
x x
Oh I know exactly what you mean! Even if rationally you know they are right, in that moment, it feels like they are completely dismissing whatever is bothering you – and that is NOT wise when hormones are running the show!! Thank you, so far so much better thankfully! xx
Ahh the joys of hormones! I always fail to recognise how truly sadistic they can be. This is my third pregnancy and I have suffered with tension headaches, weird ear stuff, nausea which has come, gone and then returned again. Strangely, I’ve been a bit cheerier this pregnancy than my last but that’s possibly because I know it IS my last and also last year was so rubbish in one way and another I’m glad to have something nice to look forward to. But I did have a very strange bout of hormones on our 2 week holiday to Tenerife. I literally couldn’t get in the holiday groove and was pleased to come home. Got to blame the hormones. Otherwise, I’m just weird, right? You have my full empathy. It’s up and down, isn’t it! Every day’s different #blogbumpclub
Aren’t they just joyful eh? Weird that they made you not enjoy your holiday! Glad that otherise you are feeling happier though, mine are still VERY much up and down!! xx
Congratulations! I am new to your blog through #BlogBumpClub Hormones have much to answer for x I found IVF much worse than pregnancy for them for me x This time my emotions are all over the place which is mostly grief but also hormones x A true roller coaster ride x
Thank you! Aww gosh I can’t begin to imagine how much harder it must be for you at the moment, hormones are bad enough let alone combined with grief. I hope all goes well for you! xx
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