Low moods in first trimester

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Just wondering if anyone else has struggled with this? I'm 11 weeks with DC2 and have been struggling on and off for the last couple of weeks with low mood, feeling a tight anxious feeling in my chest, feeling breathless as well as the normal tiredness and a little bit of sickness.

I've never struggled with low mood or anything similar before. I'm finding it hard to know what to do. My DH is trying to be supportive but he struggles with low moods himself and usually I'm the one supporting him so I think this is hard for him. Also I'm not very good at articulating my feelings so finding it really hard to explain to him or to tell him how he can help me.

Anyone else struggled with this? How long did it last?

Hey, sorry your feeling down. Yes I did have low mood in first trimester but I also was really sick, tired etc which didn't help. I do have episodic depression and didnt feel it was to that point but more like a PMT type irritable sadness that just seem to peak and trough throughout. I felt 'myself' by 16 weeks ish, I didnt feel low that whole time but definately up and down! Wonderful second trimester, just into third and its starting to come back but I had been warned that it would by my sister who has just had her baby - crying at chicken the other night!

Speak to your midwife though if it persists, effects your ability to do day to day things or upsets/distresses you - I've been really open with mine and shes been great with advising whats normal and whats not.

Best of luck

Yes I had this. I really hated myself for being 'lazy' when in reality I was too tired to function. I cried a lot about the future and thought I was ruining our lives by having a baby even! I was seriously low!
I felt much better around 12 weeks though. After the scan and I got my energy back (starting taking Floradix which was a huge help) and now feel totally myself again.

Im sorry you are going through this. It's not easy to deal with but it will get easier and sooner than you think. Definitely talk to your midwife x

I'm normally a very positive person, but during my first trimester I really struggled with my mood; I was constantly on edge, always on the verge of tears if not actually crying, and I just felt so low.

Yes I'd had a couple of bleeding and cramping scares (now at full term and waiting for baby to arrive!), but even those fears and anxieties aside, I wasn't myself. What I can say is that this phase will pass; you're going through huge hormonal changes and it's scary and weird, even when the pregnancy is planned and very much wanted. Add morning sickness, fainting, tiredness, your partner who with the best will in the world can never fully understand what you're going for through, and everything else that comes with early pregnancy it's enough to send anyone over the edge!

Give yourself a break, try to get as much sleep as you can and eat as best as you can and you'll pull through to the other side. If you're still feeling low or it's getting worse, have a chat with your midwife, they're there to help and they won't judge. Hope you feel better soon xx

Thank you for the the lovely replies and for sharing your experiences, it's really good to hear that other people have been through similar situations.

I think it has just been a bit of a shock as didn't experience this with my first pregnancy at all. Hopefully breakthrough isn't too far away and I'll start to feel more normal soon. The hardest thing is feeling like I'm not able to be a good mum to my little boy, I just want to be alone and in bed. i need to make a midwife appointment anyway so will try and talk to her soon as well

You WILL be a good mum. Don't you worry about that!! Your body is going through one of the most stressful things at the mo so please please be good to yourself. If you need to sleep then do it. If you need to be by yourself then do it. Be your own best friend and have patience with yourself xx

I'm 9+5 and I said to my husband yesterday "Did I actually have a personality before I got pregnant? Because I literally can't remember it." I haven't been myself in weeks, I'm totally flat. Exhaustion and nausea aren't a great combo for making you a cheery, bubbly person!

I think it's normal but if it's an issue definitely see your GP for some advice. Hope things pick up for you OP.

ethel I already have a 10mo DS so being alone and sleeping is quite tricky. Although I'm so grateful he's young enough to still be having 2 hours naps so I can too!

peach yes! Once upon a time I used to be fun and attractive - but I'm not sure what happened to that person. Hopefully she'll be back one day!

I am 11 weeks and am all of the above. I am just awful to myself when I am too tired/sick to go to the gym, or when I can't do what I have been able to do previously. I have cried a lot about ruining our lives (similar to another poster), and struggle having positive thoughts at all about the pregnancy and beyond. I think it's totally normal. Hope you feel better soon.

Im really glad that we have this forum to share these thoughts and know its all normal, sometimes its so easy to not say anything and pretend everything is rosy when that absolutely isnt the case being preggers!

allthecheese but you are growing an actual human! That's bloody hard! You should go easy on yourself

SIB I agree. I think the first trimester is particularly lonely and difficult. The changing hormones and tiredness and nausea is bad enough. Not being able to stick to your routine is difficult. Not being able to or even wanting to do the things you might normally do to make yourself feel better () and then on top of it trying to keep the whole thing a secret which means you have to act 'normal' in front of anyone in case they suspect anything when all you want to do is hide in a dark room and cry is NOT easy. We are bloody champions that's what we are!

ethel it's difficult when the time when you're trying to keep your pregnancy a secret is the time you feel worst and could do with some sympathy and people cutting you some slack.

Thanks for all the comments, good to know I'm not alone. cheese hope you start to feel better soon.x