It's Not Overreacting: Understanding Why Your Emotions Feel So Intense

During pregnancy, many women experience heightened emotions, reactions, or shifts in their mental state. It can feel incredibly frustrating and discouraging in the moment. However, It is essential to understand that you are not alone and there is scientific evidence that you are normal!

You Aren’t “Crazy”

When you are pregnant, you experience a drastic rise in hormone levels of progesterone and estrogen. Have you ever experienced increased stress, irritation, or sadness during your luteal phase? During pregnancy these levels can rise anywhere from 12x to 150x luteal phase levels. On top of the hormone shifts, increased stress from body changes, medical care, finances, employment, and often, insomnia, can make managing your emotions feel a lot harder than typical. 

Postpartum

Many new moms experience rage, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, OCD, or depression. Experiencing these strong emotions often comes with a sense of judgement or shame, which is common for other new mothers too, lending to the reason you may feel so alone. 

Your brain is on high alert, in survival mode, adjusting to your new role as a protector for your child. While we may not need to protect our children from bears or snakes, our brain and body, we still have the energy and hormones to detect and protect from threats. That is why “little” things such as your partner buying the wrong diapers or no clean dishes can feel overwhelming. 

Calming and Accepting

I’ll say it again, you are normal! It may be time to chat with your partner about how you feel best supported, joining a group of Moms in the same phase of life you are in, or accessing therapy to learn tools and be heard. 

Engage in self-care however you enjoy it most. A bubble bath, a massage, a pedicure, lighting a candle, you name it!

Rest when you need it. It can be hard to get the right amount of sleep during pregnancy and postpartum, so go easy on yourself and take a nap or physically resting your body somewhere comfortable. 

Regulate your nervous system through things such as polyvagal exercises, diaphragmatic breathing, 54321 techniques, showers, or singing along to a song you enjoy. 

If you feel like you need some more support, reach out. Feeling heard, understood, and supported is one of the most important things you can do for yourself at this time in your life. 

Emma McMillen, Undergraduate Intern

Emma McMillen is an Undergraduate Intern at Flourish Counseling & Wellness. She is completing her final semester at Colorado State University, where she will graduate in August with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical/Counseling Psychology.

Emma plans to pursue a Master's degree in Counseling beginning in 2027, with a long-term goal of becoming a Registered Play Therapist specializing in Child-Centered Play Therapy.