Irritability?

I know you've already gotten plenty of advice, but had to add my own. I'm also pregnant with my second and also irritable this time around. Was never at all with the first. Same way, itgot better for awhile on its own. For me, stress is a huge factor. Only thing, I don't realize I'm stressed until I'm biting someone's head off. I've been focusing only on the things that are most important, and leaving the rest. I don't even think about anything or anyone that might bother me. That way, if I'm not thinking about it/them, I won't be stressed when it doesn't work out the way I think it should and then I'm not irritated. When I start feeling irritated anyway, I just walk away from the situation and let it be, whatever it is.

I'm right there with you! This is my third pregnancy and I wasn't this way with the first two. It was worse in the first trimester, although it still comes and goes. I haven't found a good way to deal with it yet. Just know you're not alone!

I would bet you have a calcium and magnesium deficiency.

Heres what you can do, all of these actions should help you feel better:

increase your water intake
Use 1000mg dimagnesium malate. take at breakfast or lunch
use B complex at breakfast or lunch
use 1400 Mg calcium citrate at dinner.

Calcium and magnesium need eachother, but should not be taken at the same time, plus calcium can help with sleep. That is why to take that in the evening.

Blessings,
Gail

HI T.,

Go to your nearest Co-Dependency support group and discover what feelings that you have hidden down deep inside of you.

A need is not being met. What is it.

Hope this helps. D.

NOt sure if this was already mentioned but I just read a really great book called "Parenting is your highest calling". With our first child I didn't really feel irritable all the time, but once we had two, well, this book really applied. it's a quick easy read and I got it from our library through an inter-library loan. So worth the read.

Hi hon!
Someone here said that they "wouldn't recommend any prescription drugs during pregnancy"...well, if they are needed and your DOCTOR (not some pharmaceutical rep) thinks you need them, then there is no stigma and people who work in the medicinal field should know better than to try to dissuade someone from taking some (potentially) much needed medication!! (grrrr)

There. The above is a perfect example as to why you are not alone. I am 31 weeks pregnant and everything/one is ticking me off these days! LOL
((hugs))

I would also have your thyroid checked. Mine was out of whack during pregnancy and WOW----- HOW different I felt once it was finally in check. They just give you thyroid replacement. Better for baby too if it is normal.

I hear 10% of women have low thyroid during pregnancy so worth a quick blood test to check, Keep us posted.

Hi T.,
I'm sorry you are going through this.

I would talk to your OB/GYN ASAP. Hormones do bizarre things to us when we are pregnant. It might be a good idea to get on some sort of anti-anxiety medication. There are many to choose from that are perfectly safe for your unborn child and they will help take the edge off during this stressful time.

Hang in there!

I was the same way with my third. When I was pregnant with my two sons I was so happy and energetic. With my daughter(third baby) I was we joked evil. I was told it was hormones etc. Here I went to my doctors n my blood pressure was high. It stayed that for the last 12 wks of my pregnancy and went back to normal soon after I had her. I never had a problem with bp before n haven't since.I'd suggest at your next appointment see if your bp has gone up and tell your doc that you've been having this going on. Good luck.

I always heard old people saying "I can feel my blood boiling" or "that makes my blood boil" . During pregnancy I could feel my blood heating up, it was so strange. I would light up my poor husband. God helped him when he made home made beef jerky. That stuff lit me up but I was too busy throwing up to scream at him.

I had to learn to exhale and give myself a time out. Learn the feelings that precede a blow up and then find a way to calm down. Sometimes I had to take a shower, go walk, etc. At the end of the day you are in control of your emotions not the other way around. Talk to the people who care about you and talk to them about not making your temper worse. I had to get my husband to clear all "smells" through me first to help me not flip.

You are not crazy with your emotions you are normal. Someone metioned this could lead to post partem depression. I was pissed, not depressed and once I had my kids I was fine.

Take Care and keep all emotions under control. I had a woman once tell me to keep myself calm and I would have a calm child. I don't know if it's true or not, but I had two easy kids for the most part. My girlfriend who gets worked up a lot has towo spun up kids.

Good luck!

Talk to your OB and see what he/she thinks. I had the same thing with my second (mine are all girls, so I don't think it's just a girl thing) and ended up taking a mild anti-depressant/anti-anxiety med, which helped a lot. Most people have now heard about post-partum depression, but many women also experience similar feelings during pregnancy due to the hormones. Hope you feel better soon!

I had the same issues with my second pregnancy - first one boy, second girl. I blame the hormones. It is really hard and I think my husband was about ready to move out, but it will pass! I spoke to my dr. about it and she said that it's always harder the second time since you can't rest and since you are chasing a little one around already your brain never gets a minutes rest.

Hang in there!

You've received very good advice about taking supplements. I wish to add that you MUST DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH because doctors DO NOT study nuitrician. They know zip about vitamins. It does make all the difference in the world in how you feel. The B vitamins particularly have to do with the nervous system. Just thought I'd throw that in.

I just saw your "So What Happened", anyway I was like this whenI was pregnant so much that as of now we have stopped at one child. There were days I begged my husband to leave me. I just couldn't even stand the site of him or almost anyone else. I went to work and came home for about the first six months then it seemed to get better. I don't think I really talked to anyone on the phone either because I just couldn't be nice to anyone. Anyway I just wanted to say I have been there and I know how you feel.

Talk to your doctor about your blood sugar levels. Highs and lows can create mood extremes. Gestational Diabetes usually starts to kick in around 26 weeks. You may need to just follow a diet plan with some light exercise (a couple of walks throughout the day). If that doesn't work, you may need insulin. Kudos to you for recognizing that your behavior has changed. Your doctor can help. Good luck to you.

Hi T.,
So glad you are going to talk to your doctor and I whole-heartedly echo that you are completely normal. I just wanted to share the one thing that helped me the most during my pregnancy - exercise. Nothing major, just walking (or waddling) for 1/2 hour every day. It helped with my mood and even serious back pain. My dr said that I needed the endorphins from the exercise. I also took a prenatal yoga class once a week that was very therapeutic physically and emotionally. I know it may not be easy to fit it in with a 3YO, but if you can it might be terribly helpful. It's probably a good idea to double check with your dr on this, too. Hang in there!
S.

You might want to get your fasting blood sugar levels checked. I know high blood sugars make me very irritable.

Hi T.,

You are not alone! I experienced it, in some form or fashion, with all three of my pregnancies! It's definitely the hormones that surge at certain times during your pregnancy. I don't know that I would recommend any prescription drugs (and I used to sell an anti-dep) during pregnancy, but be aware after your pregnancy! Just ask for extra grace during this time!! This too shall pass . . . ;)

Has your environment changed since you had your last pregnancy? You could just be overwhelmed w/ a 3 yo and all. I am an irritable person naturally, but I haven't been w/ either of my pregnancies. I'm 14 wks along, and so far so good. I easily get irritated w/ people, but I don't show it, I just vent it to my husband when someone has annoyed me(which is often!). I've never had any of the strange mood swings or 3 a.m. cravings either, I sometimes just think that those are just excuses for us to be controlling and get away w/ it cause we're prego. Just realize that you're the one in control here and and even though our hormones may going up & down, ultimately, we are the ones who control our behavior. Talk to your husband about how you're feeling, but try not to snap at him. I have a very loving and nurturing husband and no matter how annoyed I may be at him for something, I just can't show it to him cause He's always so respectful to me. I can however, talk to him about anything at anytime, and that helps alot! So ask him to let you know when you're acting out cause there are times we just don't realize if our words came out in the wrong tone or whatever. Good luck and congrats on your pregnancy!

Uh, yeah, all the time. It started in pregnancy and hasn't stopped. I have a 3.5yo & a 2.25 yo. In addition to a multi-vitamin w/ lots of vit. B, my dr. recommended a calcium supplement. That combined w/ regular cardio, does help a lot.

T., I'm not even pregnant and I feel like this!! Its tired, overhwhelming, hormonal changes that we as women must endure in our crazy busy lives where we handle SO MUCH, being a pregnant woman with a child already home, I can only imagine...plus you stay home - I work full time and I can seriously say that staying home IS NOT EASY. Yes, mention it to your doctor b/c you want to be open and honest about all feelings, just in case it is something more serious BUT in the mean time you have to find a balance. Easier said than done, I know. Its good that you are aware of the situation, now talk to everyone in your life and find a way to balance your life so you don't feel this way. I am not even pregnant and I swear at the end of the day the minute my husband walks in the door (he gets home later than me everynight) and I am super irritated! I'm on the pill and I can honestly say I don't always take it as regularly as I should, so I attribute it to hormones on top of everything else too. A friend of mine, when nursing felt the same as I did...lots of hormones. Hang in there and good luck! CONGRATS TOO! : )

How well I remember feeling like that. I had not only had it with both of my pregnancies but it seemed to have been a problem to some degree even sincce I was a child.

Get your thyroid checked pronto! And be sure you get the antibody tests too. My thyroid tests always came back " within normal limits". Well after suffering terribly for 22 years I finally got on the right track. Don't give up on this- you are a prime candidate for mis-diagnosis, or better yet- no diagnosis. You are a woman of childbearing age which also means that you are stressed out,over tired,posssibly perimenopausal,have low iron,low self esteem and a partridge in a pear tree. Please get help and know that I am thinking of you everyday.
Good Luck

Please, please, please talk to your OB about this. And make sure your support system (spouse, parents, friends) knows what to look for for post-partum (which can start before the baby comes) depression. Some women are more sensitive to the hormonal changes of pregnancy, and it sounds like your body may be sending out warning signals. Make sure you have a good, educated support system in place in case you need it.

I had life-threatening PPD and looking back, it started during the pregnancy with anxiety and irritation. Everyone is different, but just make sure you've got a net to catch you if you need it.

Hi T.. When I was pregnant I feel I was much more easily irriated and angry. I always joked that since I was carrying boys I thought it was the increase in testerone in my system :) who knows. All I can say is I was ready for a fight almost all the time. I know it sounds crazy but it is true. When I was driving heaven forbid someone cut me off - I was a big pregnant woman with road rage :) These feelings were a little less with my second than my first but of course it went away after 40 weeks :) I know that may not be much help but just really try to pamper yourself as much as possible and relax other than that I hope things go well for you.

Keep a food journal! Seems so easy but honestly such a great tool. I can always point to a trigger food when I find myself getting irritated. Or lack of protein. Either way, for me, it's food related. Now that I eat really clean I can really notice it, which is good and bad. Keeps me from eating junk! LOL!

Congrats on your pregnancy!
M.

Hi T., Aren't hormones a wonderful thing? LOL every pregancy is completely different in so many ways. I was a real pain with my first one, happy with my second and just plain tired with my third. Don't beat yourself up... there really are some things you just can't control. Just be honest with the people around you...most will understand that you really have no control over your irritability. Remember to appoligize sincerely whenever you are wrong...and some nice flowers for your "victims" after the birth may be nice too! Hang in there! Best wishes