You are 7 weeks and 3 days

Even if you're happy about having a baby, it's natural to have mixed emotions at times.

228 days until your due date

Your emotions may swing from laughing one minute to irritable, shouting, or crying the next. It can be confusing to feel tense and tearful when you think you should be happy, but this is a normal, temporary part of pregnancy.

Don't be hard on yourself, because these mood changes are mainly caused by pregnancy hormones, which you can't control. They're the same hormones behind PMS symptoms such as mood swings, crying, and irritability.

Be kind to yourself on down days and do whatever works for you, whether that's time alone or talking to others.

Focus on

Safety: Protect yourself

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that can harm a developing baby. Its symptoms can be like mononucleosis, with a fever and/or swollen glands in the neck.

It can be spread by cat feces but also by undercooked meat. So as well as avoiding the cat litter, take care in the kitchen: cook beef, pork, and lamb thoroughly, avoid cross-contamination, and wash chopping boards and utensils well in hot soapy water after preparing meat.

Explainer

Down days pass

On a down day, remember the negative feelings will pass. Mood swings are a normal part of pregnancy.

Ask a Doctor

I'm struggling with my wife's mood swings. Are they normal?

Yes. Your partner will be emotional, and all you can do is be as supportive, patient, and understanding as possible.

Changing hormones early in pregnancy can cause mood swings and unexpected reactions. Something that never bothered her, like a particular song, may make her cry, or she may snap at you over something trivial. She's probably as frustrated and confused by it as you are. Until it passes, bide your time, bite your tongue, and give her a hug.

As a matter of fact

Depression symptoms

Up to 70 percent of pregnant women have symptoms of depression at times.

One woman may hardly have any mood swings, while another may struggle for weeks, especially in the first trimester.

This is general information based on NHS guidance, not medical advice, and every pregnancy is different. Talk to your midwife or GP about anything that worries you. If your baby's movements slow down or change, or you have bleeding, severe pain or leaking fluid, call your maternity unit straight away. In an emergency, call 999.