The discovery of a new pregnancy is a life-changing event for the woman and her partner (if your partner is involved). Regardless of whether the pregnancy was very much planned, or quite a surprise, accepting that a new person will be in your life within a matter of months, will inevitably trigger a vast array of emotions.
Feeling unsure or unclear about the pregnancy (especially in the first few weeks) is very normal, with most people finding their emotions frequently changing and evolving, as the reality sinks in.
If you are in a relationship, then a new pregnancy may mean different things to both of you. These can range from being overwhelmed with immense joy and excitement, to doubting your readiness to have a baby, or perhaps adjusting to planning for a second, third (or subsequent child) coming into the family. You may both experience similar feelings about the pregnancy, or you may feel emotionally different, or just different at various times.
How you feel as an individual and how you accept your partner's feelings, can be aspects that strengthen your relationship, or perhaps things that place a strain on it. It may be that you need a period of understanding as you adjust, or are unsure how the other person feels. Finding out you are having a baby is a time of immense change. Being able to
communicate effectively with each other can often help you during this time.
The following sections explore some of the more common emotional reactions and concerns that women and partners can experience during the early weeks of the pregnancy. You can read them with your partner, or separately, or perhaps read each other's!
Emotional changes for the woman during early pregnancy