Preggers peeps are at times...emotional. It's possible that those with a bun in the oven are simply feeling for two. These emotions aren't always negative. Pregnant women often enjoy a heightened sexual drive, a healthy appetite and a yearn to clean and organize everything in sight, also known as nesting.
Now let's visit the dark side. Unsavory emotions to watch out for in a lady with a baby up in there? Anger, fear, guilt, anxiety, depression, annoyance, impatience, hopelessness, sadness, jealousy...and let's just stop there even though there might be a few more. Pregnant women are on edge and don't have time or energy to protect other people's feelings. These negative emotions may cause mamas to feel a strong urge to tell the whole truth, not mince words or beat around the bush. Sometimes an occupied uterus brings out brutal honesty in women, for better or worse.
In short, pregnancy is wonderful; pregnancy is rough. It's not always a walk in the park and those encountering a pregnant woman in the park may want to just avoid eye contact. Why? All of the aforementioned stuff can work together against an expectant mother and cause her to be well, a bit catty. Here are 15 reasons why.
15 Dreaming Of Pre-pregnancy Bliss
Pregnancy is a rollercoaster of highs and lows, thrills and spills. The most difficult thing about it? During the low points there's no escape, and it lasts for up to nine freaking months. That is a long time to suffer anything.
Pregnant women may experience symptoms that cause them to long for the before time. Some examples are nausea, vomiting, exhaustion, leg cramps, back aches, swelling, heartburn, crazy-ass dreams, aversions to certain smells, lack of sleep, being karate chopped in the ribs from the inside, frequent urination and just an overall feeling of discomfort.
It's great for prego ladies to have a place to put their bowl of cereal, but some of the other stuff is rough! We don't blame them for lusting after days-gone-by when they were able to bend down to tie their own shoes, or could see their shoes for that matter. Expectant moms are missing the days they had their bodies all to themselves, and this might make them a bit snappy.
14 Diminishing Options
Pregnant women slowly lose the ability to wear most everything they own. Favorite jeans and cashmere sweaters must sit alone in the darkness of the closet. Heels, and even stylish flats, become off-limits to many women expereiencing swollen feet during the second half of pregnancy. They may be forced into slippers or flip flops despite their fashionista pasts.
Soon, the only appealing item of clothing for those dressing an ever-growing belly is sweatpants. Moms-to-be may opt for no pants whenever possible, but sometimes mama needs a Cinnabon, so trekking out into the public arena is a necessity, as is some sort of material covering up the bottom half.
Ladies in the throes of pregnancy who work in places where there is some sort of dress code are basically screwed. Maternity clothing companies try to make cute business attire, but it's just silly to expect a gal carrying another human life to don a blazer, or, worse yet, khaki pants. Just the thought gives pregnant ladies the world over a case of the shivers.
Dressing like a homeless person may be a matter of survival for many expectant mothers, especially during the last few months before baby arrives. Looking like crap makes some women a little bad-tempered, especially when encountering a size two b*** wearing a tight leather skirt and sky-high Jimmy Choos.
13 Getting Uncomfortable
Living life in a constant state of discomfort is another reason pregnant lassies may be a little less than chipper. The previously discussed aches and pains of pregnancy often interfere with everyday life.
Women whose place of work requires them to spend all day on their feet often experience swelling of extremities and back pain. If working in a seated position, mamacitas-to-be may deal with loss of feeling in various parts of their bodies while also facing the impossible task of finding a comfortable position to sit in. Those who are free from the responsibilities of employment may find it's even difficult to get relief while attempting to lie on the couch for an OITNB marathon.
Factor in a near-constant barrage of punches to the gut from tiny baby fists and a better relationship with the toilet than almost anything or anyone, and it may become clear why a pregnant lady near you isn't spouting "The Hills are Alive", but is, instead, flipping you off.
12 This Is Terrifying
The daunting possibility of accidentally breaking something can be paralyzingly. This terror is magnetized by about a billion when a lady knows that it's her responsibility not to break her baby.
Trepidations begin long before baby makes it's grand entrance into the world. Women are freaked out that they will eat the wrong thing, bump the wrong part or bruise the wrong section. There's also the worry they'll breath in the wrong chemical or toxin, causing irreparable damage. Let's not even get into the latest and greatest new story scaring the sh** out of every lady carrying a baby: Zika virus.
Medical professionals inform pregnant women to never lie on their back after the first trimester. Women may startle awake in the middle of the night inadvertently on their back and spend the rest of the wee hours they should be resting doing kick counts and praying. This constant state of dread, pared with lack of sleep is bound to make any human an little snarky.
11 B****es Be Fake
This is obviously a statement reserved for a select few. Most best friends and mother-in-laws are the epitome of wisdom and truth, but every once in a while, a pregnant damsel feeling distress will be given a compliment that is just plain rubbish.
Being patronized is never fun. When running into an old high school acquaintance at the store while wearing pajamas and feeling the size of a schoolbus, it is down-right infuriating to hear "You look amazing! You're sooooo tiny! I want to get pregnant now. It's just so cute!" This can be especially aggravating when the words are spoken with a fake smile and followed by a once-over and an obvious grimace. Actions always speak louder than words. This sort-of-friend is most likely taking pleasure in a fellow dame's pregnant pain. Just look at that smirk. It's as fake as Cheez Whiz.
Those heavy with child don't mind compliments, unless they are so obviously not true that it's awkward to respond with anything other than "Shut-the-hell-up you lying spawn of Satan". Get where we're going with this one? Getting lied to can make a lady a little vicious.
10 Inappropriate Questions
No one believes pregnant women when they claim to have family, friends and even random strangers ask them the most inappopriate of all questions, but, once knocked-up, they will attest to the insanity. Some shocking questions people actually ask expecting mothers?
Sure there's only one baby in there? Pretty sure
Lactating yet? Um, ew. Can we stop talking about my boobs now?
How are things with the baby daddy? Personal.
On purpose or accidental? Not going to talk about my sex life with you, thank you very much.
When are you going to have another? Let's get this one out and about and then I'll still never answer this question because IT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS!
Get the idea? Pregnant women get catty when people are stupid and think if a lady has baby in her tummy means they have a right to grill her like a crime suspect. Lay off, people!
9 Did I Forget Something?
Pregnancy brain is said to be all in a woman's head and not a real thing. Anyone who has ever experienced pregnancy will heartily argue against this notion. Having a living person inside of your body is intense to say the least. It is often distracting and is impossible to forget about. Women may spend a lot of time thinking about pregnancy stuff:
Janet wants to throw me a baby shower, but Susey already offered and they hate each other.
My feet hurt.
I want a taco.
Aaaaah I'm just so hungry and so tired and ow, baby, stop kicking my kidney.
Should I buy more onesies? Use cloth diapers? Vaccinate? Circumcise? Offer a pacifier?
I need to pee.
Oops. I forgot to stop at that red light.
Pregnancy brain may not be real, but it's really hard to focus on anything else while focusing on growing a baby. This can often cause pregnant women to forget things. Sometimes important things. This is annoying and can, in turn, cause the cranky to come out.
8 Hormones Are A-Ragin'
Hormones are real and during pregnancy they come out of the woodwork, often turning pregnant people into pieces of work. The uterus produces a variety of different hormones. These bad boys are roaming free in a pregnant body and can often induce some unfun results.
Progesterone is responsible for keeping the uterus relaxed and tells a lady's immune system not to attack the foreign object living inside of her. This is good because it helps prevent early labor and keep baby safe. The down side of progesterone is it lowers blood pressure which can cause dizziness and sometimes fainting. This hormone is also the culprit causing all gastrointestinal issues: nausea, voimiting, heartburn and gas. To summarize: all the stuff that make expecting moms feel like dying.
Estrogen is around to help baby grow and develop properly. This hormone is also responsible for an increase in appetite. Craving a bucket of extra crispy chicken and ten buttered biscuits? Blame estrogen.
Prolactin is the reason women are often exhausted during pregnancy. It is a natural tranquilizer that increases 10 to 20 times while baby is on board. It helps in milk production and helps prepare the body for breastfeeding. It also sometimes turns pregnant women into the living dead.
Relaxin is responsible for loosening up ligaments in the shoulders, hips, knees and ankles in order to prepare the body for giving birth. This often causes discomfort in the form of swelling, aches, pains and even an increase in clumsiness.
Pregnant person you know being a bit catty? Blame it on the hormones.
7 So Tired
There is a reason women may feel like they want to make like Sleeping Beauty and zonk out for 100 years during pregnancy. One culprit is the hormone prolactin; it increases up to 20 times during pregnancy and induces exhaustion.
Ladies also often struggle with not being able to get the rest they need. As baby gets bigger, some women find it nearly impossible to get into a comfortable sleeping position. Special pillows or sleeping in recliners may help some, but many just can't get cozy, causing a major case of sleep deprivation. Those who do manage to drift off are often jolted awake by baby's kicks throughout the night. If baby takes a break, Braxton Hicks contractions may have women up at all hours wishing for sweet relief.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that subjects limited to 4.5 hours or less of sleep per night for an entire week reported feeling an increase of stress, anger and sadness. When the test subject returned to a normal amount of sleep, their moods subsequently improved. Know a pregnant lady about to snap? She might just need a long nap.
6 Depression Session
A pregnant woman's cattiness may be caused by more than just feeling a little down. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has reported that between 14 and 23 percent of women will deal with depression during pregnancy.
This condition, known as antepartum depression, is a serious mood disorder that may involve changes to the brain's chemistry due to hormones. Many women suffering are not diagnosed. Doctors, family and friends may think a pregnant girl is just a little down and not realize how grave the situation may be.
Symptoms of antepartum depression include changes in eating habits, a feeling of hopelessness or guilt, loss of interest in activities usually enjoyed and thoughts of suicide. There is help for women with this condition in the form of support groups, therapy or certain medications. Depression may also be treated with acupuncture, exercise or a change in nutrition. The sooner help is found, the better the chances of overcoming the depression.
5
Baby's arrival is looming. It lurks nearer and nearer every day. The thought of being a mom is scary enough, but many women can't even worry about that part yet as they grapple with the terror surrounding their baby's delivery. Much of this fear stems from the unknown. There is so much that can happen, so many things that could potentially go wrong, that those with a propensity to worry might be in full-on panic mode as delivery grows nearer.
This lack of control and potential for pain and suffering can make a girl a bit petulant, slightly peevish and understandably so.
Those dealing with feelings of anxiousness should talk to their health care provider, as pregnancy anxiety is a very real thing that can be treated in a variety of different ways. It may help a woman to talk through her birth plan with those planning to assist in delivery and have course of action in place for various scenarios. This may help in calming her fears and also possibly decreasing her propensity for catty behavior.
4 The Green-eyed Monster
It's a fact that the un-pregnant women of the world outnumber those who are great with child. What does this mean? Pregnant women, no matter how overjoyed they are about their impending arrival, can't help but feel a wee bit jealous of those not currently suffering through the seemingly interminable afflictions that come along with the bump.
They see svelte, smiling girls in skinny jeans sipping margaritas on Cinco de Mayo and joggers who can actually jog; women without huge dark bags under their eyes and ladies who manage to walk without waddling. Sitting in a movie theater and watching a fellow patron down an extra large Diet Coke, without going to the bathroom even ONCE, can be infuriating for a prego lady who just missed Ryan Gossling taking his shirt off during her third trip to the bathroom.
To summarize? Pregnant ladies may be a little jealous of anyone who isn't carrying a baby. This envy might extend to children and men right along with women. Someone you know pregnant and persnickety? Chances are they may be coveting those who aren't in the same state.
3 Does This Make Me Look Fat?
Pregnant moms grow right along with the baby inside of them whether they like it or not. The current recommendation for weight gain during pregnancy is 25 to 35 pounds. The first trimester should add between 1 to 5 pounds with 1 pound per week thereafter.
It's not fun to get bigger when the society we live in celebrates skinniness to an extreme. We are bombarded by skeletal examples of beauty on television, in magazines, on billboards and online. Eating for two isn't all bad. A healthy appetite can be a great excuse to send lover-boy out in the rain at 3:00 a.m. for potstickers and orange chicken.
Despite women knowing they won't be pregnant forever and their belly will decrease in size once baby is out, it's hard to watch their bodies change. Many wonder if they will ever be the same again and don't want to think about how annoying losing the baby weight is going to be. This might make them mean, and hangry, so don't judge and always offer them the last slice of pizza.
2 Unsavory Side-Effects
One of the things no one likes to talk about is how absolutely gross pregnancy can be. Many women lose control over bodily functions and release gasses with unsavory smells at the absolute worst moments. It is often completely beyond their control. Awkward.
Pregnant ladies may feel overjoyed and elated one minute, then freaked out and overwhelmed the next. They sweat, they pee a little when they sneeze, they burp, they squelch, they break out, they contract; pregnant women are suffering side effects that make them feel like a seventh grade boy.
It's perfectly understandable that feeling disgusting causes some ladies to be a bit snippy and snappy. Don't take it personally. Hand them a tissue and a chicken leg, pat them on the cheek and get out of the damn way.
1 Everyone's Annoying
It has been established that sometimes being pregnant is less than desireable, even if the expectant mother is pleased as punch about her imminent arrival. It doesn't help to tell her it will be over soon, or that she's glowing or even that you know how she feels.
Sometimes pregnant people find everyone annoying because...their hormones are all out of whack, their feet are throbbing, their head is spinning, a sharp little elbow is protruding out of their abdomen and they want that third bowl of ice cream.
The arrival of their baby still seems forever away, whether their due date is in 8 months or 8 minutes. They can't wait for baby to arrive, but they sort of wish baby would just stay in there forever because delivery is a whole other scary scenario. In conclusion, we don't really blame expectant moms for their catty behavior. Know a pregnant woman who is being kind of a jerk lately? Your best defense may be offering her a little beef jerky and a spa gift card. You've been warned.
Sources: BabyCenter.com, AmericanPregnancy.org, Parents.com, Livestrong.com