Mental health during pregnancy is the stuff nobody tells you when they’re all “ooh look at the bump!” I’m sitting here in my South Jersey apartment, rain banging on the window like it’s mad at me, wearing the same hoodie since Tuesday, and my brain is straight-up broken. I cried because the pizza guy forgot my ranch. Extra ranch. Then I tipped him 25% out of guilt and ate the whole pie anyway. Cool cool cool.

Why Mental Health During Pregnancy Hits Like a Freight Train

I had a planner. Like, color-coded. I was gonna be the chill pregnant lady. Then week 9 happened and prenatal mental health was like “lol nope.” I yelled at my husband for breathing. BREATHING. I named my anxiety “Susan” and told her to leave me alone. She didn’t. She’s still here eating my snacks.

Cluttered nightstand at 3 a.m.: pregnancy test, half-empty pickle jar, crumpled tissues, phone showing Google search “is crying over burnt toast normal.” Caption: “My brain at 2:47 a.m.”
Cluttered nightstand at 3 a.m.: pregnancy test, half-empty pickle jar, crumpled tissues, phone showing Google search “is crying over burnt toast normal.” Caption: “My brain at 2:47 a.m.”

Bump Brain Fog Is My New Personality

Put the remote in the freezer. Bought a pool floatie in November. Texted my mom “happy birthday” on the wrong day. She sent cake pics. I cried harder. Maternal emotional rollercoaster? More like a dumpster fire with glitter.

  • dumb things i did this week:
  • googled “can babies feel my stress” at 3am (NIH says yes)
  • ate cereal with orange juice (no milk)
  • apologized to the baby for “bad vibes”

Pregnancy Anxiety and the 47-Tab Google Spiral

Every kick is a text message: MOM FIX IT. Lost a sock. Found it in the freezer next to the ben & jerry’s. Laughed. Cried. Ate it with a fork. ACOG says this is normal but like… is it??

Blurry bathroom mirror selfie: smudged mascara, messy bun, holding positive pregnancy test and coffee. Foggy mirror with sad face. Caption: “Morning mood: sponsored by hormones.”
Blurry bathroom mirror selfie: smudged mascara, messy bun, holding positive pregnancy test and coffee. Foggy mirror with sad face. Caption: “Morning mood: sponsored by hormones.”

Maternal Mental Health: The Guilt Edition

Felt bad for feeling bad. Sat on the couch with hot cheetos staring at the ultrasound like “sorry i suck.” Baby kicked like “mom i’m chilling.” She’s already cooler than me.

my half-baked survival kit

  1. scream into taco pillow
  2. group chat every unhinged thought (they send gifs)
  3. make husband rub feet and lie about the glow (it’s sweat)
Dog tilts head at ultrasound on fridge, paw on spilled gummy bears. Caption: “Rover’s reviewing the new roommate application.”
Dog tilts head at ultrasound on fridge, paw on spilled gummy bears. Caption: “Rover’s reviewing the new roommate application.”

So Does Mental Health During Pregnancy Actually Matter?

Yeah science says stress can mess with baby brain stuff (read if you want anxiety). But also if i don’t chill i’m yeeting the keurig. So i’m trying. Some days i win. Some days dinner is frosting.

Still a mess. Nursery paint is “Regret Gray.” Sent my OB a voice memo meant for my bestie. Cried at a car insurance ad. But i’m breathing. Waddling. Texting SOS at 2am because baby hiccuped and i thought labor.

yo if you’re pregnant and spiraling:
drop your weirdest cry or craving below. or dm me your dog’s judgment face. i’ll bring pickles. you bring whatever’s left of your sanity.

p.s. if you see me in target buying christmas lights for the crib, no you didn’t.

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