--- title: 'What Causes Low Mood In Pregnancy?' slug: low-mood-depression-in-pregnancy lifeStage: pregnancy category: Mood medicalReviewer: 'Dr Jade Thomas, HCPC Registered Psychologist and BPS Chartered Psychologist' reviewerId: 'https://blog.bloume.com/pregnancy/medical-board.md#dr-jade-thomas' lastUpdated: '2026-07-30' primarySource: 'Perinatal mental illnesses' wordCount: 1116 readTimeInSeconds: 279 --- # What Causes Low Mood In Pregnancy? Pregnancy does not always feel the way you expected. A persistent flatness, tearfulness, or sense of disconnection from your baby can sit alongside the nausea, fatigue, and broken sleep. Low mood in pregnancy is common and recognised, and it sits apart from the ordinary ups and downs of expecting a baby. This article explains what low mood and depression in pregnancy can feel like, what contributes to it, and the practical steps you can take, including when to speak to your midwife or GP. **Q: Is it common to feel low during pregnancy?** A: Yes. Feeling tired, irritable, or emotionally mixed is part of pregnancy for most people. If the low mood lasts two weeks or more, and comes with things like persistent sadness, loss of interest, or feeling disconnected from your baby, it is worth speaking to your midwife or GP. Perinatal mental health problems affect up to 27% of new and expectant mothers, so these feelings are far more common than you might think. Pregnancy can bring a heaviness that does not lift, a tearfulness that arrives without warning, or a flatness that makes it hard to feel interested in things that used to matter to you. These are not the feelings you expected, and they sit apart from the ordinary emotional ups and downs of pregnancy. They are worth paying attention to. Low mood and depression in pregnancy turn up more often than people assume. Perinatal mental health problems affect up to 27% of new and expectant mothers during pregnancy or in the first year after birth. ## The difference between ordinary mood changes and persistent low mood Feeling tired, irritable, or pulled in different directions is part of pregnancy for most people. Hormonal shifts, physical discomfort, and the size of the change ahead can all move how you feel from one day to the next. These ups and downs come with the territory. Antenatal depression, low mood during pregnancy, feels different. It brings a sadness or hopelessness that sticks around, and a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, lasting weeks or months rather than days. If the low feeling does not ease, or it keeps coming back, that pattern is worth talking through with a professional rather than waiting for it to pass. ## Recognising the symptoms of low mood and depression in pregnancy It does not always look like sadness on its own. You might notice several of these: - Persistent sadness or tearfulness - Irritability or a short fuse that feels out of proportion - Loss of interest in things you would normally enjoy - Feeling disconnected from your baby or from the pregnancy - Poor concentration or trouble making decisions - Changes in appetite or sleep beyond the usual disruptions of pregnancy Noticing these in yourself is not the same as a diagnosis. A midwife or GP can talk through what you are going through and assess it properly. ## What can contribute to low mood during pregnancy Low mood in pregnancy usually comes from several things at once. The nausea, fatigue, and broken sleep that come with pregnancy can wear on your mood, and hormonal changes add to that. These are physical shifts happening in your body. What is going on around you and in your past matters too. A history of mental health difficulties, changes in your relationships, little support around you, stressful events, or past trauma can all make low mood more likely during pregnancy. If any of these sound like you, it helps to mention them to your midwife early on, so support can be put in place. ## Practical steps that can support your mood If your symptoms are mild, a few self-help approaches can help steady your mood alongside professional support. They do not replace proper care when symptoms are persistent or severe. They can still be a useful part of the picture. - Gentle movement, which can lift your mood without straining your body - Eating regularly and keeping meals balanced where you can - Resting when you can, rather than pushing through exhaustion - Making time for things you enjoy, even small ones - Connecting with other expectant parents, through antenatal classes or local groups - Trying relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or breathing exercises Talking about how you feel can help too. A partner, friend, or family member is one place to start. If that feels hard, your midwife or GP is there to listen. ## When and how to seek professional support If the low feeling has stuck around for more than two weeks, it is worth speaking to your GP or midwife. It is worth knowing that clinicians have safeguarding duties, which in limited cases mean some information may need to be passed to other professionals involved in your care. Support can include talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a structured talking therapy that looks at how your thoughts and behaviour shape your mood. In some cases, certain antidepressants may be considered during pregnancy. That always comes with a detailed talk through the benefits and risks with your clinical team, and the decision rests with you and your doctor. For more complex situations, you can be referred to a specialist perinatal mental health team. > **WARNING**: If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, seek urgent help straight away. Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. For urgent but non-emergency support, call NHS 111 (available 24 hours) or speak to a GP as an emergency. You can also contact the Samaritans at any time on 116 123. --- **Q: Is it common to feel low during pregnancy?** Yes. Feeling tired, irritable, or emotionally mixed is part of pregnancy for most people. If the low mood lasts two weeks or more, and comes with things like persistent sadness, loss of interest, or feeling disconnected from your baby, it is worth speaking to your midwife or GP. Perinatal mental health problems affect up to 27% of new and expectant mothers, so these feelings are far more common than you might think. **Q: How is low mood in pregnancy different from antenatal depression?** Low mood in pregnancy can be a short-lived response to hormonal changes, physical symptoms like nausea and poor sleep, or stressful circumstances. Antenatal depression brings persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, lasting weeks or months. The difference matters, because antenatal depression responds well to professional assessment and structured support, while milder ups and downs may ease with self-help and the people around you. If you are not sure where your experience sits, a conversation with your midwife or GP is the clearest way to find out. **Q: What treatments are available for depression during pregnancy?** Support can include talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which you can access through your GP. In some cases, certain antidepressants may be considered during pregnancy after a careful talk through the potential benefits and risks with your doctor. More complex situations may be referred to a specialist perinatal mental health team. Treatment decisions are made with your clinical team and shaped around what is right for you. **Q: What should you do if you are worried about how you are feeling but are nervous about speaking to a professional?** It is understandable to feel unsure about raising mental health worries. Your midwife or GP has these conversations often, and what you share is handled with care. You do not need to have reached a crisis point before asking for help. If speaking directly feels hard as a first step, you might find it easier to start with a trusted friend or family member, or to contact the Samaritans on 116 123, who offer a listening service at any time. ### Clinical Sources - [Perinatal mental illnesses](https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/perinatal-mental-illnesses/) - [Perinatal mental illnesses](https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/perinatal-mental-illnesses/) - [Perinatal mental illnesses](https://maternalmentalhealthalliance.org/about-maternal-mental-health/perinatal-mental-illnesses/) - [What is safeguarding?](https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/safeguarding/) - [Perinatal mental health](https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/perinatal/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/mental-health/) - [Depression in pregnancy](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/depression/) - [Depression in pregnancy](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/depression/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/mental-health/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/mental-health/) - [Depression in pregnancy](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/depression/) - [Depression in pregnancy](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/depression/) - [Mental health](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/mental-health-in-pregnancy-and-after-the-birth/mental-health/) --- Reviewed by Dr Jade Thomas, HCPC Registered Psychologist and BPS Chartered Psychologist | [Medical Board](https://blog.bloume.com/pregnancy/medical-board.md) | July 2026