If you had vivid dreams concerning your baby during your pregnancy, these dreams may be revisiting you now that you are a mom. The new emotions and responsibilities derived from having a baby may be showing up in your dreams or nightmares.

What dreams are

Dreams mostly take place in the R.E.M. stage or rapid eye movement stage of sleep.  In the tests carried out during this phase, brain activity is high. Although you also dream in other phases of your sleep, these dreams are less notorious and more difficult to remember.  

Scientists do not yet agree as to why we dream and there are also all kinds of theories about the purpose of dreaming. Some experts consider that it is the way that many species with complex brains consolidate the information obtained during the day. Others believe they are the reflection of an emotional state the person is undergoing.  

Because motherhood is one of the biggest changes in a woman’s life, it is no wonder that she has unsettling dreams both during pregnancy and after delivery.  

The meaning of dreams

Apart from the function of dreams, their meaning is directly related with the person who hast the dream. Why? Because each of the elements that appear in a dream have a personal relevancy for that person. For example, dreaming of a person dressed in black could mean something sad, traditional or elegant, depending on who has the dream.  

Having a child, apart from being a source of great happiness, can also bring on much anxiety and many hidden fears such as: will I be a good mom? Will I know how to care for my baby? What will happen to my personal freedom? What about my work? And many more questions.

Which is the recurring subject in your dreams? Do you lose your baby and can’t find it? Is it a very small baby that you have no idea how to care for? These dreams may be a reflection of your insecurity concerning your role as a mom. As yourself what kind of a mom you’d like to be and what your fear of not being the best mom is based on.  

Analyze the details of your dreams and the feelings they inspire. Is there water? Is it murky? Is it clear? This could indicate an emotional state. Is your family in it? Are there jewels or any legacy that you have to take care of? That could be a reflection of your responsibility as a mom and your fear of not being as good as other mothers in your family.

Talk about it

If your dreams are very vivid and do not let you rest, talk about it with your partner or any other family member. Describe your dreams; think about the details and what they may mean. Talk and think about the fears you may be hiding. Sometimes, when hidden dreams are thought about consciously, they can be seen in their real dimension and your fears may dissolve.

It is true that you have just started a new phase in your life and that you are facing winds of change, and are giving up certain things. Keep your expectations realistic and do not set goals for yourself as a mom or as a professional, that are unattainable and that will help you live with a greater sense of calm and happiness with yourself.