Dreams During Pregnancy: What Your Unconscious May Be Processing
This article was written by Molly Nourmand, LMFT for Ergobaby.
Pregnancy is not only a physical transformation — it is a profound psychological one. As a psychotherapist trained in Depth Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute, my work is deeply influenced by the teachings of Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud, who explored the connection between our unconscious and conscious emotional lives.
During pregnancy, your psyche becomes especially active. You are undergoing one of the most significant identity shifts of your life — from maiden to mother — and your dreams often reflect this transformation.
If you are navigating intense emotions during pregnancy, know that this is normal. Many individuals seeking pregnancy therapy Los Angeles or pregnancy counseling Los Angeles are surprised to discover how much of their emotinal experience surfaces in dreams.
Why Dreams Intensify During Pregnancy
Pregnancy activates both the conscious and unconscious mind.
Freud described the unconscious as:
“A reservoir of feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness.”
Pregnancy is often filled with:
Doctor’s appointments
Registry planning
Birth preparation
Body changes
Relationship shifts
With so much happening externally, it can be easy to ignore your internal emotional life. However, your dreams may be quietly processing:
Ambivalence about motherhood
Fears about birth
Concerns about identity
Shifts in partnership
Questions about readiness
These feelings are deeply human, even when they feel socially unacceptable to admit.
How Tracking Dreams Can Support Your Emotional Well-Being
Tracking dreams during pregnancy can help you:
Understand unconscious fears
Process identity transitions
Reduce anxiety
Increase emotional awareness
Prepare psychologically for postpartum changes
For many people, dream work becomes a powerful complement to pregnancy and postpartum therapy Los Angeles, especially when navigating anxiety or mixed feelings about becoming a parent.
“But I Don’t Remember My Dreams”
This is the most common response I hear in therapy.
Interestingly, pregnancy often increases dream recall because sleep tends to be lighter due to:
Physical discomfort
Frequent waking
Hormonal changes
Here are ways to improve dream recall:
1. Make It a Habit
Dream tracking is like any other habit, consistency matters. Record dreams as soon as you wake, even if you only remember fragments.
2. Keep a Dream Journal Nearby
Options include:
A dedicated dream journal
Notes app (label entries “dream”)
Voice memos
The key is accessibility.
3. Record in Present Tense
Write as if it is happening now:
“I am walking through water…”
This keeps imagery vivid and emotionally connected.
4. Use a Progressive Alarm Clock
Gentle alarms allow you to transition slowly from dream state to waking state. Abrupt alarms can interrupt recall.
5. Reflect on the Feeling Tone — Not Just Symbols
In my work, I do not rely on dream dictionaries. Instead, I explore:
Your personal associations
Emotional themes
Repeated imagery
The overall mood of the dream
Dreams are intimate. Their meaning lies in your subjective experience.
Common Dream Themes During Pregnancy
In my clinical work with pregnant and postpartum individuals — including those later seeking postpartum therapy Los Angeles — certain themes appear frequently.
Fears
Birth
Loss of freedom
Disconnection from partner
Baby’s wellbeing
Not being a “good enough” mother
Identity
Old self vs. new self
Career vs. motherhood
Body image
Sexuality
Dependency
Ambivalence
Relationships
Partner dynamics
Relationship with your own mother
Friendships
Colleagues
Expanding family roles
These themes often continue into the postpartum period. That is why ongoing emotional support — whether through postpartum therapy near me searches or structured therapy — can be deeply protective.
You Are Not Alone in Mixed Feelings
The metamorphosis into motherhood is complex. Joy and grief often coexist.
Awareness of your dream life can:
Ease the transition into motherhood
Reduce shame around ambivalence
Strengthen self-trust
Prepare you emotionally for postpartum changes
If your dreams are bringing up anxiety, fear, or persistent distress, professional support can help you process these experiences safely.
Our therapists specialize in:
Pregnancy therapy Los Angeles
Pregnancy counseling Los Angeles
Postpartum therapy
Pregnancy and postpartum therapy Los Angeles
If you are noticing increased anxiety, identity shifts, or emotional overwhelm during pregnancy, you are not meant to navigate it alone.
→ Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation
OR
→ Reach out through our secure contact form
You can also join our newsletter for resources on pregnancy, postpartum mental health, and identity transitions into motherhood.
For more on this subject, check out the book Dreaming for Two: The Hidden Emotional Life of Expectant Mothers.
Dream work education:
*Pacifica Graduate Institute: Steve Aisenstat, PhD; Robert Bosnak, Jungian psychoanalyst
*Post graduate studies: with Lionel Corbett, MD & Jungian psychoanalyst; Narandja Milanovich, PhD; Joan C. Concannon, M.A., M.F.T Certified Jungian Analyst; and dream group with Depth Psychotherapist colleagues