I'm nine weeks pregnant with my second baby. My son is going through the terrible two's. I feel like I'm about ready to explode. I feel like the whole world is against me, and I cry at the drop of a hat. I can't control my feelings at all. I feel so full of anger. I just hate feeling this way. What can I do to start feeling better? This didn't happen the first time I was pregnant.

--Kelly

The first time you were pregnant you didn't have a two-year-old underfoot! Many -- actually most -- women are more emotional than usual during pregnancy; your hormones are in an uproar and incredible changes are happening in your body. When you add to this mix the challenges of raising a toddler, it is no wonder you are feeling these feelings. It is important to recognize that they are normal. It is also very important to ask for help -- you are nurturing this little baby inside you, and you have to nurture yourself as well.

Often it helps just to tell your spouse how you feel and to ask for help with your son and your household. (After all, it's his son and his house too!) Talk to friends, especially those with children --just ventilating your feelings can help to defuse them. If you are feeling particularly overwhelmed, take a "time out" for yourself -- get someone else to watch your son for a while so you can take a walk or a bath, listen to your favorite music or read a chapter in the book you haven't been able to get to for weeks -- anything that you enjoy.

If your feelings are so intense that you are afraid you may harm yourself or your son, seek help immediately. Call your doctor, a trusted member of the clergy, a good friend or the local mental health hot line.

If we did a poll of pregnant women and asked how many feel overwhelmed at times, I'll bet it would be close to 100 percent.

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