What your dreams are really telling you

Pregnancy is a peak time for odd dreams. Hormonal fluctuations can be to blame - however, the emotional upheaval of becoming a mum definitely plays its part and they don't stop when baby is here!

Here are the 12 most common dreams that mums have and what they really mean.

1 Dreaming about being pregnant – when you’re not

Naturally, you need to put this dream into context of your own personal situation. If you’re trying for a baby, then it’s a simple wish fulfilment dream – like dreaming of winning the lottery.

However, if you’re not planning to add to your family at the moment, experts say dreaming you’re pregnant is connected to creativity.

Your subconscious is telling you: start expressing yourself in a creative way – write that blog, or, perhaps overhaul your home, so it's as gorgeous as you wish it to be.

2 Forgetting the baby

You’re out at the supermarket, or in the street, when suddenly you feel something’s missing.

Then you realise what it is, and you are horror-struck – where is your baby?

You've mislaid your baby! If you have this dream, it indicates you are worried about your abilities as a mum.

Your subconscious is telling you: you need to address why you’re feeling insecure about your abilities and find ways to boost your confidence.

It may also be concern about ‘mislaying’ an essential element of yourself.

3 You dream your baby had died

Dreaming of a dead baby is understandably distressing, but don’t panic.

This is not a prophetic dream. Of course, if you’re pregnant, dreaming of a dead baby is an obvious and understandable anxiety dream.

However, there's also important symbolism connected with dreaming of a dead baby. It’s indicating that a chapter in your life that was very important is now closing.

Your subconscious is telling you: it’s time to move on from a difficult or painful situation, even if this was once very precious. If you’re reluctant to let go of the baby, this will mirror the reluctance you have in real life.

4 Teeth falling out

Dreaming about having your teeth fall out can make you wake with a jolt.

You probably know that in times past, when nutrition was poor and there was no NHS, it wasn’t unusual for women to lose teeth when they had babies.

If you’re pregnant or have recently had a baby, you may have awareness of this, hence the dream.

However, there's also likely to be a more deep-rooted psychological reason for dreaming about having your teeth fall out.

You may be concerned about the image you are projecting to others crumbling or being knocked out. You may also be concerned that now you’re a mum, your attractiveness or your power in life has been diminished.

Your subconscious is telling you: time to grab some power back – this could be a sign to slick on some lippy, or find a project to help rediscover the real you.

5 Your child has been hurt

Dreaming that your child hurts himself is awful for a mum. You may wake up in a hot sweat, fretting, and go and check to ensure your child is OK.

First of all, you must know this is not forecasting a tragedy.

However, you have taken your eye off the ball with respect to a particular situation.

Your subconscious is giving you a bit of a nudge.

Your subconscious is telling you: pay attention – someone, or something needs your focus.

6 Your home is burnt down or flooded

According to dream experts, our homes often represent ourselves, with separate rooms revealing elements of our psyche.

So if there are problems with flooding or fire in the bedroom, that means your intimate relationships, the kitchen your family life, the toilet area, the hidden parts of your life you’d rather were flushed away.

Your subconscious is telling you: if the whole house has burnt down or is flooded, your subconscious is telling you an overhaul of your life may be required soon!

7 You open a door in your home and find a new space

This is a very common dream.

You’re in your home and everything feels so familiar. Then you open a door – and, a bit like Narnia, you’re in another world. They key to decoding this dream is working out what this space means.

How do you feel in this new space?

This extra space is giving you a clue into what you need more of in your life.

Your subconscious is telling you: if your door opens up into acres of rolling countryside, and you feel exhilarated, perhaps you need some more ‘me-time’.

Walk into a room full of childhood mementoes? Think about reaching out to childhood friends.

If this space feels scary, ask yourself – are there elements of your life which need sorting but you’re trying to ignore? Your subconscious is telling you to woman up and confront them, once and for all.

8 You’re flying

Flying is usually a happy, exciting dream.

Chances are, you’re feeling optimistic and ambitious. You’re on the path to reaching those high goals you've set yourself and little can stop you.

Have you secured a victory of some kind lately? This may be your nocturnal way of celebrating!

Your subconscious is telling you: well done! However, some dream experts have linked flying dreams to needing sexual release!

You may want to ask yourself, does your sex life need a bit of attention?!

9 Trying to reach a destination?

Remember the film Planes, Trains and Automobiles?

A businessman is trying to get home for Thanksgiving, and comes up against all manner of problems that stop him.

This dream is like that. You're desperate to reach a person and/or destination, but obstacles keep getting thrown in your way.

Your subconscious is trying to tell you: the destination or person you want to reach represents a bond you’re trying to make stronger.

If it’s your husband, pay some attention to him. If you're trying to get to work, you may want to up your game there.

Perhaps it's your kids? If so, put some family time in the diary.

10 Doing an exam

You left school years ago. So how come you’re sitting in an exam hall – which is often completely empty apart from yourself – about to take an exam?

You feel panicky and disorientated – perhaps you were late. But it gets worse.

You turn over the paper and the exam is completely incomprehensible.

There’s something wrong with your pen. The paper is in a foreign language. Your heart is hammering. The clock seems to whizz by – you will never finish this exam! You wake up in a sweat ...

What your subconscious is trying to tell you: you’re fearful and anxious that you will let others – and yourself - down. You’re probably a perfectionist and have super high standards.

Try and give yourself a break, you can’t do everything. Does it really matter if you ’fail’ this exam generated by your subconscious? Be more relaxed, and you’ll be more succesful.

11 Having sex with an acquaintance

This person could be the your child’s headteacher, your boss, or even the lollypop man at the school gates.

You wake up baffled, with the words ‘But I don’t even fancy him!’ echoing in your brain.

What on earth is going on here? Don’t panic. It doesn’t mean you fancy the lollipop man (unless, of course, he looks like Zac Efron).

Your subconscious is trying to tell you: you really admire that person – or, more importantly, the qualities they represent to you.

Sex is the ultimate way to become closer to these qualities, which is why you’ve dreamed this.

12 Naked on the school run

You’re rushing the kids out – packed lunches checked, book bags present - and as you’re marching towards the school, you look down.

You are utterly starkers.

Dreaming you’re naked in a public place indicates that you're feeling a little vulnerable.

Your subconscious is telling you: if you’re actually waiting outside the school gates with all of the other mums, it’s indicating that you don’t feel very secure with these people.

You need to find ways to boost your confidence.