What is the most common expected emotional reaction of a woman to the news that she is pregnant?

The most common expected emotional reaction to the news of pregnancy is often ambivalence. This is because many women experience a wide range of emotions when they learn they are pregnant. While some may feel excitement or joy, others may also experience uncertainty, anxiety, or mixed feelings about the changes ahead.

Ambivalence captures the complexity of emotions tied to pregnancy, including considerations about the woman's current life situation, relationship status, financial stability, and readiness for motherhood. It's not uncommon for women to feel both happiness and worry at the same time, leading to a state of ambivalence where both positive and negative feelings coexist.

In contrast, feelings like jealousy, acceptance, or depression might occur but are typically less common as the initial reaction. Jealousy is not a typical immediate response, as pregnancy news generally does not invoke rivalry. Acceptance may come later as the woman adjusts to the idea of pregnancy, and depression is more likely if there are existing concerns or complications. Ambivalence, however, captures the immediate complexity and fluctuation of emotions that many women experience upon learning they are pregnant.