How to Feel “Pretty” During Pregnancy? 🥵

letitbewild

Okay, I know this sounds super shallow, but I am struggling to feel attractive throughout this first trimester or pregnancy. 

Between dry skin and breakouts, bloating, soreness, not having the energy to do my makeup or regular self-care, vomiting, and peeing myself when vomiting a little too aggressively, I’m finding it impossible to feel desirable or confident.

I feel GROSS AF. I’m not showing and I’m definitely not glowing. I feel like I was definitely promised a glow — like, come on!

How did you boost your self-esteem during the first trimester of pregnancy when your body is going through so many changes?

harpseal135

letitbewild said:

Okay, I know this sounds super shallow, but I am struggling to feel attractive throughout this first trimester or pregnancy. 

Between dry skin and breakouts, bloating, soreness, not having the energy to do my makeup or regular self-care, vomiting, and peeing myself when vomiting a little too aggressively, I’m finding it impossible to feel desirable or confident.

I feel GROSS AF. I’m not showing and I’m definitely not glowing. I feel like I was definitely promised a glow — like, come on!

How did you boost your self-esteem during the first trimester of pregnancy when your body is going through so many changes?

Just accepting that I am pregnant, my body will change (may or may not be the same post pregnancy) and it's my body's job to grow a baby.  Try and eat as healthy as you can, try to get walks in or any type of exercise.  Do things for you - dont worry about house cleaning or laundry for a couple of days a week.  Sit, relax take an extra nap, ask your SO for a shoulder rub, take long relaxing showers, bing watch your favorite show.  

Sorry, but pregnancy glow is not a guarante .  I never got it.  Those that 'got it' that I know of wasnt until the END of second trimester.  

Take care of yourself, and do what you can for yourself. 

meggyme

Getting maternity clothes that fit and are comfortable go a long way toward making me feel better about myself. A little pampering goes a long way too: painting my toe nails, getting my hair done, or getting a massage.

suzycupcake

It doesn't sound shallow. Pregnancy is no walk in the park. It's taxing physically, mentally, and emotionally. All the women I've seen posting in first trimester vs second trimester unanimously felt better in second trimester. The best thing that you can do is to accept it and tell yourself that you are doing something super important. 

Each trimester for me has been a daily practice in mental health. I listen to a daily pregnancy affirmations audio track, make sure I eat well and hydrate, exercise (walking is a big deal too), stay away from the mirror, stay off the scale, and stay away from Google. A sense of humor about it all goes a long way too. And then I've thrown in a couple mani/pedis, a haircut, several baths with candles lit, stuff like that... since I've been pregnant. 

I'm sorry that you are throwing up, having breakouts, lack energy, and feeling this way. If that were happening to me, I'd feel that way too. Please keep reminding yourself that you are pregnant. That's what this is. You're pregnant. You're not gross and you're not undesirable, no matter how you feel. You're beautiful and you are growing a beautiful baby. That's hard, hard work. Hugs.