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February 2013 Moms
Postbaby Body Fears?
Lately, due to the rapid gain in inches around my waiste, I've become completely preoccupied with what will happen to my body after the baby comes.
I know there's a tiny human growing in my stomach which constitutes weight gain and lots of extra inches but I can't help but feel horrible about my body now and how much worse its going to get. I feel completely just blah and disgusting, so much so that its affecting my mood and eating habits. At my last appointment I had lost weight instead of gaining it, my doctor asked that I eat more calories and keep a food journal to show healthy eating habits because she was concerned.
I know its silly to be so fixated on it but I'm not sure what to do to alleviate that voice in my head telling me I'm getting fat! Any suggestions or people feeling the same way??
I know there's a tiny human growing in my stomach which constitutes weight gain and lots of extra inches but I can't help but feel horrible about my body now and how much worse its going to get. I feel completely just blah and disgusting, so much so that its affecting my mood and eating habits. At my last appointment I had lost weight instead of gaining it, my doctor asked that I eat more calories and keep a food journal to show healthy eating habits because she was concerned.
I know its silly to be so fixated on it but I'm not sure what to do to alleviate that voice in my head telling me I'm getting fat! Any suggestions or people feeling the same way??
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Re: Postbaby Body Fears?
Anyways, its made me have fear what's coming this time. I just try to focus on the fact that weight gain is for the good of the baby, and the
weight will come off eventually. I did get down below my prebaby weight after I stopped breastfeeding.
Instead of focusing on the scale, I try to eat well and know that I will gain what I need to.
Diagnosed w/ Endo 9/18/09
On continuous BC until April 2010
Make a pregnancy ticker</div
How does your SO feel about your body changes? I think what has helped me is knowing that DH thinks I am beautiful regardless of my saggy boobs and pudgy tummy. He tells me how proud he is of what my body has done and how beautiful it is that my body gave him his babies. That really helps me.
Honestly, I think realistic goals are helpful. I am fortunate not to have TV and not to read magazines. The only women in my life are real people with real bodies. They have had children and have womanly shapes. When I look around, I feel good about myself knowing that my bodily changes are normal and beautiful. That's my one word of advice to you - get rid of the pop culture trash that tells you that you either a) should look like a size 2 after having children or that b) it matters at all.
Having my babies is the most beautiful and important thing I have ever done in my life. Nursing my babies helps keep them healthy and happy. When I truly think about these things it puts the saggy boobs and belly into perspective. My body is my badge of honor. I'm a mother and I'm proud of what my body has done.
I'm just afraid it won't go back to normal. Obviously I know there will be changes in my body- it would be ridiculous to think I would look exactly the same. I know everything "shifts", but I didn't have any cellulite before pregnancy, so I'd ideally like to make it back to not having any after pregnancy. I swear I'm carrying this baby in my ass and thighs, though, so we'll see.
As far as suggestions, I have none. I feel the same way, especially now that I weigh more than DH. He constantly tells me I'm sexy and beautiful, and reminds me that the weight gain is a good thing (my doctor wants me to gain 35-45 lbs! ACK!) and baby needs it to be born healthy, but I just wish I felt as beautiful and sexy as he tells me I am. I'm just trying to tough it out and enjoy the bigger boobs
I hope that helps to alleviate your fears.
As long as you eat healthy, get some light excercise and don't go overboard your body will be fine after LO is born. Right now your body has to expand - there is no possible way to grow a baby unless it does!
I gained about 25lb with DS and after he was born I only had 8lb to lose. The rest of that weight was all baby, placenta and fluids! I was extremely happy with the 8lb I had leftover after DS, and bf'ing helped me lose the rest of it.
Unfortunately, over the past year I've gained about 7lb back but that is my own fault and has nothing to do with the weight I gained with being pregnant (I used to be 27lb heavier and lost it all before me wedding and getting PG with DS - have since gained thsoe 7lb back), so with this LO I am starting out 7lb heavier than I was with DS! I am being very mindful of what I eat and trying to be healthy and go for walks to help out with that. And bf'ing again will help!
You will be fine!
Don't stress too much. It really is amazing how big our bellies get and then shrink back.
What do they say nine months up, nine months down? It's a process but you can get your body back.
I know where you are coming from. I've dealt with eating disorders. I have had PPD very bad, and took antidepressants. For me antidepressants were not the answer, it was exercise and changing my situation(I was in a controlling-abusive relationship at the time). Exercise was great for my mind though. That nagging body dysmorphia does creep in at times, but I don't let it get to me like it once has. I don't weigh myself, b/c it is ridiculous how I'm feeling perfectly fine, I step on the scale and am more than I want to be and it puts me in a bad mood...stupid really.
You're body will bounce back. Work hard like before and you'll see results.
You can and will bounce back if you want to. My older sister has had four children in five years and just competed in an Ironman last month. Her body is amazing and you would never know she had four children (not that it matters what her body looks like - the fact that it can compete in an Ironman after shooting out four kids is amazing).
And if it makes you feel better, I bounced right back after #1 and #2. I actually weighed less and was more fit after #2 than I was before I ever got pregnant, because I worked at it. #3 is what changed my body forever.
First, totally normal. Second I agree with the above posters that your body is creating another human being, so when I would get down, I would then think, rock on, I not only created but am feeding another human being.
I kept hearing that the weight would fall off after nursing and that i would make a ton of milk like my mother and sister. Well things are not the same for everyone. I actually had a really hard time with nursing (felt like a FAILURE) and spent an obscene amount on lactation specialists, herbs, vitamins, pumps etc. I nursed every 60-90 minutes for 3 months and finally decided i needed to reassess what worked for me. My mother was la leche and actually had an intervention with me to please at least try some formula to give myself a break.
Reason I say this is that all plans with bodies and babies are set to be distrupted at times. Give yourself a break, don't listen to the media (trust me, i work in media, they are getting tummy tucks, trainers, etc.) and enjoy the experience.
Try not to stress too much. You just can't know what the changed will or won't be until after the baby is here and you've given everything some time to settle. I got down to my pre-baby weight within about 6 months but was definitely more squishy. However, I truly think that was because I was eating ok, but not super well, and I lost some muscle during pg and never put in the work to get it back. I'm 100% positive that if I had put my mind to eating cleaning and hitting the weights that I could have looked my best ever. Yeah, my boobs were a little droopier, but DH never cared, and a good bra perked them right up.
Now, this time I went into the PG a smidge heavier and still without regaining the muscles, so I'm a little worried. Mostly just that with the MUCH faster belly expansion going on, that I'll get the wrinkly mom belly skin. But I know there's nothing I can do about that, really.
Baby #1, born 3/1/13, Baby #2 due 12/13/14