Pregnancy and Body Image

snarkylibrarian · October 2014

I love how I look pregnant and will really miss my big round bump, along with all the fabulous hair days, long nails and blemish-free skin! I honestly think I've never looked better!

I've struggled with my weight my entire life and just surrendering the battle to pregnancy and accepting my body as is has been really liberating! This is the first time in my life that I've actually found my body to be beautiful, rather than something to be sucked in, covered up and hidden. As much as I am excited for LO to arrive, I'm also dreading the aftermath of what I will look like and how it will impact my self-esteem. I am hoping to go back to trying to lose weight after baby is born and I know breastfeeding will help, but there will definitely be some sadness that comes along with losing this beautiful shape! When not pregnant, I try to embrace being plus size (while being healthy), but with all these stretch marks, less than perky boobs and a deflated tummy, it's gonna be hard, I bet!

Anyone else feeling this way?

howin23 · October 2014

My sis patted my belly and joked, "how long have we tried to get our bellies that firm?" It's true...my belly has never been so firm, but I can't say I like how I look pregnant because I'm simply huge. My weight has fluctuated drastically since 10th grade so I understand where you're coming from. I'll probably have gained 50 lbs by the time I have the baby, which is going to be tough to lose, particularly because I want to get pregnant again soon.

I'm going to try to give myself time, enjoy my huge boobs, and focus on getting fit and strong again instead of just the numbers on the scale. I'm also going to be very firm with anyone who comments on my weight or asks about it, particularly the comments about how I'd better lose it quickly because my husband is in very good shape and there are lots of women at his office (he was actually even more offended by this than I was).

I also might buy myself some nice jeans in a larger size. I won't be fitting into my old ones for a long time.

silverwings72 · October 2014

Ugh. I know what you mean. Not looking forward to the weight loss thing at all. I'm trying to psych myself up for it by figuring out how to get to the gym, planning long walks with baby and DH, and planning on eating well. We should plan a thread if our own to motivate one another!!

narbuckle01 · October 2014

I think maintaining positive body image as a whole as a woman is really hard, especially pregnant. I was a size 16 pre-pregnancy and haven't gained that much weight. Some people tell me I'm all belly and I look thinner in the face. But I'm still very uncomfortable in my body as I've also gotten the "you're as big as a house" and "you know you're gonna have to loose that weight right?". I don't understand why being pregnant makes us open to all these comments and critics. I admire those of you who are embracing your body. I am definitely far from it.

LongIslandMama1114 · October 2014

I took up running last year and lost 30+ pounds before finding out I was pregnant. It was really hard for me to see the numbers going up on the scale every week when I weighed myself. But I've come to love my body now that I'm obviously pregnant.

But, I'm also very excited to move on. I'm actually looking forward to counting calories and counting down the days (weeks) until I can go for my first run. For me, looking good was a bonus...right now I miss how being healthy made me FEEL. It's so hard to find something to eat that actually sounds good to me right now and it's almost never "healthy". I want to get back to enjoying life, food, and my body like I used to.

silverwings72 · October 2014

wtf makes people think it is acceptable to discuss weight with pregnant women?? I've noticed that it's mostly women who say rude things about weight. Like, did you forget how it feels to be pregnant? Like we don't have enough stress to worry about?? Someone punch me in the face if I ever become THAT woman. b-(

mamaluzi · October 2014

I've only gained 35 pounds and was happy with my pre-preggo bod for the most part. I was by no means a string bean, but I was a healthy weight with just a tiny little pudge around my belly button in the front (only enough to make me feel self conscious in a bikini, but I'd still rock the cutoff tankinis!) I was happy to have only gained what I thought was "so little," compared to others, anyway, an people have been saying that I'm "all belly" with no weight gain anywhere else (I agree!). Then one of my doctors suddenly told me last week out of the blue that I should have "only gained 20-25" (when originally I was told 25-35 was fine), and that I have to watch it. Now I'm all paranoid about losing the weight afterwards

Well, it was good while it lasted, I suppose!

Ineedmorecoffee · October 2014

I don't feel very cute pregnant, but I am worried about how I will look pp. I bounced back fine with my son, but not sure if it'll be the same this time. Not looking forward to saggy stretched mark skin!

runningmama22 · October 2014

Ugh, this post is at a good time for me. I had a mini breakdown in my car this morning. Long story, but I dealt with an eating disorder about 9 years ago, which was a nasty thing to come out of, about 4 years of yoyo weight, feeling awkward and uncomfortable, chubbiness in all weird places... finally about 4 years ago I started running and fell in love. Ran a marathon (major accomplishment to me considering I was once 75 lbs and literally on death's door, the emotional high from completing that marathon was nothing short of amazing), then started mixing in other things when running got to be kind of routine. Before BFP I boxed hours a day 5-6 days a week and would go for a run on my off days. Never looked better (but still had issues... didnt actually see myself for what I looked like, I think I have permanent body dysmorphia honestly)... this whole pregnancy I have avoided mirrors, cried at my changing body, and felt disgusting. It makes me really sad that I felt that way .. the only time I felt beautiful is when baby girl would wiggle around, and then I would count my blessings. It doesnt help that I moved back home recently (single mom territory ahead, parents are better than where I was!!) and my sister is home from college with a full blown eating disorder of her own

It's sad, but it's very upsetting to watch also because it makes me feel like... I should be that way again. I won't, I can't, I have a baby girl to look out for and be a role model for now - but it's reeeeally hard to be around, and she doesn't hide it (yesterday: "i had a rice cake for breakfast and a perogie for dinner - so many carbs today!" .. no joke). BLAH sorry for the rant. I'm looking forward to working out again because it makes me feel so healthy, and after years of being unhealthy and working out only to "lose weight" it was amazing to be working out to feel strong... I hope I can get that vibe back and not just use the gym as a weight loss tool. Kind of nervous for the whole post-partum thing

uncharted01 · October 2014

I'm definitely nervous for my post-pregnancy body. I didn't love my pre-pregnancy body but have been pretty comfortable the entire pregnancy. I have all these women telling me how breastfeeding will speed up weight loss and it will be so effortless and yadda yadda yadda. I just keep thinking, well what if breast feeding doesn't work out for me? Or what if it does but the weight still doesn't fall off? Will everyone think I'm just not trying or I don't care? I try to say fuck it, but it's hard! I think a motivation thread like @silverwings72 suggested is a great idea.

lovingaddi · October 2014

I agree, I actually have a lot more confidence rockin this baby bump then I did pre-preg! Complete opposite of my first pregnancy...I felt yucky, but with her I always told myself that "I'm young, I'll bounce back". Well, I didn't. I felt awful about myself & that's probably the lowest I've ever been. Now I'm nervous it will be the same story after this baby is born...just 'stuck'

hiketheworld · October 2014

I'm also very nervous. I am going to hit 200lbs by the time baby arrives. I'm only a pound away. It is really deflating to me. For most of the pregnancy I've felt pretty good about my body but now I just feel huge and I know I've gained more than I should have. I can see the weight gain in my face and arms now.

I'm planning on going back to cataloging everything I eat and limiting the amount of calories I consume to a number that is less than I burn so I will lose weight. I like the Lose It app. Either that or I will do weight watchers. I will be breast feeding and plan to go for daily walks if the weather permits.

More than the weight issue, I just want to feel physically fit and healthy again.

soulcupcake · October 2014

Mentally and emotionally, I'm struggling with the weight gain. I either lost or gained little weight during previous pregnancies, and lost a lot within the first couple weeks postpartum. I was also 100+ lbs heavier during my last three pregnancies, so it's more common for heavier women to either lose, maintain or gain very little.

But, this time, I'm already up 38 lbs, and it sucks. I lost 140 lbs from summer '10 to late '12, and kept it off. Then I went on an SSRI and gained some 20 lbs. I went off it shortly before the start of this pregnancy. Add that to the pregnancy weight, and yeah, I'm not thrilled. I know I'll drop 15+ lbs within the first week postpartum, but I will still have 45 lbs to lose until I'm at a more comfortable weight. I did it before, and I can do it again.

Since this is #5, my stomach has already stretched as much as it can. I haven't gained any new stretch marks, and I'm prepared for the soft tummy/pooch during the early postpartum weeks. With weight loss and T-Tapp my body will bounce back to where it was post-massive weight loss, which I am comfortable with. I'd ideally like to get to a size 8, but I looked damn good at a 10/12.

My boobs, however, they're going to get huge when my milk comes in, and I like them filled out because I lost a lot of breast volume when had the massive weight loss. I'm going to be really bummed when she weans because they'll return to their deflated state until I am able to get them lifted and augmented.

lil_shocker · October 2014

Prior to becoming pregnant I had issues with my bodybutajor pear shape but skinny. Then got so busy in college my eating was all whacked out body started hoarding calories and I gained a bunch of weight. Still kept my curvy figure and became hourglass instead of pear. I had started losing weight when I got pregnant with my son. The weight never really bothered me (I generally make a point of not getting on the scale because I don't see much point). With both pregnancies I have loved how I carry the weight- it is mostly belly, not much changed elsewhere. However, after I had my son I just felt gross (not that I thought I looked gross, just felt icky) because I was swollen everywhere and then at the same time felt like a deflated balloon.

I have had stretch marks before pregnancy, so when I got a few more it didn't really bother me. This time I just don't care iftey come or not. I am going to work to get back in shape after this baby, but this pregnancy has kind of cemented the idea that as long as I am happy and making healthy choices, I could give a flying fuck what other people think. I care what my husband thinks because we get naked together and I want him to be proud of me (cause Ithink he's the bees knees) but other than that, oh well.

I don't know how I will feel after birth, but I hope I am still comfortable in my mindset. I did buy a pregnancy girdle to help keepthe deflated feeling in check, though.

howin23 · October 2014

@Wildflower810 I surpassed hubby's weight weeks ago! I'm probably 20 lbs above him now and there's just not much I can do about it. It sucks but it is what it is.

@LongIslandMama1114 Wow, looking forward to counting calories? I'm impressed! I am dreading it! I know as soon as I start trying to lose the weight I'll become obsessed with it, which is not good. I'll severely cut back and then will likely have issues with milk production, so I'm going to be battling that tendency.

@silverwings72 I'm all in favor of a post-baby motivation thread, but I do worry a bit about drive-by "I've lost all my weight" folks just demotivating me. I could definitely use the motivation and accountability of a group though! And of course I won't want to admit my post-baby weight to anyone IRL

.

joshua+rebecca11 · October 2014

I struggle equally with my pregnant belly and the horrifying thoughts of what my postpartum body will look like. When someone told me to pack third tri clothes to come home from the hospital I nearly cried.
I don't love my pregnant look at all. Before I was at a good weight and had nice curves, and I can't get used to having no waist and boobs that sit on my belly. Ugh.
My weight gain has been good so far, but overhearing some one say "She just keep getting bigger and bigger doesn't she?" Sure isn't the most encouraging thing to say thank you very much!!! X(
I think a motivation thread is a good idea - let's face it, probably none of us have a "perfect supermodel body"that the media says we should have, but we don't need it and we are beautiful as we are! I could certainly use the encouragement post partum!!
And @howin23 whoever says that about your husband having good looking women in his office and you needing to lose weight...is so rude and should be throat punched...Twice! X(

shindylahoe · October 2014

I much prefer the way I look pregnant. I actually fill in my skin.

Not to mention that after I finish breast feeding my breasts return to their tiny size.

You're not alone.

Lilwatz · October 2014

I can relate a lot to these. My whole life I have struggled with my weight. I have never loved my body (even at the rare times I was a "healthy" weight). Add to that my series of lifetime health issues (I am a clotter and they don't know why, I have Hashimoto's disease, I got GD during pregnancy making me more prone to type 2 diabetes) and I feel like my body just won't do what bodies are supposed to do!

Being pregnant has been great. I carried my little girl well the whole time. But what has really hit me was how much I appreciated my body during delivery and post-partum. My delivery went so smoothly! My sister told me that I was made to birth babies. Also, although my milk supply is low, I've been able to feed my daughter and that makes me appreciate my body too. For the first time I feel like my body is good at something! It's been great.

belmont1785 · October 2014

I have been large all of my life. Struggled on and off with weight. When my husband and I got married I weighed almost 400 lbs and he weighed around 330.

We knew we wanted children, but knew it was extremely unhealthy to have a child being so overweight, and I desperately wanted to be a good role model. I didn't want to be the mom on the couch saying, "go get me a pepsi" to my children. My husband and I decided together to lose weight before we tried to conceive. We agreed that the decision was to be based solely on our health and the health of our future children and would have nothing to do with looks. I am proud to say that before my BFP I had lost 180lbs and my husband has lost 80. We focused on eating what we wanted to eat, just smaller portions, and once the weight started coming off we started exercising and eventually we reached our very modest goals we had set for ourselves.

It has been very important to both of us to maintain the healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. It has been SO hard to see the numbers on the scale go up, but I combat my negative thoughts by mentally reminding myself how far I have come. I get a lot of nasty looks like I did when I was big, because people just assume I am overweight because of the amount of loose skin I have and tall build.

The absolute hardest part for me is all the comments from people about what a huge baby she is going to be. People have no idea how hard we have tried to stay healthy/on track during this pregnancy and will make comments about it. They have no idea that I walk for 1 hour 5 days a week in addition to an active job working 50 hours per week (80% of my job is spent walking.) It hurts when people say, "you are both so tall you're baby is going to weigh at least 10 lbs!" My goal is that my daughter will always know how beautiful she is, and the importance of taking care of her body for her health. Not because I want her to be skinny, because I will love her no matter what the scale says, but because I want her to have the best opportunity at a long and healthy life. It's an uphill battle when people start making comments about her before she is even here, and that's what really bothers me.

mander82 · October 2014

hiketheworld said:

I'm also very nervous. I am going to hit 200lbs by the time baby arrives. I'm only a pound away. It is really deflating to me. For most of the pregnancy I've felt pretty good about my body but now I just feel huge and I know I've gained more than I should have. I can see the weight gain in my face and arms now. I'm planning on going back to cataloging everything I eat and limiting the amount of calories I consume to a number that is less than I burn so I will lose weight. I like the Lose It app. Either that or I will do weight watchers. I will be breast feeding and plan to go for daily walks if the weather permits. More than the weight issue, I just want to feel physically fit and healthy again.

So much this. I just cannot wait to be active again and not feel like I am about to pass out from exhaustion. In my current state I have to try harder just to walk than I used to have to try to jog. I cannot wait to feel strong again.....in my arms, legs and torso. I want to do sit ups, crunches, lift weights and RUN! Bring it on, I am ready!
\m/

moroccojade · October 2014

I like how my pregnant body looks, too.

My butt, thighs and arms just seem to shrink as the belly expands!

I didn't hate my body after birth last time. I looked pretty good. I lost over 20 lbs within about 10 days. (Until I went on megadoses of domperidone... Then I gained 25, but that is another story.)

This time, I have gained less weight (18 lbs so far)... and will NOT take that drug. So I am feeling pretty confident that I will be looking decent after a few weeks.

I just need to make sure I don't overdo it at Xmas!

wildflower75 · October 2014

I was able to lose 40 lbs after DD was born last year so I'm not so worried about that but I am hoping and wishing and praying that my boobs don't go flat after breastfeeding!! Big boobs, long hair and nails and my glow have been nice to have these past months!!

absolutelymaybe · October 2014

I've struggled with anorexia/bulimia in my teenage and early adult years, but it was always about a control issue, not about how I looked. I've been really impressed with myself this entire pregnancy that I've been able to gain 70 lb (hey -- I have twins!) and have my body completely morph out of my control, but I've been proud of it. It's kind of amazing what it can handle. I mean, I make jokes about being fat right now, but I don't really feel overweight. I feel pregnant. Huge difference.

But, as OP mentioned, I am a little worried how I am going to handle it once they are born and I don't have "an excuse" (for lack of a better word) as to why my body is still out of my hands. I have reminded myself that things aren't going to look the same again, but I am hardly the only woman in the world dealing with that. I know I will be looking at other moms for support (especially twin moms) who know what it's like.

I'm looking forward to getting back into running -- not so much for weight loss -- but pre-pregnancy it was an excellent mental health exercise and helped me feel empowered by my body. I'm also a little scared, however, because I know I won't be able to hit the ground running (sorry for the pun), but build back up to my previous stamina. I'm also worried because I have had knee problems in the past and I'm not sure what the additional weight I'll be packing might tweak. I can see some dark days ahead if I'm dealing with injuries and the inability to do what I used to...

tigerpawie · October 2014

I also have struggled with body image. I used to be overweight with my first two kids and it took me a while to slowly lose the weight and incorporate more exercise in my schedule. I managed to lose down to 6/8 but kind of have slowly gained a little bit before BFP with this LO. This slow weight gain I was struggling with - it was just so hard to lose the weight to the point I had wondered if it was best for my body to be at size 8. When I was size 6, I was sick with a gallbladder attack and that had helped with the weight loss. I would not wish that on anyone. It was awful. I literally could not eat anything until I got my gallbladder removed. I also want to enjoy life by indulging in desserts occasionally and this didn't help with weight management.

So after this BFP, I got worried but I managed to keep it under control somewhat. Midwife told me to keep it under 25lb. She had hinted I was just slightly overweight. If you look at my Bmi, I'm average but just few point under Overweight. Big sigh. Whatever. Right now I think I've gained about 30-40 lb. I'm trying my best not to freak out.

I was just on iPhoto on my laptop uploading all my iPhone photos so I could do a blank restore to fix something on the phone and while the photo was 'flipping' I caught few photos I had taken of myself for a comparison. And I actually looked good a year ago. It made me sad.. And worried that I wouldn't be able to get back to this body and a little better than that.

I seriously miss exercise and eating better. FI has also been gaining weight but he just cannot find the time. He's either working so much (he works 70-80+ hours a week) and spending time with family.

we made a promise that we'd do better with food and exercise after the baby is born. I just generally want to feel fit and healthy. It's not really about the weight but just feeling better about myself and my lifestyle so I can do more stuff and enjoy life. This pregnancy has really thrown me off and I hope to get back on track.

I just feel so sluggish now. Come January, I'll be back on track! *fingers crossed*

ejpetey · October 2014

I am right there with everyone. I've struggled with my weight for most of my adult life and was at least 30lbs heavier than I should have been at the BFP... and I've stopped really keeping track but have gained at least 50lbs this pregnancy. It's been tough to see the numbers going up and up though I've definitely slacked in my eating habits and used "baby needs it" as an excuse to eat stuff I wouldn't normally eat. I also miss being active and exercising, both for the mental and physical benefits, but just haven't had the energy for it... and don't really see how I'll have the time after LO comes. I'd be all for a motivation/support group type thing! I know I've got a long road ahead to first lose the baby weight and then the extra 30 I had to start with and will need all the motivation and support I can get (and would be happy to try to offer it to others too)!

mslynn2012 · October 2014

I was one of the "unlucky" ones who didn't lose weight quickly with BFing. In fact I was still holding onto 17 pounds when I got my BFP ((DS was almost 10 months at the time).

I gained 53 pounds with my 1st pregnancy and struggled with my body image the entire time. This pregnancy I have gained 13 and am dealing with the same struggle, but it's worse knowing that my weight will not fall off with BFing like everyone said it would.

And when randoms do show up to AW their weight loss all niceness is going out the window.

silverwings72 · October 2014

@belmont1785‌ - I HATE that people are commenting on big babies. The next time someone says that to you look them dead in the eye and say, "gee, that was supportive. Thanks for that." Guilt and shame are amazing techniques when people are being jerks. (Not that I would know! Ha!

)

Seriously, I am a plus size gal who wants to slim down and be more toned after baby comes. I would love to use you ladies as my support. We don't even have to talk numbers, I'm not a fan of the scale as it just depresses me. I like to focus more on sizes and measurements.

Annnnd if anyone tries to drive by our thread with bragging BS I will tell then where to go. We do not need that kind of crap. We will be gentle with ourselves and one another, ok??

Mmmmmmmmmmk, it's a deal! Shall we begin a thread after thanksgiving? Cuz you know, thanksgiving lol Seriously, is 12/1 too soon to start it? Let me know, ladies. We are in this together.

runningmama22 · October 2014

@silverwings72‌ I'm in! And I'm ok if we don't list our weight stats.. I plan to pack on some much missed muscle anyway, scales aren't the best measurement!

Curlyfries851 · October 2014

I've always tried to embrace my full figure, but I'm scared...Ive gained 30 pounds this pregnancy which is more than I should have based on pre-pregnancy BMI. I've loved my preggo body and totally rock my bump...but I'm not sure how confident I will be post baby if I'm chubby AND have these blasted stretch marks! Ugh! And how much exercising will I realistically WANT to do in the dead of Canadian winter?!?! Yeah I'm thinking not so much. I'm totally in for a support thread though! Maybe you guys can kick my butt! Lol

mander82 · October 2014

I don't plan to start dieting or even attempting to slim down until the new year. I am going to take my time with recovery and the holidays. I refuse to pass up Christmas cookies. Once January gets here I will start keeping track of what I consume and my activity level. I don't want to overwhelm myself by starting too early or deprive myself of any holiday goodies. Even if that means wearing maternity pants for a few extra months.

belmont1785 · October 2014

@silverwings72 I am totally in.

Just because we start the threat on 12/1 doesn't mean we start "dieting" but just a support group would be super helpful. In my opinion, celebrate ALL wins, even when the scale is not involved! And the first win can be starting a group! A HEALTHY mommas group!

bumpuser10336873 · October 2014

I'm in the same boat as most of you ladies! I've always been somewhat overweight, and after some therapy to learn how to manage my emotions without consuming an entire bag of Reeses peanut butter cups, my weight did stabilize for a while. I was still 15 lbs above an ideal weight for my height, but I was happy. Cue 3.5 years of trying to get pregnant and all the emotional distress that accompanies infertility...my weight went back up. I gained weight from emotional eating, and then another 20 lbs during IVF. I'm 36 weeks tomorrow and so far I'm up nearly 30 lbs. My weight gain was slow at first, but in the last few weeks it has picked up as I've been retaining fluid.

I'd be so happy to have a supportive, non competitive board to chat with you ladies after our babies arrive! I'm definitely concerned about the amount of weight I need to lose after having my baby.

minibean16 · October 2014

I love my pregnant body. This may be the best I've ever felt about myself. I actually wear tight maternity tops that show off my belly instead of the "layered until you see nothing but mounds of fabric" look. It makes me worry about post-partum when I am dealing with all the emotions AND go back to the overwhelming insecurities about my body.

Confession: People tell me everyday that I look so good, but my brain tells me they only think that because I've actually lost weight this pregnancy, and it's their way of telling me I was so fat beforehand. Lesson: when it comes to our body image, we're all screwed up.

Kristil2014 · October 2014

I have struggled with my body image pretty much all my life. I was a chubby kid and hated every minute of it. In high school I thought I was still a chubby kid, but looking back at photos I wasn't at all.

As an adult I have struggled. I let myself gain a lot of weight and wasn't active for a long time. Last august I told myself I had to get healthy again and I did. I lost about 25 lbs and gained a lot of muscle and strength. I maintained my workout schedule through most of my pregnancy and I honestly felt amazing.

At 36 weeks I had to stop being as active as I was cause I felt like there just wasn't any room left in my torso. At 36 weeks was also when my blood pressure started to climb. And now I am on full on bed rest until LO arrives. I think if I could have kept on being active I could have prevented my bp from getting so out of control. Even if it was just keeping up with walking a few km a day, that could have made a difference.

I do however love my pregnant body. I will definitely miss the bump. I plan on getting active again as soon as I am cleared to. Not for the weight loss, but for how working out makes me feel. I love how I feel after a great work out! I am all for a thread to encourage each other PP.

runningmama14 · October 2014

I caught myself glancing at a wedding photo tonight thinking about how skinny I looked in it. My wedding was actually the heaviest I had ever been pre-pregnancy. Not usually a time I look back at and think "damn I looked fine!"

Whenever I voice concern to dh about what I will look like post baby, he says things that I know he means to be encouraging but really just make me even more paranoid. He just "knows that I'll get right back into being active, cause that is just me". Well that was me when I had free time. Now I'll have a baby and a full time job. Uggh.

silverwings72 · October 2014

Ok ladies! We will begin our support thread on 12/1. It doesn't have to be strictly diet based, but just on being healthy. I am all in!

aa98 · October 2014

Ed: posted too quickly. sorry mobile bumping and stupid swype is not working properly. Will repost in the morning

MrsTuna08 · October 2014

Yay for a healthy support group! I need this. I liked my body well enough prior to pregnancy; I was fit and active. Even though my weight gain has been within "the healthy range" I am still having a problem watching the scale go up and up. Some ladies feel extra sexy pregnant - I am not in this group. Despite knowing that I am creating a miracle and it's pretty awesome that my body is capable of this feat, watching/feeling my body get wrecked is a mind-bend. I'm terrified of what my body will look like post pregnancy. I'm prepared for the fact that things are going to be stretched out and saggy in the beginning, and my post-pregnancy body may look different than my pre-pregnancy body in the end, but that doesn't mean I want to accept it.

MissN06 · October 2014

I've done really well accepting my pregnancy body and all that goes with it. I'm worried about how I will do post pregnancy because based on the way my hips have widened and if they don't go back will mean needing to buy all new pants and possibly skirts. I really love my prepregnancy wardrobe and the fact that I'm going to have to adjust to the fact that non of my clothes fit me and I need to go up a size is going to be really hard.

I love the idea of a health group. I'm wanting to work on a healthier lifestyle for DH and I post pregnancy so that way DD will group up understanding a healthy lifestyle and hopefully a decent body image.

snarkylibrarian · October 2014

@silverwings72 LOVE the idea of a motivation thread, but like @howin23 said, the drive by "I am back to pre-baby weight" comments would be obnoxious...we see enough of that shit with celeb magazines, but we are a tight group, so maybe we could shut it down like @wildflower810 said.

I'm definitely looking for motivation to keep active and eat healthy, especially during the winter. Where I live, it's super cold, so my tendency is to hibernate and eat lots of carbs, which will probably be even more of the case when I'm stressed out/sleep deprived with a a newborn!

snarkylibrarian · October 2014

minibean16 said:

I love my pregnant body. This may be the best I've ever felt about myself. I actually wear tight maternity tops that show off my belly instead of the "layered until you see nothing but mounds of fabric" look. It makes me worry about post-partum when I am dealing with all the emotions AND go back to the overwhelming insecurities about my body. Confession: People tell me everyday that I look so good, but my brain tells me they only think that because I've actually lost weight this pregnancy, and it's their way of teslling me I was so fat beforehand. Lesson: when it comes to our body image, we're all screwed up.

OMG, so much this! I lost weight initially with this pregnancy, now I'm up 18lbs but as many will remind me "all belly", I'm thinner everywhere else. I am not ready to go back to avoiding the mirror, sucking in, and criticizing myself everytime I get naked (now with stretch marks YAY). I am going to try to proactive about being healthy and be kind to myself, but I also know post-partum is an emotionally vulnerable time. Having others support will be crucial!

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