33 weeks today with a baby girl and having a bit of a meltdown. I've been stressing since the beginning about not being attractive to my husband after the pregnancy, and I've always placed a bit too much importance on physical appearance and what other people think of me. I turn 30 in a couple of weeks on top of everything, and last night a coworker told me that baby girls steal your beauty while everyone talked about how having children ruins your life. I know all of this is stupid to believe let alone waste the time to listen to, but it's all still making me pretty low. Also noticed a large amount of "mommy hate" on facebook recently echoing these same stupid sentiments toward child bearing (I mean seriously, you wouldn't be around right now to say these heartless things if not for people wanting to procreate). Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated from people I know would understand what I'm going through.
Re: "Baby girls steal your beauty" and other stupid things I shouldn't listen to
I understand, though. I have pretty severe body image issues and since I've been pregnant or recovering from being pregnant for the last four years running (and lost 100lbs right before the first pregnancy) my body has been through the ringer. I have needed hubby to reassure me a lot that I am still attractive to him and desirable. The good news is you do get your body back after the baby comes - just takes some time and patience.
What was the hardest for me was actually the post partum shed. I have PCOS which causes thinning hair so when I'm pregnant I enjoy having a "normal" amount of hair. And then three months after I deliver it falls out in clumps. So horrible and depressing. But - it stops and it grows back and I promise you aren't a hormonal freak of nature forever!!!
We all go through some fears about our bodies bouncing back (will I be the same, will anything be the same, will my husband still want me) but the bottom line is our SOs love us for who we are (and who we become as mothers to their children) and we DO eventually get our bodies and lives back
And don't let anyone tell you little girls steal your beauty - even if you feel like an elephant seal (which about sums up how I'm feeling at 34 weeks with #3) remember you are still beautiful and you are the perfect vessel to be creating something as wonderous and precious as your baby
Jamie
It's hard to feel pretty when you are huge and getting huger! My hubby has always been lighter then me, but now he's training for an ultra marathon and our weight gap is getting bigger and this really bothered me. He offered to eat more ice cream!
I try to sometimes do my hair and put on makeup and wear something nice to make myself feel better! Maybe a date night before the baby comes can help!
What really made me feel good was my baby shower this past weekend. I bought a dress and put some energy into my hair and make-up. It made me feel good, and I got a lot of nice feedback from my friends, which made me feel even better.
Don't listen to what stupid people say. I am sure you are more beautiful than you realize in your pregnant state, and your little girl isn't "stealing" anything from you. Get a new dress, or lipstick, or whatever makes you feel good and try to remember that you are still you in there and not just a baby carrying vessel. You will get back to being yourself soon.
It always makes me nervous to step on the scale and see the biggest number I've ever seen or to wonder if I'll end up with stretch marks and things like that, but generally I've enjoyed my big round belly and I feel beautiful most days because I'm making my baby. I think I'll feel it more after she's born and the (perceived) pressure is on to look good again. But I've also been lucky to have a DH that tells me I'm beautiful all the time, even if he does lovingly snicker as my belly gets bigger and bigger.
Don't listen to the haters! We only get to experience pregnancy so many times in our lives, if we're lucky, so I think we should try to embrace the good and bad that comes with being able to create a human being.
Pregnancy is a beautiful thing, and you're a beautiful person.
You're carrying and growing a human being inside you and it's so incredibly amazing!
Chin up mama :x
DS2: EDD- 09.08.17
Don't listen to those silly people. Take nothing personally, it's so rarely about you anyway! You're doing great, this will be the best, hardest, sweetest thing you've ever witnessed.
I almost forgot to add: I have lots of gfs who are so cute and have beautiful mothers! You can definitely see where they get it from!
wow.... None of this applies to me. Nor any other women I know or knew with girls. Crazy bunk..