Body image

I’m 16 weeks pregnant (advanced maternal age) and having a really hard time with the way my body is changing. I lost 90 pounds last year before getting pregnant and I’ve always had a difficult relationship with body image standards. I was in a great place mentally and physically before I got pregnant. The first trimester was brutal on my body. Exhausted, in pain, lack of mobility and so much brain fog. Now I’m really struggling with finding things to wear, feeling comfortable or put together. Any and every advice welcome. I’ve been feeling so isolated and down on myself. 😔

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I am kinda the other end of the spectrum. I got pregnant at 19, gave birth at 20. Am now 22. So I feel like I’ve lost my chance at any youthful beauty. Before pregnancy I was a size 2. I was working so I could afford to do my hair, nails, eyebrows, tan all of the upkeep. I am now a SAHM and cannot afford any of this stuff. I am also now a size 8. When I got pregnant I had the worst symptoms of anyone I know. One of which was severe acne. The acne has lessened but not fully gone away. I have sooooo many stretch marks and my poor boobs went from a respectable 32D cup to lord knows what 💀 All of this to say that even though I struggle a lot with the way I look, I look at my daughter and I try to remind myself that it’s all for her. And that I’d give every ounce of beauty left in me for her. And when you meet your little one you will feel the same way I promise

I've had three babies all in my 30s. My third was born when I was 36. The body image (and discomfort) struggles are definitely real and experienced by a lot of mamas. It gets better, focus on taking care of yourself while pregnant and especially afterward - easier said than done, I certainly wish I had done better with that but I have found that even doing small things, like using my favorite scented soap in the shower, painting my nails, or walking even for short periods of time, helps. It also helped for me to think that I may not get this opportunity to grow a beautiful little human being again, and they have been sooo worth it!

I struggled with body image, especially the first half of my pregnancy (before the belly actually became a belly). I’ve always put a lot of pressure on myself physically, so it was very difficult to accept my body changing and changing so quickly. I found it helpful to do positive affirmations and remind myself why my body was changing. Try and find a few staple items that you feel good in, leggings, dresses, or shirts with an empire waist, etc. Your body is truly amazing! You are building another human from scratch, you’re kind of a bad ass 😎