I look like rubbish....

[mandler]

I have just taken a long, hard look at myself for the first time in weeks and it doesn't look good. I am nearly 12 weeks with first pg. None of my clothes fit me any more, no amount of make up will cover the exhaustion and I am wearing my 'fat day' wardrobe which is black and horrible! I am sure it is to early for this extra weight to be baby! Please help, tips, advice on how to make myself look human again most welcome. Believe me I am not a vain person but even I can see that this is bad. And yes feeling particularly hormonal today

[dyzzidi]

Get yourself to Asda the have a really cheap bright maternity range (you will have to buy some sooner or later). Slap on a facemask whilst running a bath an dive into some trashy mags. optional cup of tea.

i always felt ergghhh about 3/4 months pg and found that maternity pyjamas were the comfiest things ever.

[AnnabelCaramel]

It's the worst time. You look and feel tired/ill, you may not have told people and the whole 'blooming' thing seems a myth. I didn't enjoy this bit much at all. Try and buy a really nice outfit, one that will grow with you pregnancy and, if you can, go and get some sleep! It does get better.

[Aloha]

I gained a lot of weight right from the start with both babies. Some of us just do! Get a good haircut and colour and a manicure and pedicure to lift your spirits, and go and buy some cute maternity clothes. Top Shop is excellent. Just a few pieces will make you look and feel so much nicer.

[dyzzidi]

Oh and i rang the local college and went to their training salon for massages. manicure pedicures etc whenever \I got chance. Full body massage for £8.00. worth a go if there is one local to you.

I found it important to have some time to myself as i had an awful pregnancy wiht one problem after another

[tassis]

I think people who wear proper mat clothes rather than just bigger sizes of normal clothes generally look less fat and more pregnant!

Lots of nice cheap stuff on ebay...

[WinkyWinkola]

Don't be so hard on yourself. There's an awful lot going on in the first trimester and you're bound to feel very wobbly.

I've got one son and I'm 38 weeks pg and I struggle to look anything other than just got out of bed. But I've found I can manage to always make sure my hair is brushed and my teeth and hands are clean. And just a quick coat of mascara. I just do those most days and I at least know I look respectable and don't smell! I often just don't have time for anymore.

[LiliAnjelika]

I am so fat that the checkout woman in Asda asked me my due date - when I was 5 weeks pregnant. By now (8 weeks later) I look repugnant. The hairs on my legs are so long I look like a Yeti. (All day nausea means I feel too sick to bend down and shave limbs...)Ditto toenails. THink T Rex. Managed to chop at them a little, in between waves of nausea, with dp's outsized nail scissors cos I couldn't find mine, but the final look is not good. THe other day I managed to buy a black and pink sexy French knickers from Tesco (Cherokkee, check it out girls) and my dp just laughed. I give up.

[mandler]

Oh LilliA - pmsl!! I did all the defuzzing on sunday, facemask the works and just broke out in an all over sensitive skin rash! Thanks everyone for your tips - I will hang on in there and treat myself to some nice mat clothes

[Rantum]

The first and the last trimester are worst for general appearance IME. So you will get some respite during the 2nd trimester with any luck. I would just say take care of yourself and don't worry about your appearaance too much - it will not last forever! My DS is 2 now and I look pretty much the same as pre-pregnancy (except for a few extra age/exhaustion induced wrinkles) all the weird swelling/strange complexion stuff really does not last forever. And during the 2nd trimester everyone will tell you that you look really good with any luck!

[Bodkin]

Get some of that stick blusher (like a lipstick but much bigger) and apply liberally! Takes a nano second to put on - make sure you blend in otherwise you'll look like Aunt Sally, but it got me through those very pasty days back in Jan/Feb. Everyone said I looked blooming - hah - I fooled them!

[SSShakeTheChi]

I bet you have nice big boobs though and your hair gets lovely and thick in pregnancy. Get a nice comfortable pair of maternity trousers with stretch inset for the tummy (you'll need them later but you can start wearing them now) and two tops to wear with them in colours that REALLY suit you. Go on, splash out on something nice.

You can do your nails too. No reason why they shouldn't like nice

[Pennypops]

Oh Mandler, my heart goes out to you because I spend many days feeling exactly the same. I am 17+2 and all of a sudden have got very fat. I have bought a couple of pairs of those lovely stretchy jersey trousers from Blooming Marvellous which I live in. I have also bought a few cheap and cheery smocks and dresses from New Look to go with said trousers - at £15 a pop it doesn't matter too much if you outgrow them after a few months.

Getting your hair cut and coloured works wonders as well.