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Body confidence plummeting

1 reply

bells2810 · 05/08/2022 08:49

I am currently almost at the end of my first trimester and I am so so so happy to be expecting, I’ve always wanted to be a mum and can’t wait to meet our little one. I have struggled a bit during the first trimester in terms of sickness and physical symptoms, but my self confidence and body image has absolutely plummeted and I feel awful about myself.

Since I got pregnant I’ve broken out in horrendous cystic hormonal acne all over my chin, jaw and neck. My boobs have grown about 2 cup sizes in 2 months (I’ve always had small boobs and never had an issue with this), I feel like my torso has got really broad all of a sudden and I feel really uncomfortable in all of my clothes. I hate seeing myself in my underwear or when I’m about to get in the shower. My skin and hair are always oily despite me washing my hair every other day (I don’t want to over wash it) and dry shampooing on no-wash days, I’ve bought new skincare and been taking supplements to try and clear up my skin, I just feel like I always look dirty and exhausted. I don’t want to waste loads of money on buying new clothes - I know I’ll probably have to get at least some maternity jeans and leggings but hoping I can manage in big jumpers once we get to autumn/winter - and am due to go on holiday in a few weeks and I’m just dreading being in a swimsuit/shorts etc.

My partner is very supportive and says he loves me no matter what I look like but I just feel like I always look awful no matter what I do. My body confidence hasn’t been this low since I was at school. I’m so grateful to be pregnant and wouldn’t change it for the world but I am struggling to come to terms with my changing body and feel like I’m definitely not one of these women who gets the maternity glow and looks amazing pregnant!

I just wondered if anyone else is maybe in the same boat or has been and has any tips for feeling better? Just feeling very rubbish about myself at the moment.

OP posts:
CowPalace · 05/08/2022 08:57

I think you need to cut yourself some slack and dwell on the fact your body, while it feels deeply odd, is doing something mind-blowing in growing an entire other human being — it will be easier to recognise this when you’re further along , too. My entire first trimester was spent throwing up and feeling I was so exhausted I might die, while looking like shit (skeletal, dead-eyed, lank-haired), so I totally sympathise, but I did actually feel pretty good in later pregnancy — my hair (which has always been an uncontrollable pain) went all bouncy and glossy and I got the eye from men on the street. (Which I thought was pretty weird, but some guys clearly go for pregnant women).

in many ways, in my experience, this is the worst part — I certainly felt better as the pregnancy progressed, and when I was more aware of my baby as a real little person. Chin up. It’s a total mind-fuck, but it’s temporary. And also interesting.

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