To feel so shit being pregnant?

[HangingBanana]

Did anyone else just feel utterly shit about themselves when pregnant?

I am so so happy to be having our baby, I really am. But I feel repulsed by myself at the moment. I feel so fat and ugly it makes me want to cry

I look at pictures of myself before pregnancy and I just think will I ever look like that again? Or of my friends who aren't pregnant and feel sort of (I don't know what the word is) ashamed that I look so huge.

I know logically that I'm being stupid. I am huge because I'm third trimester pregnant!! I know this. But I still can't help but feel really down about it and sort of embarrassed about the way I look right now.

I have never felt less attractive or 'nice' in my life.

I think part of it is because I lost a really good amount of weight before getting pregnant and was the slimmest I'd ever been and was feeling really good about myself and my body.

I don't even want DH to look at me, I don't want to have sex, not through not wanting it but because I feel so unsexy and just like I'd be horrible to look at.

Oh and fwiw, I'm not a vain person at all. I have had confidence issues my entire life. I was finally in a place where I felt good about myself before pregnancy which is why I'm struggling now I think.

Yep, felt absolutely terrible, depressed, gained so much weight. The second I delivered, my mood lifted.

Fast forward one year later, I'd lost all the weight and my body was pretty much back to normal, so don't worry. Just concentrate on getting to the end of your pregnancy. The next few months you won't care about yourself, only nurturing your tiny baby. And before you know it, you'll be able to look in the mirror and realise you don't look that bad, and your baby will be old enough that you can take some time out to sort your hair, put on a bit of make up and do some things for yourself.

Thank you smeerf. I'm glad I'm not the only one and to hear you were back to normal after a year is positive too!

I feel guilty like I should just feel great that I'm pregnant and having a baby. And I do. But I can't shake this horrible feeling like I've 'let myself go' does that make sense? Even though I know it's not the same because it's a natural process!

I'm almost glad of lockdown in a way because it means I've not really had to go anywhere to be seen by people.

I think it's very common, I know of at least one close friend who felt very similar. I can't bear to look at photos from my pregnancies.

Try not to be so hard on yourself - you're allowed to feel grateful for your baby and simultaneously mourn your temporary appearance change. This is only the first of many many things you'll feel "mum guilt" about!

Congratulations on your baby!

What does your DH think of your pregnant appearance? I'll bet he admires you and wonders at the changes as you are growing your baby. You can get back to your original weight after the birth if you really want to, but once you are holding that wonderful little baby you may find that your priorities have changed.

As pp have said,it's temporary and you'll soon bounce back.
Try to look at your body as doing a miraculous thing,growing and feeding,nurturing a new little soul,be proud of your body,of you!
When you are pregnant women do you think they are far or do you see a pregnant woman?probably the latter.
Make the most of this time to relax and look after yourself,be nice to yourself.
Baby will keep you very busy when he arrives.🌷

Yep I feel the same. Although only 10 weeks pregnant so not even at 3rd trimester stage yet.

Lost 3 stone this year, worked so hard watching what I ate, exercising even with the stress of lockdown, wfh and home schooling dd1 (5)

Atv10 weeks I are already put on 5lbs and although I promised myself I would stay as active as possible during this pregnancy I am exhausted by the evening and feel sick all the time!

@GladAllOver

Congratulations on your baby! What does your DH think of your pregnant appearance? I'll bet he admires you and wonders at the changes as you are growing your baby. You can get back to your original weight after the birth if you really want to, but once you are holding that wonderful little baby you may find that your priorities have changed.

DH is being very lovely, calling me beautiful etc...

But I can't bring myself to believe him. I just look at myself and think there is no way he could find this beautiful. I look atrocious. Not helped by the fact I haven't had a good night sleep in ages due to being so uncomfortable at night that I also have puffy eyes and bags!

I felt like that in my second trimester, but not my third. Once I hit the third trimester, I felt like the bump balanced the rest of me out a bit, so that I looked more pregnant than fat. Don't forget that your hormones will be going crazy right now, and that prenatal depression is a thing - definitely give yourself a break, and talk to someone if these feelings become too overwhelming.

I'm not too bothered by the weight gain (I actually feel weirdly attached to my huge bump ), but I'm sure my skin has aged 10 years...

Seriously, I have eye bags, crows feet, and proper lines in my forehead that appeared during my first trimester and have gotten progressively worse.

Don't feel alone. I'm sure most pregnant women are bothered by something changing appearance wise. It doesn't mean we love our babies any less