:( feeling down about my body

[justhayley]

Hiya I'm 28 weeks tomorrow and am feeling really insecure & low about my body today. Its not my bump, thats lovely, but my thighs and bum are getting bigger by the day! My weight gain has been minimal so far but during the last week & a half iv put on lots very quickly and am starting to have a bit of a freak out about my body not going back to normal after birth. I think I have stretch marks coming as well - I'm dark skinned so they are very faint but I have a feeling in a week they will be everywhere :(
The worst thing is my skin, I'm covered in red rashes & severe excema and little cuts where iv scratched in the night. I'm soooo itchy I'm tearing my skin off nothing is working. I was the same around 14-16 weeks found a cream that worked and have been fine since, but now its back worse than ever and nothing is working! I have an appointment with the doctor & midwife on Tuesday so hopefully one of them can sort it out.
My DPs in the forces & I'm seeing him tomorrow - first time in weeks and I know it's silly but im dreading him seeing my body - feel super unattractive and gross!

I want to love my pregnant body - any tips on feeling better about it?

Hayley xx

Aww you poor thing,i haven't had it myself but i know people who suffer from excema normally and found pregnancy made it a bit worse, but just bear in mind its only for a limited amount of time, it will get better and hopefully your doctor will suggest something that can help too.

your partner will be so happy to see you the last thing on his mind is going to be checking your body for stretch marks, he'll be so pleased to see the little bump that he helped create so try not to be too self conscious although i know its hard. I have to keep telling myself im not fat im pregnant, like my own little mantra, id concentrate on making yourself comfortable and relaxed, when were comfy and relaxed were naturally at our happiest, so take a long soak, fix up your hair and make up and find something you feel lovely in and go see your partner who hasnt seen you for weeks! x

thank you that felt like a big cuddle! I'm really looking forward to seeing DP so thinking polo neck then lights off lol, and will deff be using your mantra! the rashes are the ugliest part, but I guess I'm lucky my face is clear so will have to make the best of that!

Thanks again xx

justhayley I had bad red itchy blotches on my legs too. My GP gave me a prescription for Diprobase, which is basically paraffin. It has stopped the itching and my skin is healing now. Take whatever your GP will give you. None of the cosmetic/spa products did any good for me.

Hi, my dh is in the forces too. I bet your dp won't even notice the things your worrying about he'll just be looking forward to seeing you.

I'm 31 weeks with ds2. I haven't put on as much weight yet as I did with ds1 (i ate for 4 first time around) but I can tell over the past few weeks that im starting to put weight on all over. I've just had to reluctantly order some new maternity jeans as the ones I have are feeling a bit snug.

Treat yourself to something nice to cheer yourself up. I've had my hair done and going to treat myself to a new bag and maybe a manicure. It's too depressing shopping for clothes and shoes at the mo

My tip is to wait until your DH sees you and mop up all the praise :)

Its so easy to feel a bit bleurgh with all the changes going on. Im also 27 weeks an feeling a sudden weight gain going on. I wouldnt worry about OH, he will just be amazed by that gorgeous bump you are growing him. Best bet is to make some tlc time for yourself. New hair cut, new lip gloss, whatever gives you that little boost.

I haven't put much weight on but as I was a chubber to start with the 6 pounds I have gained (at 32 weeks) aren't sitting very well at all! However my DP can only see a beautiful pregnant lady so don't worry about yours reacting negatively - he'll think the bump is the cutest thing ever. I've always had a lot of skin allergies and rashes and have been using the Aveeno range for a few years now and it really helps to calm the itching. Its colloidal oatmeal which comes in a whole range of products - you can pick it up in Boots or Superdrug. Not expensive so worth a try and not teh end of the world if it doessn't work for you - good luck!

Bio oil is excellent for helping to prevent stretch marks, maybe give that a try? I don't wish to alarm you but you should make an appointment with gp ASAP about the itching, as extreme itching in pregnancy can be a sign of a condition in pregnancy called obstetric cholastasis, hope I have spelt that right, so please don't worry ( as itching is also very normal during pregnancy) bur worth getting checked out sooner rather than later.

Hope you start to feel better soon

Thanks all
I have an appointment tomorrow morning with my GP about the itching so hopefully that can be sorted out while I still have a bit of skin! Iv always used Aveeno for eczema and it's usually great, but isn't doing anything for this .

DP wise had a lovely weekend & forgot about how yucky I was feeling as soon as I saw him - think a new top & mascara helped plus getting lots of kisses on my bump

Still feeling mega uncomfortable with the itching and hate seeing my body with rashes everywhere but not feeling low about it now!

Thank you all for your posts - you really cheered me up. Xxx