Struggling with body changes

[Ls271082]

Hi

I'm 11+4 with 1st baby and all of a sudden I'm feel massive, I've always had a flat stomach but its sticking out loads! Not like a bump tho just really round :( have I started to show yet or will it go down? I really want this baby just hate feeling so fat and out of control. I've always been on a diet so finding this really hard to enjoy and except.

L x

It's quite a shock to see and feel your body changing. But you are growing a baby, I can't offer any more meaningful than that. There are some great mumsnetters who will be along to offer better advice than me. All I can say is that I put on 4 stone when pg with DD1 - and she was the best thing that happened to me (I lost the weight soon enough) try not to stress.

Hi there, I totally understand how you feel! I'm 7 weeks in to my first pregnancy and totally obsessed with gaining weight and losing control of my body etc, you're definitely not alone! I'm really early in my pregnancy but I've been advised by other mums who remained in great shape to eat really healthily and don't eat for two!! In fact you don't even need to increase your calorie intake yet (and when you do it's by some tiny amount like 300 per day), walk every day and exercise as much as you can, I'm trying to get to the gym 3 times a week. I really think the more you do to try and stay in great shape the more positive you will feel and the quicker you'll get back in shape afterwards. Good luck! x

I'm with you on this! I'm 8+5 weeks and I used to exercise 5-6 days a week plus took the dog for long walks, but with my nausea I haven't been able to exercise for 2 weeks now and the only thing that helps with the nausea is to keep eating - not a good mix!

I'm trying to take the dog out but can't go far as the fresh air makes me feel sick!

I'm just hoping the nausea subsides soon so I can start some gentle exercising again. I hate feeling my body wobble!

...forgot to add, what's making it worse at the moment is that barely anyone knows I'm pregnant and I just imagine everyone's saying how I've let myself go! It will be easier once they all know...!

I am 17 weeks with a much-wanted and planned baby, but cringe inwardly now people are saying I am starting to show! It is like they have permission to talk about my body and I hate it.

I realise it's going to get worse as I get bigger but I don't like the comments. Before I was pregnant nobody would have thought it appropriate to point out my belly sticking out, why is it now?

I haven't put on any weight yet, but my body has changed, I just don't want it pointing out to me.

I think it's natural to feel the loss of control over your body, particularly if you are someone who dieted and watched how they looked a lot. However, your body isn't just supporting you anymore, it's also growing a whole other human being -it's really incredible! Focus on what is going on inside of you, think about all of the amazing things that your body is currently doing, and try to embrace the changes that are happening as they are part of creating a life.

Your stomach at the moment could be just bloating, or it could be showing. Either way, if you can afford it think about getting a top or two which are comfortable and look lovely on you now - flatter your changing shape and enjoy it, your body is amazing. Personally, I love the wrap tops from mamanjojobebe - they fit you at any stage of pregnancy, are really comfy, and look great.

Enjoy your pregnancy honey, and respect your body for what it is doing, because it is amazing.

I found this bit of my first pregnancy weird as you have put on weight but there's no bump yet, and it just feels like you're a bit fat and bloated. There is a lot of bloating in the first trimester which will get better in the second, so you may well shrink a bit again before getting a proper bump. But, it does get better, especially as you get a bit further on and get a proper bump, though that might not be for a few weeks yet if this is your first pregnancy.

One thing that helped me was proper maternity clothes that fitted well, rather than trying to disguise my expanding tummy under baggy clothes.

Hi L - I totally understand how you feel. I found it really hard when I got to about 16 weeks and realised that I had fat in places that I never had fat before - but 4 weeks on and everything has evened out and I feel much better about it all.

It is very difficult, especially as we live in such a body-conscious world where we are all under huge pressure to look slim or else. I would second the comments above about wearing things that fit nicely - although I managed to disguise my growing belly under tops that gather a bit rather than my usual tight-fitting long-sleeve t-shirts etc for work.

At 11 weeks, it is most likely to be bloating, and it will come and go. Even at 20 weeks, I get the occasional bloaty day, but mainly it is now an emerging bump.

Just be good to yourself and remember that the way your body changes is not permanent - you can get back to the figure you had before if you want to, plus you'll have your baby as the best reward ever.

Keep smiling.