Feeling rubbish about appearance.

[alita7]

So I'm 13+4 and very happy to be pregnant. However, I look horrendous and it's seriously getting me down.

I have the spottiest chin, back and chest going and nothing seems to be helping much- part of the problem is when the spots go they turn into little red marks (like scars) which take ages to fade so it looks like I have lots even when it's only a few at a time.

I've obviously gained weight and although I think I have an obvious mini bump, strangers and those who don't know yet probably think I'm just getting fat...

My hayfever is much worse than normal (probably the suppressed immune system) so my nose is always red and dry and somehow my eyes have reacted and my eye lids have gone all red and flaky too (I don't use eye shadow so can't be that).

I haven't felt comfortable with dying my hair and so my roots look awful.

My eczema is much worse than normal...so I can't shave my legs as they're covered in itchy and scabby patches.

I have hairy arms -.- and can't use the hair removal cream I normally use because of the eczema!!

Sorry just needed to vent as I just want to hibernate until at least my skin clears up a bit!

I think your feelings are completely normal. It gets a bit easier when you can tell people and it's more obviously a bump.

Be kind to yourself. And read up on hair dye - I think it's completely safe.

Aw, hang on in there. I'm 16 weeks tomorrow and my awful spotty skin started clearing up around the 13/14 week stage. My hayfever also got really bad and seems to have gone away fingers crossed. Can you treat yourself to a nice face pack or something like that?

I'm kinda happy to look fat rather than pg at this stage but it's weird how different my body looks, it's a big adjustment. Just do what you can you keep some part of yourself "nice" and you'll feel blooming before too long. x

It's awful but it's really common to get a spotty chin in your first trimester, it should clear up soon though. I get left with the red marks as well, I've found just leaving the spots be and not picking them to be the best thing. Not nice to walk around with a big spot on your chin but it's better than the scarring. Have you tried any spot sticks to try and reduce them quicker? Otherwise drink plenty of water and when they have cleared up a little dab of bio oil helps, not too much too often though.

Totally fine to have a good rant, it doesn't half make you feel better sometimes to get it all out. Is there anything that would make you feel a bit better about yourself? Maybe start getting some new maternity bits or some fancy make up?

my spotty skin is the same as you & im now 31wks. just have had to wear higher neckline clothes & keep skincare as simple as poss to stop more flare ups, no amount of acne treatments made a difference, now I use huggies pure wipes(like cotton wool& water). my sinuses are awful too, ive been snoring my head off since bfp as I've had to sleep with mouth open. dont know how my oh puts up with it lol. I used ammonia free hairdye in the first 12wks without any bother, nhs site says colouring is safe but you could get highlights to break up growth line of roots maybe if you're really worried abt dye touching your scalp. hopefully you are one of the lucky ones that will get past this stage & get your glow! :) xo