Feeling a bjt down

[Icklepickle101]

In need of a few virtual hugs today.

I'm really struggling to enjoy being pregnant, havjng suffered with body image issues and eating disorders in my teens I knew it would never be easy but I never imagined I'd feel so down about my appearance in pregnancy.

Nothing fits in the right places, maternity clothes are still a bit too big (24 weeks) and normal clothes are depressingly too small. My legs and bum are covered in stretch marks, even my midwife said they were particularly bad and to use creams to try and stop the itching. My boss jokingly calls me fatty now my bump is sprouting and it's all making me fee a bit down.

It doesn't help my boyfriends sex drive has gone out the window because he doesn't like the thought of it while I'm pregnant but it's just making me feel more elephant like,

Just need a shoulder to cry on tonight

and for you OP. And a (( )) of course.

I too feel like a fat flobbery blob. This is my third baby so my bump is mahoosive already (23 weeks) and maternity clothes have fitted me for all eternity since about 10 weeks.

Look at it this way, you're past the half way mark, everything your body is doing it's doing because it's making a baby , an actual baby, how amazing is that?

Tell your DP that you're doing the baby baking for both of you so if he doesn't feel like sex that's one thing but he still needs to dish out the affection and foot rubs and make you feel special.

And as for your boss and his comments, well he can just fuck off

Oh Ickle. It must be tough with previous body image issues, it's tough enough without that. You will soon find that maternity clothes are not too big! I think everyone goes through that stage. Make sure you find out if you prefer under the bump or over the bump trousers though, that can make a big difference. I really liked maternity dresses, I'm normally a trouser girl but it was nice to feel a bit more feminine when my body was changing so much, so much so I've decided post-pg to start wearing dresses more.

The midwife was mean to comment on your marks. None of us can choose whether we have marks or not, but it so happens you've got them. They're not just any marks though, they are reminders that you created a person and that you sacrificed so much to give life to another human being. My marks are fading now but I still love to look at them and stroke them, they are a reminder to me of my time with my son in my womb. My pregnancy was far from ideal (multiple seizures throughout) so perhaps sounds a bit strange but now that he's (slightly) less dependent on me, and other people can care for him too, it's nice to remember a time when it was just me and him.

Your boss is completely out of order calling you fatty, even if it is a joke. I was called this by (male) friends and just rolled my eyes as they had no idea, but I think at work it's strange. Perhaps have a quiet word with him, let him know you know he meant no harm but ask him not to call you it again as it's not helpful.

Neither me nor DH wanted to have sex while I was pregnant - we both felt it would be weird with the baby there. This was not AT ALL anything to do with not fancying each other, it's just for us (and I suspect your boyfriend) it's like having sex in front of your kids. I know lots of people would laugh at this but personally for me, it's just too weird. There is also the worry that it will harm the baby. I read all about it, and I know, I know, that it totally does not harm the baby, but I just wouldn't be able to relax so it would be stressful for me - perhaps your boyfriend is worried about that too. Have you suggested just foreplay, nothing else? Perhaps speaking to him about it would help. Best of luck :)

Hi Ickle, sending big hugs your way. All thats been said in above PP's is very true.
Take note that you're not alone in feeling like this. To grow a baby is no easy feat and think a lot of people around us (friends, family, totally insensitive bosses) can forget that pregnancy can affect us mentally too.

I didn't buy maternity clothes as couldn't afford to keep buying new clothes as I grew, I stuck to maxi dresses and maxi skirts (loose waistbands) and tops. Last few weeks are tough as I'm struggling with tops to go over the bump - I really just live in leggings and long tops or short dresses (like a tunic).

For my stretch marks I've used palmer's lotion and oil most days which has helped with itching.

I would strongely advise having a word with your boss, if not face to face then send an email. It does not have to sound harsh, just a simple poliet email to tell him that you know he doesn't mean it maliciously but can he stop saying it as it's starting to affect you. The fact you send an email will tell him it's recorded as well so if things did turn nasty you'd have something to send to HR (not saying it will but it can make people think twice).

Keep head high, you're doing an amazing job