struggling with the physical changes

[elpreggo27]

I am 18 weeks PG tomorrow. I have always had a bad relationship with body image and if I put weight on it feels like the world has ended (I am working with a counsellor on this and other issues). Obviously now I'm PG weight gain is unavoidable, and I am noticing it in my face, thighs and belly of course. Has anyone else been in a similar situation and found a way to be more at peace with the physical changes? I'm having a hard time with this pregnancy and am not yet at the 'but it's all worth it for my baby' stage yet.

It sounds like you're struggling in general at the moment (I saw your last post).

There's really not much you can do about sickness... you can't help hormones and the changes in your body.

When I struggled with sickness, I tried to curve my mindset into a positive thing. Yes I was being sick all the time and it was super hard... but it's was also a sign my hormones are doing their thing and my baby was healthy. When I had my miscarriage, I had no sickness or anything. Each time I threw up, I reminded myself how lucky I am to be pregnant and how thousands of people would love to be in my position.

Looking at the positives can really turn things around. My morning sickness lasted until 20 weeks and then I was fine and started to enjoy pregnancy more.

I really hope you feel better in yourself soon and manage to see the wonderful experience you have a head of you. Good luck 

Just to clarify on my post above, I had a miscarriage and then a healthy pregnancy. The hormones and sickness I mention is all in relation to my healthy pregnancy. Just wanted to be clear so I didn't panic you or anything.

Have you tried looking at postnatal workouts? I've found some postnatal yoga I want to do and will be manageable at home. Maybe get some quick, easy and healthy recipes written down too. Obviously with a newborn it will be difficult to focus on yourself much but just having a couple of baby weight loss plans in place can help to make you feel that these changes really are just temporary.

I worried so much about this. I struggled with my weight most of my adult life but over the past 8 years have managed to keep my weight at a sustainable size 10. I’m not mega thin but a good weight. I really thought pregnancy would see me back up tons size 16, depressed and at a low ebb. However by 6 weeks post partum I was back to normal. It just fell off. I only partially breast fed so this wasn’t the reason I do t think. So much weight gain is just fluid that it comes off fast. Plus post partum I’ve been walking miles and miles each day with the pram donut disappears. Also i recommend doing pregnancy exercises as appropriate. I did strengthening yoga videos every day. This really helped me feel like I was in control. I actually think pregnancy improved my diet as I was eating more substantial meals and less snacks. I guess what I’m saying is you may feel big now but don’t assume this means you will be huge after birth. Apart from s floppy tummy when I sit down I’m no different.

I am in the same boat as you- 20 weeks this week and feeling disgusting. I've struggled with weight, have had a mild form of bulimia (self-diagnosed, so forgive me if it's not a thing!) since I was a teen and now I can't get over how fat I'm getting. I know, I know it's supposedly all the liquid and stuff, but I wasn't prepared for my bum and legs getting bigger as well.

I also don't think it helps that I think maternity clothes are vile. It seems that once we hit pregnancy us women have to turn into our mothers with wrap dresses, dungarees, and horizontal lines.

The only thing that's helped me so far is finding nice clothes to wear or repurposing bigger sizes and getting "dolled up" pretty much every day. It may be superficial, but I don't care.

Sorry I can't be of more help, but I can totally relate. If you come up with anything please let me know!!

I struggle hugely with body image too - glad to hear you're getting support to deal with this.

I'm currently 38 weeks with my second baby. Of course I'm big, and yes you can see it in my face and bum and...everywhere! BUT, I am very obviously heavily pregnant. There is a very, very valid reason for the weight gain. I haven't lost control or become irreparably unattractive! Plus, in know from my first baby that the weight will shift. First time around I returned to a weight/shape I was happy with fairly quickly (I breastfed exclusively, and carried on for 18 months, which I believe helped).

I got pregnant again very quickly and am ashamed to say my biggest worry was getting big and horrendous again. But I've since gained perspective. My pregnancy hasn't been straightforward and my main focus is having a healthy little boy. I'm not saying you should forget your very real worries and upset, but that I understand sometimes it can feel like the biggest, almost all-consuming issue, and it's taken some scary news and truly worrying times to make me realise it's a minor, temporary issue that can and will pass.

Best of luck OP.

I can't help, but I can relate. My arms, thighs and face are all chubby now. I don't feel myself at all and can't find any clothes I feel happy in. I'm usually a size 8 and enjoy wearing fashionable clothes so despite being delighted about the pregnancy Judy don't feel myself and worry about how my body and self esteem will be after giving birth.

thanks everyone, I'm glad I'm not alone in this tricky time!