Feeling self conscious while pregnant

[Ivyleaf72]

Hi ladies,

I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice about feeling self conscious while pregnant at a younger age, or any age! This is my first baby, I'm 21 and currently 25 weeks along, so my bump is really showing now. I've always felt I look younger than I am, so find it difficult not to be paranoid about people staring or judging when I leave the house. I'm now finding it increasingly difficult to go outside and it's really beginning to get me down. My partner and I are incredibly happy to be having a baby, I almost feel guilty that I feel embarrassed to be seen pregnant, which is upsetting for both me and him. Has anyone else experienced this?

I felt the same when I was pregnant with my 1st.
I was 21 ... but now I'm pregnant with my 2nd - people still look. They're not looking and judging - it's all in your head. They're looking because people like a pregnant belly - more people now speak to me about my pregnancy as I'm older now; but honestly; it's in your head about people judging - they're probably looking wondering how far along you are / wondering if you're having a girl or a boy - that's the normal questions I'm getting asked currently.

Ignore everyone else; you'll never get this time back being pregnant; go out, enjoy it!

Hey - I think perhaps some self consciousness is natural. I'm 20 weeks and its getting really obvious that I'm pregnant. I'm absolutely over the moon to be expecting but I feel like people do a double look at me now like 'is she?' and alongside this I'm conscious that I'm overall a bit fatter than I was 20 weeks ago... my weight is something that has been a sore point for me all my life, I've yoyo'd and had ED's so its a real thing for me. Its not at the point where I don't want to leave the house and I know that of course you get larger during pregnancy but its an existing insecurity that is getting a bit worse the further along I get. Not sure I have any advice for you but I am trying to not let something that is natural and in my head ruin this special time for me.

I'm weirdly self conscious this time round. It's my 3rd and I'm in my late 30s! With the first 2 I couldn't wait for a bump and loved it but with this one I'm still wearing baggy tops.

I'm not sure exactly what's causing it but wondered if it's slightly part of coming out of lockdown and seeing people, it all feels like more of a big deal, and if your body is visibly different it feels like an even bigger deal? Maybe?!

Hi OP,
I think it’s just one of those annoying things no matter what your age. People love to stare at pregnant women and it’s very rude but they’re not necessarily judging.
The only advice I have is to embrace it. People are staring but so what? You’re happy to be having a baby, this baby is loved and will be very well looked after. People can stare or judge if they like but be proud of your bump! They don’t know you.

I feel like this too! It’s so weird as it’s number 2 and I don’t remember feeling like this last time. I think though in my first pregnancy I was going out to work every day, and just carried on with my routine so I had less time to me self conscious- also I was walking around the city were it’s busier anyway so I felt like I blended into the crowd.

No I’m working from home all the time and if I go out for a walk or whatever there are fewer people about, so I feel much more conspicuous! Glad it’s not just me.

I'm expecting no 4 and am really self concicious this time. I'm 18 weeks with quite a bump already. I find I suck my stomach in or cover it up with something.

I hate people looking and commenting. Do what you feel comfortable doing and wearing x

Thank you all so much for your replies, I feel very encouraged ☺️. I even went out for a walk today! It’s reassuring to hear that it’s not just me.