Feel stuck

[Scaredmomtobe]

I am 5 months pregnant (first baby) and I’d love to go to sleep and wake up after the baby is born.

I have gained so much weight but no babe bump, don’t fit into my clothes or don’t like how they look, make up excuses to not leave the house, avoid mirrors, started working out again when I have the energy but don’t see the point since I won’t see any progress/results. I feel miserable and worthless. I just want to hide until baby comes and I can start working out and begin losing the weight. I feel bad for my husband (who is extremely supportive and amazing) for being stuck with a wife like me during this time. Every other pregnant woman I know just grows in her belly and not all over. I’m so embarrassed.

How can I stop these thoughts? How can I get my confidence back to leave the house? Need help getting thru the next five months.

Remember that your body is doing something amazing! I’m used to being slim
and pregnancy has totally changed my body so far and I’m 33 weeks. It’s my first baby too. I’ve felt that it doesn’t help that maternity clothes are harder to come by unless online but I’ve found H&M and New Look have some affordable and pretty things. I’ve gone for midi dresses and capped sleeves and tie waist clothes or v necks that are more flattering. You won’t feel or look like this forever and you’re going to have a gorgeous little baby at the end of it.

I’ve enjoyed doing the HASFIT Mama workouts on YouTube - you have to buy the diary which has links to the workouts and it’s about £28. It is broken down week by week of your pregnancy and includes cardio, strength and mobility exercises which are short and not too demanding but make you feel like you’re doing something to maintain your strength and health. Think of your workouts as an investment in your health rather than for weight loss. If you keep your muscles working it will help to prevent aches and pains and being active will make you feel better. A lot of weight will be fluid retention as well and that will go away.

Have you spoken to your husband about how you feel? I think that might be a good first step for you. I hope you feel better soon. It’s not easy but it’ll be totally worth it! ❤️

I felt this way for awhile but learning to dress my new body in a way that flatters me has made all the difference. I find Shein good for inexpensive maternity clothes.

Thanks so much for your response. Very helpful. I’ll take a look at the YouTube videos. I have spoken to my husband about it but he’s at a loss of words other than “you’re pregnant babe!”, “I think you’re beautiful”, etc. I am very lucky to have him as a husband. Just need to stop being so hard on myself but finding it difficult. You’re right about needing to keep my muscles moving. Thanks again for your response.

Your husband sounds very supportive! I read recently that pregnancy is like running a marathon a day and one of the most physically demanding things a human being can do, so don’t be so hard on yourself. Glad to help 😊look after yourself! ❤️

I’m sorry you are feeling this way OP, I’m similar in that I’ve always been very conscious about my weight/body and I’m 20 weeks and starting to show and things are getting tight - I just don’t feel like me.

I’ve found eating high protein and lots of fruit and veg has really helped my mood, and I was feeling low because I wasn’t getting enough in my body in terms of ‘good food’. I was so nauseous in the first 14-16 weeks I lived off toast and not much else - now I’m managing eggs, youghurt, loads of fruit/veggies, cheese/chicken etc and it’s definitely helped give me a boost.

Could you do any gentle exercises like going for a walk either nice and early or later in the evening with hubby if you feel self conscious leaving? What about joining an online pregnancy yoga class that you can zoom in on? Or follow the class in your own time?

Your body is doing a wonderful thing growing an actual human - please don’t put pressure on yourself to look good, or feel like you do! Look after yourself with good food, lots of water and any gentle exercise you can cope with. X

Thanks so much for your response! The good food comment is great advice. I do need to start eating better and hopefully that’ll help boost the positive thoughts and feelings.

I'd love to fall asleep and wake up with a husband as supportive as yours!!

Congrats on being pregnant!

I've had two babies, the first time I gained a lot of weight in my third trimester, the second time I was really careful what I ate and put on only a small amount of weight. It is absolutely weird watching your body become HUGE but remember you are now two people, more blood volume and all that. Some people do seem to just get really big and I used to envy my friends with their oh-so-cute compact bumps, whereas as I was edging through doorways sideways and forgetting what my feet looked like as I couldnt see them any more.

Sometimes the weight is water too, so don't panic too much.

Personally other than being careful from now on, I think it isn't a good idea to try and lose weight unless you are very high BMI or obese.

When the baby arrives try and get in a habit of going for a walk or run every day - I started walking at Day 6 with baby 2 (yes, it was very hard wok as it was freezing cold January but I had to do the school run twice a day starting day 9 and it was 4.2 miles each day, argh) - I'm really grateful now that I had to take exercise as I lost loads of weight (breast feeding helps too).

It's worth being huge to have a baby, there is no better reason to wreck your figure for a while.