Pregnancy and Body image

[TRex57128]

I am having trouble getting pregnant with my first. But I worry about what a pregnancy will do to my body. Will I feel horn*y and sexy after having a baby ( not directly after obviously 😅) .

Sorry I'm not trying to shock anyone, it's a genuine question that doesn't seem to be talked about from what I can see.

I don't think anyone should feel bad about their body and post baby bodies should be more celebrated as it really is a miracle....which you appreciate more when you can't get pregnant.

I'm 41 and have been trying for 3 years and nothing has happened. Me and partner have been fertility tested and we're fine. They have prescribed me clomid for the next 6 months.

I've always been reasonable slim and it's been helpful for me to feel ok about myself as I have low self esteem. I don't find it easy to lose weight through diets so if I put on baby weight I think I will struggle to lose it.

So it might seem like an insignificant question in the face of not being able to have a baby...but for lots of reasons that would take to long to explain fully I would like to know other people's experiences of their body image after pregnancy. Weight gain, stretch marks, changes with vagina? Changes or not in sex life, were you still h*rny, did you feel sexy... if we're allowed to talk about all that on here.

And if you're like me and don't get on well with diets did you find a way to lose the weight?

I feel like I'm going to get censored because of the sex questions but these are all genuine questions.

Thanks in advance :)

I'm 28 weeks pregnant with my first. We had sex for the first time since conception the other day. I was a slim size 8/10 and I'm struggling with body image. I don't have any stretch marks yet but it's the one thing I'm dreading. I know I can loose the weight after as I had lost about 2 stone the year before but the stretch marks scare me

Thanks for your reply cactijones. Ya it's weird I feel like no one talks about the changes physical/emotional/mental and how it makes them feel. I definitely want us to empower each other to feel good about our bodies.....but with the reality that we don't always feel great about our bodies no matter what shape or size we are.

For me no changes in sex life, two children later, we had sex throughout pregnancy and within a couple of weeks with both… all good there.
No stretch marks (I’ve been lucky there!)
Weight gain none with my 1st,2nd is harder - I was slim 6/8 and now I’m 2 stone heavier and a 10/12… but that’s okay. Boobs are bigger which is a bonus!

Ohsoquietchange that all sounds great, I could live with that! :)

I loved my pregnancy body. I felt beautiful, and loved showing it off in tight clothes. Post-pregnancy body… not so much. I’ve put on a lot of weight and I’m struggling. Basically don’t do what I did and carry on eating crap after you’ve had the baby!
Covered in stretch marks but they don’t bother me one bit. Everyone’s got some somewhere.
As for my sex drive, it’s higher post-baby than it was pre-baby!

PartyPotato... firstly I love your name!😄 Secondly overall I think that's pretty positive feedback, especially about the sex drive. And sounds like you are taking the weight gain and stretch marks relatively in your stride! Thanks 😌 xx

Currently TTC and I worry too! Is it impossible to get body back to somewhat similar to what it was before or is this virtually impossible?

Stacey Solomon did a podcast where she described herself like Shallow Hal. She looked terrible in a bikini post baby but thinks she looks great. That is exactly how I felt 4 months post birth.
6 months post baby and I have stretch marks, weight loss has plateaued (probably due to lack of sleep).
I am the biggest I have ever been but I am very happy with the amazing things my body has done.

I have really struggled with my appearance during pregnancy (I can't comment after yet as still 37w pregnant) I seem to hold a lot of weight in the face now and I just look like someone else. My usual style has gone out the window and just dress in what fits.

I'm fed up of people saying not to worry about my weight or how my body will look after pregnancy, because my style is important to me and I still want my identity as well as being a mother.

I panic about what's to come post birth all the time!

The two pictures below was me at my baby shower and me this time last year.....GULP

@TRex57128 thanks yeah I guess it could be worse. Im sure there’s lots of people out there who are fine with their bodies but really down about their stretch marks. For me it’s the other way round. It’s different for everyone.

@alltheeights you look good in both photos. I reckon you will get your previous figure back after baby.
I think because your short, I hope you don't mind me saying that, you feel the changes the bump makes more dramatically than a taller person would. x

@LittleGungHo sounds like you are doing great, this gives me hope! :)

@ttcissoboring sounds like we are in this together, not knowing what's gonna happen!! xx

@alltheeights you look great in both pictures ☺️