How do you make yourself feel better about yourself whilst pregnant

[amorningperson]

Hi all! I’m 22 weeks pregnant and feeling pretty grim about myself body image wise wondering what you guys do to make yourself feel better about yourself? What makes you feel nice about the way you look I mean (sorry this is a very shallow question). Thanks

I think how bloody amazing it is that I am growing a tiny human inside me! The larger tummy and other bigger areas are all because of that!
And the bigger boobs are a plus, no?! 😅

I could have written your post. Also 22 weeks and just feel like a lump. At that stage where I don’t yet look like I have a proper noticeable bump, just look chubby. :(

22 weeks can be a bit of an awkward stage - I just felt fat rather pregnant then (I also wasn't feeling any movements due to an anterior placenta).

Things that helped a bit:

• buying some properly fitting maternity clothes & underwear. You don't have to spend loads - I mostly bought secondhand on Vinted for clothes & bras, & got some low-rise knickers from H&M that went under the bump in a size bigger than usual, plus some big cotton pants from M&S in a size up. Digging through the wardrobe trying to find something that fits is no fun so get some stuff that is comfortably and makes you feel good.

• pregnancy massage. I didn't have one until 33 weeks as I had a rash all over during most of 2nd trimester & beginning of 3rd trimester, but once I could it was lovely. I've got my last one booked for 39 weeks and hoping I don't have baby earlier as looking forward to it!

• looking after your skin. I started using bio oil regularly, but any moisturiser will do; I don't think it actually reduces/prevents stretchmarks but my skin feels very dry and stretched, & it definitely helps with that.

I've found wearing fitted clothes rather than baggy ones helps me, it's a lot more obvious that it's a baby bump that way

DD was due in Sept 2019, and obvs I wasn’t going to be bouncing to the gym in the first few months postpartum. So when I was looking in the mirror feeling bleugh I used to remind myself “this is a 2020 problem”, and just brush off the negative thoughts for another while.

I have had a few miscarriages since DD and now I’m really in awe at what our body can withstand, especially in pregnancy. It’s a special time but it’s also very short and temporary. Please don’t spend it worrying about how you look, because you probably look much the same as you always have- just with a bump!