Embarrassed by my baby bump

[Sickofit189]

I am 24, almost 25 weeks pregnant and I am feeling horrible about my changing body. I am wearing shorts here but I wouldn’t wear them leaving the house. I feel like a spectacle and like I’m going to have people guessing in public or just assuming I’m this or that. I’m struggling with image issues and I feel like my body isn’t my own. I was eating keto before pregnancy and was a size zero and this was unplanned so as much as I’m already in love with her I’m struggling to accept my changing body.

many tips for embracing it? Here I am.

I would just concentrate on the fact you are growing a baby. Literally put a note in your diary for 9 months AFTER the baby’s due to work on your health and fitness until then concentrate on the baby and not what you look like. For what it’s worth you look great.

your figure is to die for!!! it still looks unreal whilst pregnant, im extremely jealous- I look like a sack of potatoes 😂

I don’t see a bump op, just a normal curvy figure.

christ I have a bigger bump than that and I’m not pregnant! You look absolutely fine

Have you spoken to someone about these feelings? You’re having a baby so your body will change, but if you have body issues that could affect how you approach food when you need to be eating a balanced diet.

Honestly, I wouldn't notice if I passed you on the street. You've still got a great figure, you just look like you've had a big meal.

A changing body is just part of pregnancy you have no choice on. With ds I looked like you at 25 weeks then I hit 28 weeks and I kind of exploded overnight in size. You do get used to it, even when you aren't keen.

Honestly, most people who don't know wouldn't notice or care, generally people are too wrapped up worrying about themselves to think about others.

I have no magic words to help you find a way to feel OK about the changes, but it's OK, you will be OK and when baby is here the way you look now will be the furthest thing from your mind.

Congratulations on your pregnancy, just love your baby like you are and I'm sure you'll be fine.

Flippin hell, I think most women look way bigger at 25 weeks than that. The way I saw it when I was pregnant last year is that's my son growing in there so I don't care what anyone thinks, I'm doing the most amazing thing on the planet, creating and growing a life

You need some professional support with your body image and well-being as you have a very healthy body and bump, and your feelings aren't in line with that. Speak to your midwife.

Agreed. Honestly OP you're only going to get bigger and if you're already struggling to this extent you absolutely need to seek support.

It's probably more important that your baby is growing healthily than worrying about not being a size zero any more. It's natural! I couldn't wait for my bumps to show - and they did at 18 weeks each time. Hopefully your baby is growing well. I hope you manage to accept your changing body.

At 25 weeks i was the size of a house, im currently 32 weeks & ive put on over 2 stone and feel like a umpa lumpa with chub rub. Ive stuggled with my weigh for years and when i got pregnant i was 9st and size 8/10 so i understand how you feel about your changing body all i can say is you look incredible!!!

It’s natural to feel like this when pregnant. It’s a big change. I was in the gym 5 days a week when I fell pregnant so can really relate to the body image issues (this is my third baby) but I have carried on working out at the gym and eating healthy and it makes me feel a lot better mentally. It also hopefully means il be in better shape post partum then I was with previous pregnancies.!

people always have an opinion on pregnant women and it does get annoying your always “too big” bump is “so round” or your “so tiny” - the list is endless but people seem to think they can openly ask you personal questions because your pregnant. It takes some getting used to but focus on your well being during pregnancy and just keep to a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle

My instinct was you call you a troll because I thought literally no one would think they are fat with that body. Then I checked myself and realise that you are struggling and you need some help. You look amazing by the way, but if you can't embrace your changing body when you look this good then you have to seek help as it's going to get worse.

I felt a bit like this with my first. Getting used to your body suddenly changing especially if you've been the same size for a long time is definitely something that took me some adjustment. It was totally weird because I've never ever had body image issues before, but the shape looked out of proportion and bizarre somehow.

I didn't need professional help or anything dramatic like that. 🤣 Given that I was pregnant in China there wouldn't have been anything available anyway lmao.

Honestly when the bump properly popped out around 28 weeks and I looked properly pregnant, I actually felt better and I just didn't look at my stomach from about week 16 when I first started showing until then.

I didn't even notice the changes with my second baby, I think I'd adjusted to the fact that pregnancy happens this way by then. Also, I stopped thinking of my body the way I did before I was pregnant when I'd worked so hard on those perfect abs, and I started realising what a heroic job it had done nurturing my lovely little baby until he was ready to come out into the world. I genuinely couldn't give a crap about my post-pregnancy belly now (which is a size bigger than the rest of me) because it's done the job it was supposed to.

I think you need to speak to someone about those feelings.

Im 21 weeks pregnant and so I get what you mean about changing body I just focus on the fact I’m growing a beauty baby girlie!

I strongly suggest asking your midwife for some extra support. Some cbt might help you see a different point of view. Your body is doing everything right to keep your baby safe and well. That's all you need to focus on. All the best with the rest of your pregnancy x

Give over!!

When I initially read this I was going to reply with supportive words as I’ve had similar thoughts. However sorry to sound unsupportive but seems like a post to get other women just to tell you that you look great. You’re probably aware that will be lots of people much bigger than you at 25 weeks. If you were that embarrassed you would not have posted a photo. Maybe seek some help if these feelings are genuine.

Think you need to seek support about your body image concerns and pregnancy anxiety

I’m shocked at how tiny you are! Have you spoken to midwife? You need to grow a baby!!

I completely agree. This is actually concerning.

Inclined to agree.

I found it helped me to wear looser clothings rather than figure hugging, so people couldn't see my stomach or guess what was going on with it!

Thanks mumsnet for deleting my reply that other women were finding helpful…