5 months pregnant and feel extremely unattractive

[Saraahh]

Hi all, this is just a post to rant to be honest, I'm 21 weeks pregnant and have never felt uglier! I know I'm growing a human and my bodies changing etc but I'm starting to despise the way I look... My skin, the weight gain, I look big from all angles, even the way I walk now I hate!

My husband has never called me anything less than beautiful and says I'm more attractive because I'm pregnant. He's been so supportive but I still can't help but feel like I'm hideous. Even down to the way my nipples have changed! I'm 25 but feel like my youthful body is now gone... Don't get me wrong I never had the perfect body and always was a bit chubby but now especially where my waist has just disappeared I'm struggling to come to terms with my new appearance.

Any expecting mums feel the same? Any tips on how to stop overthinking this?

I felt like you, OP. I was about the same age, too. I actually like my body much more now than before I was pregnant, so it's not gone forever, I promise. This is temporary.

Pregnancy is HARD. I think it's absolutely normal to feel like this, and the changes happen so fast that your brain doesn't have time to get used to, and accept, them.

Maternity clothes are generally shit, boring sacks. They are just coverings and so far from any kind of style as to be anti-style, for the most part. Try to see if you can find some "regular" clothes in your usual style that are still comfy, as that might help to make you feel more like yourself. Pregnancy massage/facial/getting my nails done all helped me to feel a bit more human - making the best of things I could control, I suppose. I kept a wellness/gratitude journal, too. Bit wanky, but made me reflect on good things and stop obsessing. I know my suggestions are quite shallow, I don't know that I nailed the "feeling more attractive in pregnancy" thing, but they were things I did that definitely helped me stop feeling so down, and also just to say that you are 100% not alone.

Thank you so much for this!! ❤️

Hi OP. I get you. I struggled in my first pregnancy and at the point you're at, I didn't quite have a bump but had lost my figure and clothes weren't fitting. Someone got it exactly right when they said to me it's feeling like a stuffed sausage.

Agree with PP to maybe try find some normal clothes (rather than maternity) that fit comfortably. I would have been about a similar stage as you at this time two years ago and I wore jumper dresses with tights and boots, which is far closer to my own style so I felt quite together and were actually quite forgiving. Maternity trousers were all awful on me and I hated smock style maternity tops!

I'm currently 8 weeks with my second and the bloat is unreal. I look about the size I was at 20 weeks first time round and already feeling miserable. Husband reassures me I'm not fat, I'm just pregnant (obviously) but it doesn't make you feel better. Especially when all you can stomach are yum yums and cheddar cheese 🙈

I often see pics of women looking super glam with their bump. Pregnancy can be so draining I always wonder how they do it. That couldn't be further from my experience so you're not alone. The time is very short lived (although feels like forever) so do whatever makes you feel better.

Are you having a girl? There's an old wives tale about girls 'stealing their mums beauty' and it's certainly true for me 🙈
Second pregnancy, 26 weeks and feel the most unattractive I've ever felt - I feel like my face is always a bit puffy, I've got dark spots on my cheeks, blemishes etc. Ib just don't look 'right' no matter what I do with my hair and make up.
And don't even get me started on how I feel about my body.
Definitely no glowing over here.

Literally the same as me! I'm having a boy though! What about you??

Totally normal to feel this way. But when you hold your precious baby, you’ll never feel more proud of what your body achieved!

I'm 31 weeks pregnant, believe me the feeling only gets worse 😂

Normal I think. It'll get worse but then about 4/5/6 months post partum you'll be back to yourself and feeling better.

I'm much more body confident after having kids than before. Technically I don't look as good in a bikini but I just don't care as much and then enjoy myself more.

You could always do a pregnancy photoshoot if you want to try and make yourself feel better? I know some people who've got lovely pictures from them.

I think when you're pregnant it feel like it's FOREVER but actally only 9 months and you've only got 4 to go.

What I'm saying is, maybe you don't look as amazing as usual but it's not going to last long.

I looked better within a few weeks post birth and pretty much the same as before at 9 months. Didn't do anything special, just a bit of walking and not eating too much crap. You've youth on your side so I'm sure will be back to normal soon. Just don't stress as there's no point for what's only a few months now.

Hi all. Just looking for some others that feel like me. Feel so lost and exhausted this Xmas (I'm 23 weeks) and very left out ! Friends making plans without me going on Xmas nights out, partner doesn't get how I'm feeling and he's constantly working late nights so I'm lonely in the evening, before I was pregnant I would sometimes have a few gins and chill with a boxset. I made a comment about how I look forward to a few drinks next Xmas and it was insinuated I would be an irresponsible parent for doing that. Argh !

100% feel the same. I'm 31 weeks and have been rubbish at making plans because work has been full on and I've been knackered. I feel like everyone else has been having festive fun apart from me. My partner also works evening and weekends and was just away for a week which didn't help things! Hopefully you get to spend some time together now Christmas is getting closer, but don't worry - I've been having exactly the same thoughts as you. Can't wait to get stuck into a bottle of red.

Ah yeah red is my fave !! And port and cheese my partner bought a bottle of that and some blue cheese and I'm like okay yeah I'll have another OJ lol 😂 Xmas day could be potential torture for me i can see it haha. Good to know we're not alone though 😊😊😊