How to feel better in pregnancy

[purplefig]

I'm around 11 weeks pregnant and I already feel so uncomfortable, unattractive and bloated. It doesn't help that I have put on about a stone in the last year or so while TTC, and I'm short so it's very noticeable.

None of my old clothes fit properly, but I don't have a huge budget to spend on new clothes. I've ordered a couple of maternity bits off of eBay but I feel ridiculous for doing that so early on.

Any tips for feeling a bit better about myself? I realise I've got a long way left to go - and lots more growing to do!

Anyone?

I'd look out for topshop maternity wear on eBay op , it was probably my favourite brand during pregnancy. They make maternity versions of their usual clothing , other shops should take note!

Please don't feel like you shouldn't be buying maternity so early on , if you need it then get it. Everyone is different.

Things that made me feel good in pregnancy were having good hair and nails. Get a good cut and style it well , possibly get some lovely nail polish too. China Glaze has some amazing neon shades to compliment this sunny weather.

I found once my bump 'popped' around 16-18 weeks and I actually looked pregnant rather than just bloated, I felt a lot more comfortable in my growing figure.
I was then able to wear fitted clothes that made me look slimmer rather than tops that skimmed my bump to hide it in the early weeks.
Also the morning sickness had subsided by then so I wasn't just living off carbs and so I would eat plenty of fruit/veg.
Could you treat yourself to a new hair cut/colour? Get your nails done? New shoes? All these things make me feel better about myself.

Thanks both, really appreciate the replies.

I've ordered some ASOS maternity dungarees and am going to bid on a bundle that has some lovely topshop bits in it. I think not having clothes that fit is a big problem - I'm currently living in a tatty stretchy maxi skirt / stretchy yoga bottoms.

I did paint my toenails the other day and they genuinely make me smile every time I spot them. I could do my nails too, good shout.

I really could do with a haircut too. I'm trying to do the curly girl method at the moment, but my hair is all one long length and it just gets dragged down and looks quite flat. I'm tempted to get a whack cut off (it's down to my waist), but I've always had long hair so I wondered if that'll send me into another identity crisis .

I'm really looking forward to popping, as at the moment I basically just feel like a fatter, more bloated version of my regular self!

I'm 21 weeks and I feel your pain. The 'looking fat but not pregnant stage' is horrible, I have never felt so unattractive in my life. I've got a proper bump now (it's my third baby so I'm quite big!) and it's so much easier to dress.

Boohoo maternity clothes are terrible but H&M are good for basics and no too pricey, new look can be ok and Dorothy Perkins is good too but I think that's only online. I never understand the pregnancy = dungarees thing personally, too much faff to go to the toilet... but my bladder control is not what it was!

Buy maternity clothes early so you get good wear out of them. Try Asda and Sainsbury online and weirdly amazon have some good maternity/breast feeding tops. Jojo meme babe are expensive but have a sale on at the moment.

Buy shower oil and other things which make you feel good but aren’t too expensive or take up too much time.

Definitely second buying maternity early - by 28ish weeks I was in desperate need of bigger clothes than the maternity ones I'd already bought but couldn't justify spending £15 on something i was only going to wear a few times. Also buying maternity that doubles up as nursing clothes as I realised on my first day out with her I only have two items in my wardrobe I can breastfeed in (assuming you'll breastfeed, otherwise ignore that).
I also did foot masks a lot and stocked up on bubble bath (not radox!) as that's what makes me feel better.
You'll definitely want short hair once baby is here too, they cling to everything including hair and at least with shorter styles you can get it away from them a bit easier.

Yes get into maternity stuff, don't feel silly. As a PP said, much better to get your money's worth out of it.

eBay is definitely a great place to look.

Before I got pregnant, I was convinced I wasn't going to buy much maternity wear and just make do. I've ended up buying way more than I should really but it has definitely helped me cope (up until now; 36 weeks and look like a whale in everything). I bought a few bits from Next but I found Asda the best in terms of being the best value for money but also the most interesting. I've also bought a few non-maternity bits from primark and just sized up (mainly dresses and loose trousers).

@mistermagpie yes I'm looking forward to getting out of the fat but not pregnant stage! I've heard bad things about Boohoo so will steer clear. I know it's a bit of a cliche, but I'm a big dungaree fan in normal life, so just wanted to get a pair that will fit.

@hormonesorDHbeingadick ooo thanks for the supermarket suggestion - wouldn't have thought of those.

@aewwwenxt glad you've all validated my early mat buying plan - and it makes sense about getting wear out of it early on. Good point about breastfeeding too - I am planning to try. I quite like the look of the vest + top combo for feeding.

@Lamentations thank you, really do feel better for you all encouraging the early mat purchasing!! Will have a proper stalk about on eBay.

@mynameiscalypso I'll take a look at Asda in that case. I've got a couple of bits of stretchy normal clothing that fit, so I guess that's another avenue.

Also, dungarees are amazing. No waist bands!

Do not cut your hair short!! Mine is short (chin length) now and I'm growing it desperately. It was this length when DS2 was born and I'd have given my right arm to be able to stick it in a ponytail!

@mynameiscalypso haha couldn't agree more - they're just so darn comfortable!

@mistermagpie ooo good point - I imagine a pony/bun would be a lifesaver. Mine is just waist length though now, so could do with at least a trim as it's a bit ratty looking on the ends.

Once my bump popped I really enjoyed wearing clothes such emphasised it. It’s the only time I’m not conscious of my tummy & actually it’s given me confidence to step outside of my comfort zone & wear clothes/accessories I’ve really wanted to try like fun headbands & jumpsuits. I’ve bought great maternity clothes from ASOS, Dorothy Perkins & New Look. Nothing expensive, lots in the sale.

Like happytobemrsg I've enjoyed wearing jersey bodycon dresses since "popping", which I've never been able to wear before because always felt self-conscious about having a bit of a belly.
I found it helpful to make a Pinterest board of maternity "looks" I liked, then made a shopping list based on that. Almost everything I've bought has been from eBay, but I've found H&M have some bargains in-store that aren't listed online, if your local one stocks maternity wear. I've bought a couple of summer tops and some winter jumpers over the last couple weeks for no more than a fiver each.