body image and pregnancy

[jacquiedl]

basically, i am really happy- THRILLED to be pregnant, but i am struggling with the body changes. i am only 11wks and im a DDD boob and an entire size larger in pants.  i have always been weight conscious and this is very challenging for me.  any advice?

[joree]

With my first baby I did not care about the weight gain, I just embraced it.  I tipped at 209, (started out at 146) go figure!  I never felt bad, just loved how I looked, I thought it would be my one and only.  Now I am preganant with #2, 2 years later.  Did not lose about 30 pounds of that extra weight, so this time around I am too worried about my weight.  I am finding it hard to enjoy being pregnant because I am worried that I will gain too much.  Honestly I felt better about me and my baby when I just knew I was eating right with the every once and a while slip of not so good for you food, then I do now beating myself up for having something I should not.  Enjoy being healthy, enjoy being pregnant because what you waste away in worry about image you can't get back after the baby is born and you wished you would have just enjoyed more and worried less...

[JoyRenee]

I can empathize with you and this is very normal for pregnant women to feel. Remember you'll only grow for about 9 months and then once you have the go-ahead you can start working out, eating wholesome and healthy foods, and lose the weight!

I'm going into this pregnancy at 179lbs so I know very well I could reach 200 lbs by the end (YIKES)! It makes me freak out to think about but I have a PLAN and having a plan makes me feel better.

The pregnant body is beautiful (most men love the pregnant body more than a non-pregnant one!).

[Tasia32]

I agree with Chantal, pregnancy is very beautiful and the baby weight can be gone with some exercising after baby is born!!!

[chantal21]

I would just try to embrace it! Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. Just remember these body changes are only happening so you can make room for and carry your baby for 9 months. I know it's hard to see your body changing so quickly, but remember it's all because of your precious baby! And there is light at the end of tunnel. Once you have your baby, you can work on getting back to where you were. I never lost all of the baby weight from my first, and now I am 10 1/2 weeks and don't quite feel like I have a baby bump yet, just still some fat left over. It's hard during the early stages because no one really knows by looking at your belly that you are pregnant (at least for me anyway right now, it's just kinda extra weight) But once your belly *pops* it won't be so bad. =)