How to deal with body image during pregnancy?

Question

I Am a FTM. I am only 13w4d and I'm already struggling with the changing appearance of my body. I can't imagine how I'm going to feel the further along I am. I've never been super comfortable with my body but in the last year dropped 20 pounds and finally felt ok with my body. I know I have a miracle growing in me but I can't stand the thought of gaining 15-25 pounds. And the thought of getting stretch marks😱😡also, thinking about the horrific things a vaginal delivery can do to down there!

I'm extremely nervous that my husband won't find me attractive after all of this!

Any advice on how to deal with feeling like this?

Answer

I am 37wks 4 days and I haven't gotten a stretch mark because it's very much based on your genes (and fortunately I came from good ones), so ask your family what their experience was. As for the weight gain and image changing, I tried to look at the positives. Like this is the only time in your life you don't need to suck in and people will still think you're adorable, probably even more so being pregnant. You also don't need to gain a lot of weight, again some of it is genetics so talk to your family. My mom and sister both were smaller during pregnancy and didn't gain a lot of weight. I've gained like 8 pounds so far and both my baby and me are perfectly healthy. Talk to your dr about this stuff and they will give you helpful info while also making sure you and your baby are healthy :)

Answer

You will lose most of the weight from giving birth and from losing all the excess water weight within the first few days. I didn't get any new stretch marks and all my gfs vaginas are fine lol. They are stretchy and go back to shape after. Try and relax lol. Enjoy your pregnancy.

Answer

Vaginal deliveries don't do anything 'down there' at least not to mine. My husband found me just attractive before, during and after. As long as you remain healthy and active, you should bounce back. I actually prefer my pregnancy body over my normal body 😊

Answer

I guess my advice would be to know that it's normal and to be kind to yourself. I have always been plus sized but definitely more so this time than any of my other pregnancies. I feel sad every time that scale moves (though I am glad that I haven't gained more than I lost - yet). I don't want to be fatter than I am or was! And it is a separate feeling from my feelings about the baby. I think it is normal, especially considering we give up a lot of our control in that respect. As to stretch marks. I have them, and they don't bother me (or anyone I have been with). I never really took any steps to avoid them, though I have heard that some lotions can help. And for the vajayjay... This will be my 6th baby, all vaginal deliveries so far, and I assume this baby will be as well. Nothing much has changed. :) I have a scar down there from my 4 episiotomies and 1 tear (and I plan on another episiotomy if that needs to happen!). But other than that... I don't pee myself and it goes back to normal. The body thing gets easier once you have a nice round hard baby belly. I am 23 weeks and my little girl is so obvious... I finally feel good about my belly and not like a total lard. And that has been good! My sex drive came back and for the most part the sickness is gone, and she is moving like crazy. Those are the fun things that make it more bearable. :)

Answer

Well think about it. You might gain weight but you'll be able to tell it's a baby it won't be fat. Do your best to keep your skin hydrated and use lotions to try to avoid stretch marks (they are genetic but keeping yourself moisturized will help). Birth will probably hurt and you might tear down there but they will stitch you and you'll heal and you'll be back to normal. There still may be times where you don't like the shape of your belly or whatever it is but donyour best to embrace it. I know that at 28 weeks you can tell I'm carrying so low and I know when I get closer and bigger it's going to look so weird hanging so low. But it is what it is and as long as the little one is healthy that's what matter.

Answer

Honestly in the beginning I feel like even though you KNOW you are pregnant it doesn't feel real until later on. When you start to feel your little munchkin kick and move and hiccup.. and your baby bump becomes more prevalent.. you will slowly stop feeling bloated and overweight and you will start to love your growing belly.

I totally understand how you feel. I got stretch marks right after I gave birth and I did tear during delivery.. but "down there" is just as beautiful as before lol and I have a peace about the stretch marks. Idk every time I look at my little girl it makes it all worth it.

And my husband is very supportive.. it's a whole new level of attraction and love when you carry and care for their child. Stretch marks and all. 😍

It's just hard now.. don't worry it's all one hundred percent worth it. You are beautiful and so is the little miracle you are growing.

Answer

1) not everyone gets stretch marks....4th pregnancy 3rd baby and I don't have a single one...ask ur mom as it can be hereditary.

2)put your weight and image issues behind you for your baby. Screw what anyone thinks bout you or your body as you're growing a baby. Their opinions should never matter anyway.

3) vaginal deliveries do nothing down there. Have had two of them n my husband still has no complaints. And if ur worried run bc running will tighten all muscles in there resulting in you tightening up.

Pregnancy will make you gain weight if it helps tell ur dr you don't wanna know how much u gain unless there r issues. Many r good when they actually get a belly. So maybe u will b good in a couple weeks when u get bigger. Either way find a way to embrace it and love it.

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