Body confidence in pregnancy is tough, there’s no denying that.
Body confidence on a general, day-to-day basis can be tough as it is, but in pregnancy it just feels ten times harder. Your body is changing, doing things that you quite literally have no control over. You’re gaining weight, your stomach is expanding, your hormones are wreaking havoc left, right and centre.
We are constantly told that pregnancy will have us ‘glowing’, but more often than not we’re left feeling… well.
Ugly. Unattractive. Potato like. Lumpy, bumpy and undesirable.
It’s safe to say that body confidence in pregnancy plummets. So how can we battle these issues and make ourselves feel better about our bodies?
Body confidence in pregnancy – Remember you’re more than your body
Above all else, it’s so important to remember that you are more than your body. In fact, you are more than your physical appearance full stop!
You are all the elements that make up your personality; that make you, you. When people think about you, or talk about you, chances are your body is the last thing they mention. They’ll talk about why they think you’re a great person, or how talented or smart you are. They’ll talk about what they love about you. Your body probably won’t even make it into the discussion.
You are everything that makes you you. Your likes and dislikes, hobbies, talents, interests, favourite things, likes and dislikes. There is so much more to you than your appearance.
If you’re feeling low about your looks, about your body, remember it’s just one very minor part of who you are. Social media will tell you otherwise, but it’s really not important.
Most importantly of all, your body is performing something miraculous right now. The way your body looks isn’t important in comparison to that. If you’re struggling to get to grips with how your body looks, just remember what it’s doing.
No one cares as much as you do
The harsh truth is that no one cares about your body as much as you do. Not one person. No one thinks about your body as much as you do. Nobody looks at your body as much as you do. Your body is not as important to anyone else as it is to you.
So when you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see, why is that?
Is it because you wish you had hips like your pal Emma, or boobs like your pal Sarah? Is it because you wish you looked more like a Kardashian, or a Love Island contestant? Maybe it’s because society has just made you hate what you look like.
Believe me when I say, no one has ever looked at you and thought hmm, she’d be so much more attractive if she looked more like Kim Kardashian. Or, hmm she would be a much better person if only her boobs were bigger.
This goes doubly so for people who are pregnant! No one decent likes to judge a pregnant person. No one thinks wow, she’s doing pregnancy all wrong because she doesn’t look a certain way.
In fact, almost everyone will be lovely to you when you’re pregnant and tell you how well you look, or how glowing you are! Believe them, trust me.
Honestly – believe me – no one cares about your body as much as you do. That’s why it is so important that you find comfort and contentness within your own body. Don’t look for validation elsewhere, because at the end of the day it’s only your opinion of yourself that matters.
Be honest with your partner
If you have a partner, make sure you make them aware of your feelings. Sometimes during pregnancy, if we don’t get more attention than normal our hormones can have us feeling neglected.
Opening up to your partner is important, so they can make sure to pay you all the compliments that you deserve – and more!
It’s also important to open up to your partner about your feelings, not only so they can help you but so you know you’re not alone! It’s no good bottling your feelings up and trying to battle them alone – that’s only going to manifest itself in other ways.
Speak up, be honest and open about your feelings and let your partner reassure you and make you feel better.
Experiment with your style
You might find it gets harder to dress how you would like to as your body changes. When your boobs get bigger and you begin to grow a bump, you’re going to have to make some changes to your wardrobe.
At first it can be easier and more comfortable to live in stretchy pants/leggings and oversized tees and jumpers. If that works for you, that’s great! But sometimes it might leave you feeling a bit like a sack of potatos. You might want to feel like your old self! That’s why experimenting with style is so important.
Go on a shopping spree, ask some mum friends for inspo or even use the likes of pinterest for some good ideas for pregnancy outfits. Dungarees are perfect for a cute look, bodycon dresses can give you a more sexy feel, flowing midi skirts and tees keep you looking girly but cool. Get out there and experiment!
If you feel miserable with your clothes you’re going to feel low in terms of body confidence and self esteem. It won’t help at all – so turn this into something fun and have a play around with clothes and your style!
Have a pamper and self care session
Pregnancy is exhausting and can have you feeling sluggish and – well, gross.
It might sound simple, but taking an hour or two for some very basic self care can be so refreshing for you and leave you feeling ten times better.
Have a bubble bath, do a face mask, exfoliate and moisturise yourself from head to toe, maybe even book yourself in for a massage if you can! Whatever it is that will make you feel refreshed, rejuvenated and just better about yourself.
Sometimes, self care is even more basic than that – going for a walk, getting some fresh air, drinking enough water.
It might sound like none of those contribute to body confidence and body image but they do. Because it’s all about feeling good, and only when our body is lacking in one area or another, it stops us from feeling good! And that’s what we really want in pregnancy – to feel good. Feeling good leads to positive feelings about ourselves, including our bodies. Yay!
Remember it’s not forever
These changes can feel hard to deal with. You might feel like a stranger in your own body – that’s normal, expected and fine. If you honestly can’t find yourself feeling love towards your own body, then remember this; it’s not forever.
These changes are temporary. Once you’ve given birth, your body will change again. Then once it’s ‘healed’, and you’re back to ‘normality’, it will change again! Bodies always change and this is just one of many changes.
You can get through this. You’ve got this, mama.
I’ve started a new Instagram, Blossoming Bodies UK. This is a sister page to Blossoming, dedicated to documenting body confidence in pregnancy, as well as self love during pregnancy. Why not give the page a follow and find some parents going through what you’re going through too? You’re not alone.
What advice would you give to someone struggling with body confidence in pregnancy? Leave some ideas below! You never know who you might be able to help.
Love from, Florence Grace
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