My Pregnant Body Image

There I was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, staring at my ever growing baby belly and then I saw it. Not only had my belly grown, but my boobs, my hips, my butt and my thighs had expanded along with it.

Part of me understood that it was just another step in the journey of pregnancy but the other half wanted to run away screaming about what was happening to my once girlish figure. I later found out I was not the only one feeling this way, when a friend called me to tell me she could no longer see her feet due to her baby belly but was almost glad do to the fact that her ankles were slowly swelling.

I'm finding that body image issues are a common complaint among pregnant women. In a world that idolizes celebrities who bounce back from pregnancy as though it never occurred, it can be really hard to find the truth of it all amongst the glittering retouched photos. So, what can I do to make myself feel better? I'm finding that it's the little things I do that make the difference.

Taking extra time to fuss with my hair and makeup, doing my nails, putting on a stylish outfit or even just buying a new brand of conditioner can make me feel better in the morning. On the days my body feels more like a human incubator than my own it can be nice to think of the reason I'm going through all this and that can make the day all better. Then there are some days where sitting on my couch in my comfiest pair of sweats with a pint of ice cream can make me the happiest woman on earth.

I'm very lucky at the moment to have another friend who is experiencing the wonders of pregnancy at the same time I am. It can be a wonderful thing to have someone who understands exactly what you are going through. Talking about exactly what I in my head at the moment can be a wonderful way of relaxing.

Sometimes I do worry that my pre-pregnancy body is gone forever and that I have been sentenced to a life of a bulging belly and huge rear. This is why weight loss companies make so much money isn't it? But until I have the baby and I really begin to worry about taking off the pounds that nine months of junk food packed on I will say this; pregnant women of the world, go eat that candy bar or piece of cake...I won't tell!