I believe most women go through some sort of body image issues or insecurities at some stage in their lives, unfortunately (if you haven’t, good for you!). I know I have! Especially the major physical changes we go through during our teen years, pregnancy and when ageing can trigger some negative feelings about ourselves…
Being pregnant for the first time is exciting and while the growing bump is physical evidence of the miracle we are experiencing, I find it hard to embrace all of the changes in my body. I’ve caught myself making the ultimate mistake and guaranteed mood killer of comparing myself to others.
I’ve joined a few Facebook mum-groups and I was surprised to discover how often there are requests to other pregnant mums to post their bump photos from week X or tell how much weight they’d gained by X week. It could of course be about the typical competition between women but I think it’s mainly to answer the question “Am I ok like this?”. Seeking approval is perfectly natural during a time of change but I wish we didn’t feel the need to!
I know we are all unique and we continue to be so when pregnant. What I find challenging however is the increased attention my body and my bump are getting now that I’m expecting. And the comments… To some I was showing early, some think I still don’t look pregnant at 19 weeks. I’m sure none of the comments are intended to offend but at the moment I’m really like a teenage girl growing boobs – unsure if I’m ok like this! What’s more, I start wondering if the baby is alright when I get called “small” for my weeks.
So am I too big or too small? Am I gaining enough or too much weight? Oh who knows…
My midwife/ob-gyn knows. As long as they are happy, I should be fine! (That being said, no-one has actually weighed or measured me since week 8!)
This post stems from my thoughts this morning when I woke up, got up and checked out my baby bump in the mirror and I swear it had shrank! Even daddy-to-be thought the same. We later Googled and found out that the baby’s position and amount of fluids in my body can easily change the shape and size of my bump. So I was probably was dehydrated from the night and the baby had snuggled in towards my back somewhere.
Comfortingly enough, I kept feeling little movements here and there throughout the day so I think we are ok 🙂 Only 11 more days to our next scan!
Here is a photo of my bump from 18 weeks (sorry this gym selfie is the most recent I have!).
xoxoxo,
Sini