Pregnancy + Body Image

As someone who has always struggled with body image, I always assumed that if and when I got pregnant, it would be really challenging for me.

I figured that a growing belly, putting on weight, and having no control over the physical changes that my body was undergoing would take a major toll on my mental and emotional well-being. I imaged myself blowing up, feeling huge, and thus, being miserable.

But then I got pregnant, and I found that instead of dreading the growth, I embraced it. As my body has gotten bigger over the past almost-32 weeks, I've watched in awe. As I've put on weight, I've been excited to see the changes, instead of scared of the numbers on the scale. This has been totally unexpected and pretty wonderful--especially after a life of obsessing over those same numbers on the scale. 

Of course, I've been lucky because I've been able to stay active throughout my pregnancy. I didn't struggle with morning sickness, I haven't been put on bed rest or pelvic rest (*knock on wood*), and I've had enough energy to practice yoga, walk, lift weights, go to Barre, etc. I have no doubt that all of this movement has helped me feel more comfortable in my body and feel that I'm still inhabiting the same body, even as it has changed. I recognize that not every woman has this experience and for that I am super grateful. 

But even after talking to women who weren't able to move a lot during pregnancy, or who did gain way more weight than they'd expected due to exercise restrictions, and after listening to TONS of birth stories (on this podcast, which I highly recommend!), it seems that for the most part, there is just something so wonderful about this process--something so amazing--that it overrides much of our societal programming around weight and body image. 

When your body is growing and supporting another life, it becomes okay that it's doesn't look like it usually does. When you feel your baby move inside (INSIDE!) of your belly, it's worth having a slightly bigger butt and thighs. When you find that your regular jeans no longer button, for the very first time in your life, it's exciting, because it means that things are progressing as they should.

I was totally surprised by all of these experiences and with each week, continue to be amazed by how easy it has been to embrace getting bigger.

If all continues on schedule, I've got approx. 8-9 weeks of pregnancy left. From what I understand, my baby still has to [perhaps] double in size, and thus, my body still has a lot of growing to do, too. So if you ask me in 4 or 5 weeks how I feel about my body shape and size, I may have an entirely different outlook to share with you. 

But for now, I'm feeling pretty good about the fact that I've made it almost 32 weeks and so far, the hatred + disgust that I spent many of my younger years feeling towards my body hasn't crept in at all; I've actually felt the opposite sort of feelings toward my body, and have never felt more in love with it (and impressed by what it can do). 

Thus, if you, too, have struggled with body image and/or eating disorders in your life, and plan on getting pregnant one day, but have always worried about how you would feel in a larger, growing body, I hope this post puts you at ease.

​I'm finding that there is nothing like pregnancy to teach you how incredible the female body really is, and how freeing it can be to fully embrace your body [for once!]...