Pregnancy can be a pretty wild experience, after all, you’re growing a tiny human inside of you – an awesome, wonderful gift. But as your body makes drastic changes to create a home for your little one, maintaining a positive body image can be challenging.

There is so much pressure not to gain more than the “correct” amount of weight as we are inundated with images of celebrities who have perfect post-partum bodies. There is constant pressure to bounce back to pre-baby size straight after baby is born. Truth is, the internal battle between feeling blessed to be pregnant, yet struggling with the physical changes, could make you feel like you’re losing control.

Sure, you’ve been told about the crazy hormones, the stretch marks, and the swollen ankles, but truthfully, nobody told you that your feet might grow half a size, or that your belly button becomes an outie, not an innie! And then there’s the comments from strangers on how big your bump is: “Are you sure there’s not more than one baby in there?” … Seriously!

Here’s the thing, the average woman’s uterus is about the size of a peach, but during pregnancy it stretches to about the size of a watermelon. Perspective is everything! Turns out your body is doing exactly what it is supposed to do. So beautiful mama-to-be, it’s time to celebrate what your body is capable of.

Don’t fall into the comparison trap. Never analyse your body against someone else’s, in real life or on social media. Surround yourself with people who love you and who are as excited as you are to bring a new life into this world.

Take care of yourself, get plenty of rest and eat only healthy, nutritious food as you and baby continue to grow. Off course, you’ll want to check in with your doctor before engaging in any workout routine, but exercise provides an endorphin rush, boosts energy, and leads to a more positive outlook post-delivery.

Gestating a baby for nine months is certainly full of surprises, but it’s also pretty darn cool. Two words: Pregnancy sex. There’s a lot of extra blood flow during pregnancy and that extra blood flow can cause certain things to be a little more, shall we say, intense?

Also, think about it, you’ve got an excuse to live in yoga pants, and your belly can actually double as a built in shelf for endless cups of tea and plates of cookies …. Amazing! And then, off course, there will be admiration as the “girls” get bigger. (Enjoy those ladies while they last!).

Your body is charged with a powerful mission, and it needs to make some very big changes to accomplish an absolute miracle. As this experience is different for everyone, you can’t exactly predict what these changes will look, or feel like. So, however your pregnancy unfolds, please be kind to your body – not only in the way you treat it, but in the way you feel about it.

Loving and caring for your body is a great stepping stone throughout motherhood.

Enjoy the ride!

Source: aaptiv.com, mother.ly, strugglesofafitmom.com, romper.com, parents.com, todaysparent.com, emilyskyefit.com

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.