Baby body and self esteem

A great friend of mine asked me to look into baby body and self esteem. How do women cope with the dramatically and socially unacceptable changes that happen when they are pregnant?  Women are "supposed to be" thin, smooth, and tight; pregnancy expands, wrinkles, and stretches.

Taryn Brumfitt, Founder Body Image Movement

It is perfectly normal to have an emotional reaction to the changes that occur in the body due to pregnancy, especially if you are the sort of person who is already very concerned about the way your body looks.

Now, full disclosure, this is an issue I never would have thought to cover because, up to now, I've not been overly concerned with the way my body looks. I want to be healthier and stronger but for pragmatic reasons (I want to live a long, full life and be able to take care of myself).  I'm not saying this to brag, it is just a fact. I've never been the sort of person who has had body image problems. I totally accept that pregnancy could change this and make me worried about the changes my body undergoes and so it is valuable for me to look into this issue now.

ONWARD.

First of all, there are women who are horrified at the thought of looking fat, even if only temporarily. Some women feel like pregnancy just makes them look fat and awful and they can't stand it.  I, of course, think pregnancy bump is super adorable and doesn't look "FAT"*. I think pregnancy should be a time to enjoy the power evolution has given us women. I wish everyone could be excited about the new life that is coming and not be burdened with the pain from body image issues.  It is hard for me to say what will happen.

So, moving on, pregnancy changes a woman's body, usually a lot. Weight is gained. Stretching occurs. Hormones can have all sorts of other interesting outcomes. The only "good" change I've ever heard is that your breasts swell and get bigger (not so good if you are already starting out as a G like I am.)  Everything gets bigger and more intense because of the baby.

Then, so I've read, after the birth women bleed for weeks, your vagina can be stretched or even ripped, hemorrhoids are common and some pee or mess themselves for weeks or months after.

MOTHERS: How do you prepare for this? How do you deal with this? How can you love your pregnancy, love your body, and love yourself?

Suggested Reading.

A blog from a mother explaining some of the changes her body has undergone because of pregnancy. http://www.mamamia.com.au/body-image/taryn-brumfitt-christmas/

Advice on dealing with body changes. http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/my-body/weight-gain/pregnancy-body-image/#page=2

A list of 'unexpected' body changes. http://www.babycenter.com/0_9-post-baby-body-changes-no-one-tells-you-about_10347025.bc?page=1


*(Disclaimer: I am not one to "fat" shame. In my experience there is no magic weight or body fat distribution that guarantees that a person will be unattractive to me.  I would also like to point out that other women don't owe me their attractiveness anyway and so them being or not being attractive does not effect how I value them.)