One of the most challenging periods in a woman’s life is going through pregnancy. You carry a human life inside your body for 40 weeks. Some women look forward to it, relish it, and enjoy the ride from beginning up to giving birth while some aren’t maternally inclined to smile through all of it. Each trimester of a woman’s pregnancy brings a physical change that some easily shrug off while others see as a mountain to climb.
During the first trimester, when your hormones begin to act up, you may have tender breasts, nausea, vomiting, and you feel quickly tired all the time.
Your hormones somewhat even out during your second trimester. Around this time, the feeling of nausea may lessen. You’ll notice changes in your body’s shape and size, and while this happens, you may feel some back and joint aches. Some women may develop a brownish line down the belly and an uneven dark mark around the eyes, nose, and cheek. Pregnant women around this time may feel they’re beginning to look unsightly.
During your third trimester, you’ll become more visibly pregnant. You may walk wobbly since you’re getting bigger and heavier. Your baby may push your lungs, bladder, and stomach, causing shortness of breath, frequent urination, heartburn, gas, and difficulty sleeping.
These body changes are inevitable. So, to help women out there who are in this challenging situation and for those planning to have a baby soon, this page would discuss ways on how to cope with body changes during pregnancy.
1. Embrace Your Body Changes
You’re growing a tiny human inside your body—that in itself is a beautiful miracle! Being optimistic and looking forward to the change in your body will set a hopeful mood for the duration of your pregnancy. Toss away the negativity and accept that a beautiful thing is happening inside you.
2. Remember That Weight Gain Is Normal
An average-weight woman is expected to gain about 25-35 pounds during pregnancy. This is already expected, so if you want a healthy and bouncing baby, start conditioning your mind that you’ll gain this much.
3. Ditch The Scale
When you have a scale at home, it’s almost routine to hop on it and check your weight, so hide it! In that way, you won’t impulsively and constantly check how much you’ve gained. A scale, though helpful, is a horrible reminder of the weight you’re gaining but an unfair representation of your metamorphosis.
4. Use Exercise To Keep You In Shape
For most pregnant women, exercising is safe and healthy for you and the baby. But to be safe, it’s always best to consult your health care provider. Most healthy pregnant women may do 2 1/2 hours of moderate aerobic, walking, or swimming exercises per week. Exercising releases endorphins that can improve your mood, make you feel relaxed, and relieve your pain. Exercising can help you deal with stress and reduce the risk of depression.
You may also try prenatal yoga. This encourages mental centering and focused breathing, which is excellent preparation for childbirth.
5. Express Your Feelings
You must share your worries with people you trust such as your friends, sister, mother, or partner. Keeping your emotions bottled up may cause stress and anxiety to you and your baby. Talking about your feelings will give you relief and room to breathe. You may also find that talking to people who share the same experience as you could be helpful. It’ll make you feel that you’re not alone.
6. Don’t Compare Yourself To Others
Every woman’s pregnancy journey is different. No two pregnant bodies or pregnancies are alike, so stop comparing your bump with others. Also, it’s better to stop looking at social media. Social media feeds of pregnant celebrities are all curated, edited, and made to look perfect. It won’t help to compare yourself with them. Remember that there are several factors to consider in the physical transformation of a pregnant woman: genetics, body size and shape, and the environment. These are all variables you don’t share.
7. Wear Flattering Maternity Clothes
You can still look good during pregnancy, and you can do this by wearing clothes that’d accommodate your bump in a flattering way and not just buying regular clothes in bigger sizes. You can still be fashionably pregnant and trendy at the same time without breaking the bank by looking out for quality and stylish maternity jumpsuits, dresses, jeans, leggings, and even swimsuits from maternity shops sprouting everywhere.
8. Pamper Yourself
You deserve a full-body massage. Don’t feel guilty booking that appointment with your hairdresser or buying that luscious and heavenly body butter. Anything that’d make you feel better and cared for is welcome in your pregnancy journey. Do this now because it might take you a while to do all of these when the baby is born. Pampering yourself may reduce, delay, or even prevent health issues from occurring, including depression.
9. Surround Yourself With Support
If this is your first pregnancy, you need all the help that you can get. Support from family and friends is essential for your physical and mental well-being. If you live far from them, there are a lot of online support groups that’d welcome you with open arms. Reach out to them, make new friends, and widen your network. This will help you cope with your pregnancy journey.
Conclusion
Nine months of carrying a tiny human inside your body could take its toll on you. The journey isn’t easy, and the difficulties you may experience may be taxing. But everything would all be worth it when you have that tiny, precious little human in your arms. Any woman could attest that all the challenges and hardships would melt away and be forgotten the minute you lay eyes on your baby.
