I'm struggling with my new body. I'm 20 weeks and a couple days, so my body is quickly changing. I think it hasn't really hit me until now because I've just worn work clothes or comfy clothes, but we have a wedding this weekend. I tried on dresses, and I just look....not like me. My boobs are huge, I have this bump that seemingly came out of nowhere, and it shows in everything I wear now. I love my bump, but I'm not used to it. The dresses I tried on...I don't feel like I like the way they fit. I'm afraid people will look at me and think I had one too many cheeseburgers instead of oh, hey, she's pregnant. I mean, I SHOULD have a bump cause I'm pregnant, right? Like, it's totally ok to show this off?
I dunno, I'm rambling. I just don't feel like me anymore and I don't know how to deal with that.
Post by wanderingenough on May 21, 2015 7:47:04 GMT -5
I'm kind of in the same place at 18 weeks. I'm not in maternity clothes yet but I'm feeling and looking a little chunky in my normal clothes. I've found that just wearing a bigger size while I'm in this middle bump/no bump phase helps me feel better. Could you check tjmaxx/target/somewhere inexpensive for a dress for the wedding?
I had a hard time while I was transitioning from the "looking fat" phase to the "definitely pregnant" one. I'm still trying to figure out the huge boobs, lol. I felt much better when I started wearing maternity pants, I think they're more flattering.
For a wedding, I'd choose a style that shows off the bump, instead of hiding it. You'll feel much better, and there are a lot of great choices. Check out Asos or Seraphine.
I agree that one I started to show off the bump instead of hide it, I felt better about my body. So look for something that shows it off! You're pregnant, it's okay!
Thanks guys. I don't have time to order anything online, and I really, really hate to buy a maternity dress that I'd literally wear only once. I have probably two options at home that would work, but when I wear them, I feel like I look chunky and not pregnant. Maybe I just need to get the hell over that!
I have had some issues adjusting. Like, I know I'm not fat. My boobs are huge (new territory for me completely) that adds to the feeling of fat. And I normally gain weight in my ass/thighs. I tried to frame it to my H like "it's just like this isn't my body. I have to move different, sleep different, wear different types of clothes, my belly gets in the way and I forget about it."
I get you. I will say now that I am fully in the obviously pregnant stage it's better. Or maybe I've had time to adjust. But still weird sometimes! Lol
It's no wonder you're feeling a bit crummy about things - your body is in that really awkward phase right now. Try an inexpensive wrap dress that flows out a little bit from your bump. Patterns help at this stage if you want to camouflage, more form fitting dresses with a belt to cinch above your bump will accentuate if you want to accentuate it and make it more prominent. You kind of have to go to either of the extremes at this stage otherwise you'll just feel frumpy.
I'm having issues, too. I love my belly, but I feel like the rest of me is growing, too, and I'm not so happy about that. Getting dressed every morning is difficult. Adjusting is difficult.
I will say that, yes, it's totally okay to show your bump off. Wear something that fits and makes you feel good, whether it be maternity or otherwise.
I'm having all the same issues, but I think I'm having them earlier than many of you. I'm not yet 14 weeks, and I feel like I've been saying these things for a couple weeks already. I'm short and have a short torso, and was visibly pregnant by 11 weeks unless I tried really hard to camouflage it with scarves, blazers, the works. I keep telling Calvin, it's fucking weird, man. The whole thing.
20 weeks for me was right around my niece's bday. I remember looking at pictures from her party thinking I just looked fat and bloated and I cried so hard about it. I didn't feel pregnancy cute at all. I think it's totally normally and hopefully it will pass for you as it did for me. Also, remind yourself your body is doing an amazing thing - you're creating a human! That's a freaking miracle! Hang in there!
Asos has express 2 day shipping. I think it might be free with $200 or something. I found that I looked horrible in non-maternity clothes so a maternity dress will really show off your new figure.
I too am going to suggest springing for a maternity dress. It really helps make the bump look like a baby at that stage. I also imagine that you might have occasion to wear it again at some point over the course of the summer (your shower, bday parties, etc), assuming you don't need an overly formal gown.
Alternately, do you have any friends or family who are a size up from you that you could borrow from? At the 20 weeks stage I could still get away with some of my normal dresses if they had a higher/empire waist or were rushed and stretchy through the middle. Anything else looked blah.
You might also be able to find something local used online. There is a lot of maternity wear available that way in my area.
Did you see my wedding dress meltdown last week?!? It's so hard. I think in general clothes that show off the bump can look better, but it's all what makes you comfortable. Do you have a friend you can borrow a dress from?
boiler717 I'm not sure I have any friends who'd have something that would work for me. I really only have one day to figure this out. The wedding is Sunday, but we have plans Saturday and I won't be able to get out shopping or to see anyone.
I do have a couple of options that are ok and will fit properly, I think. If not...I'll have to make it work!
I didn't want to shop for this wedding a long time ago because I wasn't sure how big I'd be, and now that the time is here, I'm out of time! lol figures.
ugh this was me yesterday. I ordered a bunch of basics online thinking "how hard could it be to just grab some tshirts and tanks"
um. really hard. really freaking hard apparently. nothing fit. I looked like a whale in everything and it was all too tight. I cried more than I'd like to admit.
I am 14+4 and seriously just look fat. I didn't realize I was having such a hard time with it until yesterday. I just don't feel like myself.
ugh this was me yesterday. I ordered a bunch of basics online thinking "how hard could it be to just grab some tshirts and tanks"
um. really hard. really freaking hard apparently. nothing fit. I looked like a whale in everything and it was all too tight. I cried more than I'd like to admit.
I am 14+4 and seriously just look fat. I didn't realize I was having such a hard time with it until yesterday. I just don't feel like myself.
So glad I'm not alone in this.
Don't you wish you could drink right now? I know I do!
ugh this was me yesterday. I ordered a bunch of basics online thinking "how hard could it be to just grab some tshirts and tanks"
um. really hard. really freaking hard apparently. nothing fit. I looked like a whale in everything and it was all too tight. I cried more than I'd like to admit.
I am 14+4 and seriously just look fat. I didn't realize I was having such a hard time with it until yesterday. I just don't feel like myself.
So glad I'm not alone in this.
Don't you wish you could drink right now? I know I do!
haha I don't drink anyway, but it made me want to go spend 2 hours doing a hard workout and I certainly can't do that either.
I went through a few phases when I was down on my body and just felt fat instead of pregnant, I think right around that point.
I went on a cruise when I was about 17/18 weeks and I just gathered some empire waist dresses I had and went out and bought an empire waist maxi from old navy. They weren't maternity but the empire waist seemed to show off my bump without showing off my lumps.
Post by jennistarr1 on May 21, 2015 15:17:26 GMT -5
It was tough for me too...I have always been self conscious about my tummy and that is what gets bigger...focus on what you like...hair, face, legs and tell yourself you are beautiful
Post by brandienee on May 21, 2015 18:12:12 GMT -5
I don't feel like I am living in my body right now.
I am 24 weeks and still feel fat, and I am assuming that it's just going to get worse. I try make sure I am heathy and moving around. (Walking and Yoga exc) But I am tired and candy tastes sooooo good.
One thing I need to do is just accept myself in the moment and know that I am not my beauty. (or whatever that is).
I totally understand. The in between stage is not my favorite either. I have been showing much earlier this time, but I know last time I didn't start loving my bump until 25 weeks or so. Once I was noticeably pregnant, I LOVED my bump and preferred wearing more form fitted tops and dresses.
Try on a couple different styles of dresses (fitted, flowy, etc.) and wear whatever makes you feel the best. I bet you'll start feeling more "home" in your bump in a few weeks
Post by hbomdiggity on May 21, 2015 22:04:24 GMT -5
I'm sorry.
I had put on some pounds before the bfp, so I think it helped that now I had an excuse. And I ended up telling people fairly early so I embraced maternity clothes very early on.
But I also recall the last minute trip to the mall the day of a wedding. I didn't end up buying anything and ended up wearing a dress I had. It wasn't what I had in mind at all, but my friends were super sweet and gave me lots of compliments.
I ended up running to Target last night, and bought a plain black maternity dress. It's as plain as they come, but it fits and I think I look ok in it. I'll dress it up with cute shoes and jewelry and I'm good to go.