Pregnancy weight gain is a sensitive topic and gaining 20-40 pounds is no easy feat even for the most self-confident. Weight itself can be a dangerous conversation but throw in pregnancy hormones, mood swings, and irritability, and you can be dealing with something more serious. We have pulled together some useful suggestions if this is something you or your partner are struggling with.
Throw the scale away
Scales serve an important purpose at the doctor/OBGYN’s office. They can measure how much you weigh and help your physician determine if you are gaining the appropriate amount of weight at the right time. However, if you find yourself transfixed by the number on the scale and constantly depressed at the consistency in which it creeps up, it is time to throw it away. Having a scale in your home can be useful until it becomes a hazard to your health.
Invest in clothes that fit
You may be trying to save money by not investing in maternity clothes just yet. Or you may be in that awkward in-between stage where you always look like you ate too much at Thanksgiving dinner. However, if you feel poorly about your weight and body image it may be worth it to go out and purchase some clothes that fit well (even if they’ll only fit for the next month or so). Your self-confidence is not always as logical as your financially savvy saving skills. If you don’t want to spend a lot, try buying jeans with a stretchy waistband and a comfortable sweater that fits well. Wearing clothes you feel good (and comfortable!) in is the key to feeling better about your weight. You may be surprised at how much slimmer you look once you change out of your partner’s ratty old sweatpants!
Aim to lightly exercise 30 min a day
As always, please consult with your physician before starting a workout program of any kind. However, if you do have the go-ahead, lightly working out for 30 minutes a day can do wonders for your mood thanks to the releasing of endorphins. In addition to being a mood stabilizer, working out can also help tone and strengthen parts of your body ultimately helping you prepare for an easier labor.
Ask your doctor for literature
Being educated about your weight makes a difference. If you read countless articles about how the weight you are gaining is healthy and is actually feeding and nourishing the growing baby inside of you, you may feel more inclined to feel good about yourself. At the end of the day, you are providing for a baby, and keeping him/her healthy and safe is your #1 priority. It is important to look at your body not as something different and strange, but as something strong and fearless. Growing a human takes fortitude and an immense amount of power. You are basically a goddess mama!
Talk to your family/ partner and ask for support
It is extremely important to keep your support system in the loop when you are feeling down. Your family, friends, and partner all want what is best for you and the baby. Clueing them into how you are feeling about your changing body and how you are struggling may open their eyes and help them understand how to best support you. Your loved ones care about you and will be the first to rally around you with love and encouragement if you let them.
