Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

I am actually really excited to have a baby bump and start to actually look pregnant! I think it's pretty incredible what our bodies are capable of. Of course anything that we go through with our changing bodies is totally worth it in the end.......

But, is anyone else (first time moms in particular) scared sh!tless?! I am just worried that my body will never look the same again! I'm worried that even though with plenty of exercise, etc I can get back into shape, I will be too exhausted from taking on the new roll as mom to get myself back to where I want to be. I'm just really afraid of nothing fitting the same way, having to buy a completely new wardrobe.. and looking back at old pictures of myself and just feeling sad . I'm totally ready for the body-challenge that pregnancy has to offer.. but what I'm totally not prepared for is when the pregnancy is over.

I'm just afraid I'll never look the same again.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

It is such a scary thing to have your stomach stretched sooo much, without your control, lol. I have seen all of the pregnancy changes being 39 weeks now. My body is gonna be like a puzzle that needs to be put back together. I definitely feel the task of getting back into shape is daunting but I am VERY motivated to do so.

Also, I know 3 women who have had babies and look better than they did before! They really look amazing and you would never think they have children. These women are what keep me positive b/c if they can do it, so can I


It might be a ton of hard work and dedication but I think our LO's are worth it

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Since I got married 2 years ago and with the baby I have put on a total of about 45-50lbs. I really can't see myself ever looking the way I did when I got married but I am going to try to do what I can!! I can't really picture what I am going to look like after the baby is born. I gained all of my weight in my belly (maybe a few lbs on my legs and arms) But my belly has ALWAYS been a problem area for me. It really is scary but I hope that by BF and it being summer and being able to walk around with the baby I will lose SOME weight

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

i'm a little nervous but not so much.... like a pp said, i also know people that look better after having a baby than they did before! i think in general new moms are pretty active running around with the new baby, and once they become mobile and crawling and stuff you will really be moving a lot! also if your breastfeeding, that really burns a lot of calories.

i think i'll have to make a concious effort to watch what i eat and go for lots of walks and stuff when the baby is here. i am hoping to be one of those ladies that looks better after kids than before.

eta: but i do worry a bit about how my vag. will be after popping a baby out!

Message edited 5/16/2010 2:01:39 PM.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Most of my friends look the same (and yes, even some better!) than before they had children, so I know with some hard work, it's possible.
My mom also bounced back after both kids. Granted, she's always been naturally smaller than I am, but I'm hoping some of those genetics will come into play.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Posted by BayB614


eta: but i do worry a bit about how my vag. will be after popping a baby out!

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

From a BTDT perspective. Your body will change, for most it will take close to a year to start looking and feeling like yourself again completely. However, that doesn't mean you can't still be super hot even during the transition phase while you are working on getting back to your pre-baby body. Don't get lost in the world of new mommy and forget to do things to make you feel good. The first few months post baby can be difficult in so many ways. One is the feeling of losing your pre-baby body. It is ok to take some time for you to feel good. The mommy guilt can be a strong force but always remember a happy, healthy mommy makes for a happy, healthy baby.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Posted by BayB614

Posted by LoriH

From a BTDT perspective. Your body will change, for most it will take close to a year to start looking and feeling like yourself again completely. However, that doesn't mean you can't still be super hot even during the transition phase while you are working on getting back to your pre-baby body. Don't get lost in the world of new mommy and forget to do things to make you feel good. The first few months post baby can be difficult in so many ways. One is the feeling of losing your pre-baby body. It is ok to take some time for you to feel good. The mommy guilt can be a strong force but always remember a happy, healthy mommy makes for a happy, healthy baby.

thank you for sharing... i will try to remember to take some mommy time... and new haircuts and mani's always make me feel good!

however, i did notice that you totally avoided commenting on the vag. situation. we should be scared, huh? j/k!!

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

I am so excited for it I can't stand it!!! I am not foolish in thinking my body will look exactly as it did before. And to be honest although I was (relatively) thin and in great shape it's not like my body was perfect before so perhaps that makes it less daunting. I never really liked how I look pregnant so anything else will be better compared to this.

I am really looking forward to the challenge! I am actually excited to go back to ww and REALLY excited to work out the way I used to. I am just making very small realistic goals for myself and hopefully it will work out. Only time will tell though.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

def.
i gained a lot in this preg. and i hope that i will be able to be somewhat normal looking after
i have hope because my sister just had twins and she looks amazing.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Well, since I've BTDT I can say I am not scared. I gained 56 lbs with my first pregnancy and lost all but around 5 lbs. I am "naturally thin" but even for me it took a while to get back to looking good. The weight came off but it took a while to get toned. I have pics in my pregnancy album... took 8 months before I felt normal again. My best advice would be not to expect things to go back right away.

As for the vajayjay... mine was swollen to the size of a bowling ball (ok, maybe i'm exaggerating a little) and torn... and I didn't even have a v-birth. But everything went back to normal.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

I'm so scared. I've gained 22lbs since we got married by the time I got pg, I think a lot of that I can contribute to going though IF treatment. I've gained 6lbs during the pregnancy and I already had weight to lose before this. I'm so scared, i know I need to be serious. I cry all the time, and DH says I look great but I don't feel great. I hope nursing will help shed the baby lbs, and than I'm back in weight watchers asap.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

All my friends who have had babies have pretty much lost all the baby weight & look just as good as they did before being pregnant.

Some look even better - one friend of mine gained 80lbs while she was pregnant & is smaller than she was freshman year in h.s.

It's all about how much time & effort you put into it.

I am very motivated to start ww & getting into a gym routine. I plan on taking advantage of my maternity leave as much as I can.

So unless I want to be miserable I know what I need to do to make me happy.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Yes, I am!
But as I approach the end, and I see myself naked in the mirror, I am starting to feel better.
My body has not changed other than a bump in the front and bigger boobs (which I only WISH I could keep as a "push present" )
My hips, butt, legs, arms, all still look the same.
In fact, last night, I could actually visualize my body without the bump- and it made me feel better.

Bottom line- I know plenty of girls who went back to looking the same as they did pre-baby. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen.

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Posted by MangoMama

Posted by BayB614


eta: but i do worry a bit about how my vag. will be after popping a baby out!

Me too

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

Posted by NervousNell

Posted by MangoMama

Posted by BayB614


eta: but i do worry a bit about how my vag. will be after popping a baby out!

Me too

I am about to start another thread about this issue! I squatted over a mirror yesterday and I am scarred for life right now!

Re: Anyone else scared of what to expect post-baby? (body related)

I agree with what everyone is saying. Right now I feel like a whale. BUT I know I will be able to exercise and take care of myself. It may take time, but the weight will come off. I actually know plenty of girls who lost the weight and they don't even work out half as much as I do. SO, I will just have to stay motivated and once baby is mobile we will be going on many adventures together. We will be exercise machines

Plus, chasing around after my has got to be a Bonus. I can't imagine he will stay still ever.