Health and Wellness

Being Body Positive- Before, During, And After Your Pregnancy

Before you get pregnant, loving your body image might help you cope with the physical and emotional changes that come with it. It’s not about how you look, but how you feel about yourself, to have a positive body image. This is especially important during pregnancy because your body will change in ways you can’t control. Understanding why your body is going through these changes is also significant.

‘A woman who is happy with herself will enjoy the physical and emotional changes that occur during pregnancy, look forward to the challenge of giving birth, and voluntarily accept the physical and emotional changes that occur after delivery.’

Love Your Body During Pregnancy

Knowing the body changes such as leaking breasts, stretch marks, increased metabolism, etc., are necessary for your baby’s development is reason enough to accept them!

Get To Know What The Body Is Doing For Your Baby! 

Your body begins to change as soon as your egg is fertilized and implanted in your uterus. These changes are a part of your baby’s development and growth. The placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic sac make up your baby’s fetal life support system. Hormones produced by the placenta are essential for a healthy pregnancy and infant. 

These hormones help in the preparation of your breasts for breastfeeding and are responsible for a range of bodily changes. Blood circulation will improve, which is necessary to sustain the placenta. This increase in blood supply is what gives you that lovely “pregnancy glow.”

Increased Metabolism 

Because your metabolism will increase, you may have food cravings and a desire to eat more. To feed both you and your baby, your body needs additional nutrients. The amniotic sac will be filled with amniotic fluid, and your uterus will grow. The amniotic fluid protects your baby from any bumps or falls during pregnancy.

Things you can do for being body positive during pregnancy:

Pampering: Give yourself a makeover or a body massage. Take a walk outside, go shopping, or relax in a warm bubble bath. Make the most of these precious nine months by focusing on activities that make you feel well.

Exercise: Exercise can make you feel fit, strong, and beautiful in your pregnancy. Unless your doctor advises otherwise, pregnant women should exercise for at least 30 minutes each day during their pregnancy. Always consult your doctor before beginning any workout regimen. 

Be in a good support network: Surround yourself with positive individuals is a good idea. Bad self-talk can have a negative impact on you. If you don’t feel like you’re getting the help you need, tell your friends and family.

Being body positive after pregnancy

Your body adjusts and returns to a non-pregnant state after delivery. Don’t expect a flat belly following your delivery because your uterus will take some time to shrink. Remember that your body has gone through a lot throughout pregnancy and birth and will need time to recover. Allow yourself to relax and catch up on some sleep. It’s fine to enlist the support of relatives and friends to look after the baby, so you may get some rest. Also, enjoy good nutritious snacks such as panjeeri, gondh ke laddoo, dry fruits, etc., to regain strength and build immunity. 

MomsJour offers some highly nutritious and delicious food items that supplement your daily diet and gives you postpartum strength. Explore the food items here!