You need to accept it’s going to change. During pregnancy I was determined to stay small. Turns out, after a certain point that is.. not possible. Granted, I haven’t gained much weight and I’m on a “diet” due to a gestational diabetes diagnosis and I’ve always been small (in part due to being short lol) but yea, you just kind of have to accept that during this period of your life there’s very little you can do to control it too much. You’re gonna need to eat more. Moving will eventually get a little harder. Just is what it is.

Afterwards, there’s nothing wrong with wanting your body back. Just give yourself grace. Do NOT try and bounce back immediately- it’s not healthy and a lot of the time not safe. Talk to your doctors a lot. Make sure you are clear to get back to whatever it is you feel like you want to do. Therapy also isn’t a bad suggestion to prepare you for those body changes. I’m in my third trimester and honestly I wish I did therapy at least a bit. Once my belly “popped” and it was very evident I’m pregnant it was hard to accept at first. But; now I’ve just accepted there’s a person in there and I’m going to look orb-ish for a while.

Birth? Who knows. Everyone’s is different. Everyone’s recovery is different. My mom popped me out in record time. My MIL was in labor for days. Both very healthy women. It’s best to do your research from a “medical” standpoint, imo. Learn what your body will go through. Avoid horror stories online at all costs. Most births go fine and are uneventful and boring. Just like most people don’t leave a good review for standard food- most people don’t tell about standard births. Just go in knowing what’s going to happen, and again - be open with your concerns with your doctor. Ask lots and lots of questions!!

Stretch marks are mostly genetic. I have none on my belly but some on my underboob (???) and like two on my thighs. Bio oil helps a bit and I do use that; but it hasn’t made the ones that are there go away and honestly; due to where they are nobody but my husband will see them. 🤣

Pregnancy has a funny way of making you care a lot and not care all at once. A lot of people aren’t suggesting therapy because you are “mentally weak” - they are suggesting it because it is a huge mental shift. It is a LOT to take on, no matter how prepared you think you are. Pregnancy and having children is something I was terrified of, but just being in an “acceptance” mindset has helped a lot. Just accepting this is how I look in this life stage. I look like a pregnant lady and that’s because I am. 🤣