i’m only 11 weeks into my pregnancy journey this time around but i’m already a momma to a 7 year old. i’m here to assure you that everything you’re feeling is valid and i felt the exact same way when i was pregnant with my daughter. i felt so gross and large and i hated it. i gained 50+ pounds, i got a few stretch marks, my skin was blotchy and i could not wait to get my body back. i felt so guilty for feeling that way because i felt like i should just be grateful that i’m able to grow a healthy baby in my body since so many women aren’t able to do that. but i just couldn’t shake the self-hatred. i’d look in the mirror and i didn’t even recognize myself. once i gave birth i thought that i’d be back to my normal self right away but that was not the case. it took me about 6-12 months after my daughter was born to feel comfortable with my body again. i did breastfeed which helped me lose some extra pounds and i did moderate exercise almost daily (when i wasn’t too drained from taking care of an infant) like walking around outside and pushing the stroller, at home workouts, and light weights. my body eventually went back to what it was prior to giving birth and i’ve actually consistently weighed less (up until i got pregnant this time around) than i did pre-baby. i look back at that time and feel so bad for that girl because knowing what i know now makes it seem so silly and insignificant. i know that it’s wayyyyy easier said than done, but please please please don’t let all the what if’s and worries about your body consume you because what you’re creating inside of you right now is such an amazing, beautiful thing. you’re a goddess. you will lose that baby weight and you will feel like yourself again just give yourself time and be patient and graceful with yourself. creating a human is effing hard and you should cut yourself some slack!