Pregnancy causes many changes in your body. Some of these changes can be difficult to deal with or very uncomfortable. Also, after giving birth, your body may take a while to get back to the way it was before, or it may never completely return to the way it looked before pregnancy. Although these changes are natural, some women may struggle with keeping a positive body image during and after pregnancy. You can learn ways to cope with feelings about your body’s changes during and after pregnancy.

Your body image is what you think and how you feel when you look in the mirror or when you picture yourself in your mind. This includes how you feel about your appearance; what you think about your body itself, such as your height and weight; and how you feel within your own skin. Body image also includes how you behave as a result of your thoughts and feelings. You may have a positive or negative body image. Body image is not always related to your weight or size.

For some women, pregnancy can cause body image problems they did not have before or make body image problems worse. During pregnancy, your body goes through several changes, including weight gain. Hormonal changes will cause your stomach and breasts to get larger as the baby grows and your body prepares for breastfeeding. You might develop stretch marks where your body gets larger. Sometimes your skin will break out with acne. You may also be much more tired than usual and have mood swings more often. A negative mood may make you more likely to have unhealthy or negative thoughts about your body.

Being comfortable with your body before pregnancy can help you get through the physical and emotional changes during pregnancy.

Women’s bodies are amazing for the ability to nourish and deliver a baby. Some of the body changes that come with pregnancy are uncomfortable, but they all support your growing child. Pregnancy does not last forever.

• Focus on the positive work your body is doing. Your body is changing to help your baby grow and develop. This is normal.
• Express your feelings. Talk with your partner, family, or friends about how you are feeling. Keeping your feelings bottled up will only make you feel worse.
• Get regular physical activity. A light swim or walk can help you clear your mind and get the focus off your body image.
• Try prenatal yoga (if your doctor, nurse, or midwife is OK with it). Yoga helps you focus less on how your body looks and more on the link between your body and your mind.
• Try a massage (if your doctor, nurse, or midwife is OK with it). Massage can relieve stress and anxiety and help you feel more comfortable in your own skin.
• Learn as much as you can about pregnancy. By educating yourself, you will know what to expect and feel more in control.
• Seek mental health support if you need it. There is no shame in reaching out for help. Do it for yourself and your baby. Talk to your doctor or nurse about where to find support.

Pregnancy changes your body in many ways. After your baby is born, your body has to adjust to being in a non-pregnant state. This will take time. Some women find that their bodies never completely return to the way they were before getting pregnant. That’s OK too. All women, whether they have children or not, experience changes in their bodies as they get older.

Breastfeeding as much as possible after childbirth will help produce the hormone oxytocin. One of the effects of oxytocin is that it helps shrink your uterus back to a smaller size. Choosing healthy foods and getting regular physical activity are the best ways to lose weight you put on during pregnancy. Join a gym that offers child care, or take your baby for a walk through the neighborhood. If you are breastfeeding, you will also burn more calories than usual.

Research shows that if you have overweight or obesity, your body image may improve if you participate in a weight loss program, even if you don't lose as much weight as you hoped. The weight loss program should include a focus on healthy eating and physical activity.

If you are underweight and have a negative body image, you can work with a doctor or nurse to gain weight in a healthy way and treat any other health problems you have. If you are eating healthy and getting enough exercise, your weight may matter less in your body image.

The more you practice thinking positive thoughts about yourself and the fewer negative thoughts you have about your body, the better you will feel about who you are and how you look. While very few people are 100% positive about every aspect of their body, it can help to focus on the things you do like. Also, most people realize as they get older that how you look is only one part of who you are. Working on accepting how you look is healthier than constantly working to change how you look.