Looking for how to feel beautiful while pregnant?
Between all of the changes during pregnancy like weight gain, stretch marks, swollen ankles, and acne, it’s not uncommon for moms to be to have some feelings about their body.
And while some women may feel like beautiful fertility goddesses, others may not feel that pregnancy glow.
Many of us struggle with self confidence and body image which can be even more difficult to handle with our changing bodies.
While most of us would love to have the picture perfect, adorable, belly only pregnancy, let’s face it that isn’t always how it works out. And whether we are actually gaining all over or not, we may not feel great about our body changes.
So for the moms to be who are feeling fat or ugly or just blah, you are not alone. Lots of us have been there at one point or another during our pregnancies.
Your body is doing something amazing and you deserve to feel that gorgeous glow everyone raves about.
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Here are some tips to help when you’re feeling unattractive during pregnancy:
In This Guide:
Invest in Some Flattering Maternity Clothes
It can be tempting to just try to get by with your pre-pregnancy clothing, but for many women your old clothes will not cut it. Feeling like you’re spilling out of your jeans is not going to help your self esteem.
During early pregnancy, you may have had luck with larger and stretchy clothes. After a certain point, sizing up in shirts to accommodate your growing belly can mean poorly fitting tops that feel frumpy and unflattering.
Get some maternity basics that are versatile and fit well. Take the time to try on some different styles and see what makes your feel best.
, can be very flattering as well.You don’t need tons of new clothes to get through pregnancy, but finding some pieces that are cute and comfortable can help you feel better about your overall appearance.
READ Tylenol and Pregnancy: Is It Really Safe?
Pamper Yourself
Your body is doing some hard work so give it a little extra TLC. Indulging in some comfort and care for your body can make you feel a bit better too. So do things that make you feel good!
Do you love a nice soothing bubble bath? It can also help relieve some pregnancy aches and pains so take a long soak in the tub with your favorite book or tunes.
Splurge for a mani-pedi! Whether you DIY or hit the salon, take advantage of those strong pregnancy nails. You may not be able to reach your toes any longer, but your feet will probably love a pedicure!
Enjoy a prenatal massage. Many women find massage to be beneficial to the mind and body and these benefits can be continued during pregnancy.
Massage can help you relax and relieve joint and back pain, headaches, swelling, and sciatica. Make sure your massage therapist knows that you’re pregnant and ideally is trained specifically in maternal massage.
READ What to Pack in Hospital Bag for Mom to Make Delivery Easy
Hair, Makeup, & Shoes
While it can feel like your entire body is changing, you may still have luck feeling pretty when it comes to your hair, makeup, and shoes. They might still be affected by your pregnancy, but often to a lesser extent.
Show off your gorgeous locks!
Pregnancy can actually make your hair thicker! Many women feel that their hair is shinier and grows faster during pregnancy as well.
So take advantage of your hair looking better than ever. Even if you don’t want to head out to the salon, taking the time to do your hair, however you like it, can help you feel beautiful.
If you usually wear makeup, don’t let pregnancy stop you.
There are lots of makeup options that are safe for pregnancy, you can see a great list from What To Expect here.
Not only can makeup help you feel more like yourself, but it can also camouflage pregnancy related acne or bags under your eyes from your insomnia.
You may notice skin changes which can alter which products you want to use. Pregnancy can make your skin either more oily or more dry.
Don’t underestimate the power of a new pair of shoes.
Ok, so that may be overselling shoes a bit, but hear me out – new shoes can make you feel both cute and comfortable.
Swollen feet are super common during pregnancy so comfy shoes are a must, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be fun or stylish!
I wouldn’t go overboard with new shoes since your size might go up during pregnancy and may or may not go back to your old size after. BUT I find it essential to make sure I have one great pair of shoes!
Personally, I prefer a pair of super comfy and adorable flats like these
Focus on Health
I know, I know. When you’re pregnant the last thing you feel like doing is eating healthy or exercising.
Of course we know it’s important, not to mention good for the baby. But we’re using craving a bowl of macaroni and cheese rather than a kale salad.
That being said, taking care of yourself also makes you feel better about yourself. Exercising, eating healthy, drinking water, and getting plenty of sleep are all great ways how to feel beautiful while pregnant.
Little things throughout the day add up. Look for small changes you can make.
Get a Fitbit
Go to bed early.
Snack on something healthy rather than junk food.
Skip the soda and reach for sparkling water instead.
Trust me, your brain and body will thank you for it.
Take Flattering Photos
No matter how unattractive you feel, do NOT avoid the camera.
You may not believe it now, but there will be a time when you want to remember your pregnancy. You’ll forget your swollen ankles and double chin. Instead, you’ll just remember feeling those sweet kicks and tumbles inside your growing belly.
At the very least, your children will love to see pictures of when you were pregnant. So bring a big smile and say ‘cheese’ for the camera.
If your budget allows, I highly recommend finding a local photographer for a maternity photoshoot. In my mind, there is no better way for how to feel beautiful while pregnant.
Professional photographers can guide you in the best poses and angles for a truly flattering and stunning outcome.
Don’t forget a gorgeous dress for the shoot (I love this one
But even for every day photos, here are some posing tips to make you look and feel your best:
- Natural light (think outdoors or near a window) is your friend. It will make your skin look more natural and less blotchy.
- Lift your chin up slightly to elongate the neck and avoid a possible double chin appearance.
- Angle your body slightly to the side and arch your back to improve your posture.
- Use your limbs to create angles (bend one leg slightly, point your toe down, or bend your elbow).
- Avoid resting your arms directly against your torso as it can make them appear thicker.
- Use your hands to pull in extra shirt/dress fabric and accentuate your belly. This draws attention to your bump and away from other areas.
- If taking a selfie, hold the phone higher than your face and angle it down to face you
Try to Keep Perspective
At the end of the day, remember that pregnancy (and the lovely “glow” that comes with it) is temporary.
In a few months, you’ll be able to breathe again. You’ll be able to hold your bladder again. The invasive monthly weight checks will be a thing of the past.
Feeling bloated sucks, I know. But you’re almost done!
Remember that you are a rockstar, mama. You’re growing a baby, a living creature, inside of you!
That fact alone makes you the prettiest, sexiest mama we’ve ever seen.
