3 Tips for Coping with Body Changes in Pregnancy

By: Jennifer Rollin, LCSW-C, Therapist & Founder of The Eating Disorder Center

Body changes in pregnancy can be tough for some folks. This may be especially true for those who are in recovery from an eating disorder. However, due to our culture which is rife with anti-fat bias and diet talk, anyone can struggle.

The following are some tips from an eating disorder therapist, who has also personally experienced pregnancy and is a mom to a toddler and a newborn.


1. Advocate for blind weight checks at the doctor.

Now, it’s important to note that some doctors may not make this easy. However, it is your right as a patient to ask for blind weights and to stand on the scale backwards during your doctors appointments.

Often they will include the weight in the patient portal, so it’s helpful to develop a plan for how you will cope with this.

You can also ask your therapist to write you a note if you feel scared about asking your doctor about blind weights. Myself and my team of therapists at The Eating Disorder Center are always happy to advocate for our clients.


2. Buy clothing that fits your current body and that is comfortable.

I totally get it, spending money on maternity clothes is not always something that is do-able or feels like something you want to invest in. However, “buy nothing groups” on Facebook can be one way to get free maternity clothing. Also websites like Poshmark or Thredup are affordable options for used clothing to fit your changing body.

Personally, I invested in one nice pair of maternity leggings with a very stretchy maternity waistband to wear throughout my pregnancy and rocked a lot of larger t-shirts. I also purchased a few inexpensive maternity dresses. 

If you are wearing clothing that is too tight, it’s only going to serve to make you feel uncomfortable in your body. It’s so important to get clothing that fits and that you feel good in.

Doing a maternity photoshoot can also feel empowering for some! I loved mine with Wild Honey Photography in Edgewater, MD.


3. Remind yourself that your body is your child’s first home-how amazing is that.

I’m going to get emotional thinking about it and it’s important to remember that your body is your child’s first home. Your body is serving the amazing purpose of growing your baby and this is something to celebrate.

Your worth is not found in the appearance of your body or your clothing size. You are inherently worthy. Your body is doing an important job right now of growing your future child.

When your brain is ruminating on your body size or body changes, remind yourself of the amazing things that your body is doing in growing this child. Think about how you can practice kindness and compassion towards your body, even if you don't feel great about its appearance.

Now, a note here. As someone who previously experienced two back to back miscarriages before giving birth to my son–it’s important to be kind to yourself and your body if you have previously experienced pregnancy loss. It is not your fault. And you deserve compassion and support. Pregnancy loss can be devastating and it’s healthy and ok to take time and space to grieve.


4. Seek out a therapist who specializes in body image and pregnancy.

Seeing a specializing therapist for body image and pregnancy can truly be a game-changer.  General therapists typically don’t get much training in either topic. 

You deserve as much support as possible during your pregnancy journey. You don’t have to struggle with negative body image in pregnancy alone and without support.

Myself and my team of therapists at The Eating Disorder Center offer therapy for body image struggles and eating disorders in pregnancy. We also work in collaboration with other perinatal specialists in our care of clients.


The Bottom Line

Pregnancy can be tough on many fronts–from body image struggles for some, to nausea, food aversions, fatigue, and other physical and emotional symptoms.

You deserve to be kind to yourself and your body throughout this process. 

It’s important to note that you do not have to love the appearance of your body to practice kindness and compassion towards it.

Your body is doing the amazing thing of growing your child and keeping you alive, it deserves your kindness.

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The Eating Disorder Center is a premier outpatient eating disorder therapy center founded by Jennifer Rollin. We specialize in helping children, teens, and adults struggling with anorexia, binge eating disorder, bulimia, OSFED, and body image issues. We provide eating disorder therapy in Rockville, MD, easily accessible to individuals in Potomac, North Potomac, Bethesda, Olney, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Washington D.C. We also provide eating disorder therapy in Arlington, Virginia and virtually throughout Virginia. Additionally, we offer eating disorder therapy virtually in New York (NYC), Florida, Pennsylvania, and California. We provide eating disorder and EMDR trauma therapy in Rockville, Maryland and virtually throughout Maryland and Virginia. We provide eating disorder recovery coaching via Zoom to people worldwide. Connect with us through our website at www.theeatingdisordercenter.com ​