AllThingsNew: ramblings on pregnancy & weight gain

Being pregnant brings on so many body changes. Everything seems to be growing these days and I'm not just referring to my belly. I had my 24 week appointment on Tuesday and weighed in having gained 12 pounds total since the beginning of my pregnancy. At 24 weeks my doctor tells me I am right on track with my weight gain and am supposed to gain between 25-30 pounds total (give or take). To be completely honest, seeing the scale go up every time I weigh myself has been challenging for me; both emotionally and for my self esteem. This time around when my doctor told me I had gained 12 pounds, I have to tell ya, it seemed like a huge jump since my last appointment! I've really been praying for peace about the changes going on in my body throughout this pregnancy and am trying to let go of my body image; realizing that right now I just need to be healthy for my baby. After I have the baby I can focus on getting back in shape, but right now..... my main focus needs to be what is best for baby and his growth.

Society doesn't make gaining weight during pregnancy easy either. I see articles everywhere about "staying fit during pregnancy" or "staying thin during pregnancy." You look in pregnancy magazines and all you see are thin pregnant ladies. Each of us was created differently and each of our bodies will do it's own thing when we are pregnant. I know some women are naturally thinner than others and barely gain any weight during pregnancy but, I need to remind myself that I am different, my body type is different, and my pregnancy is unique - as everyones' is. I need to get past the number on the scale. Don't get me wrong, pregnancy is no excuse to over eat and gain an excess amount of weight just because you are "eating for two!" but I need to allow my body some grace and freedom to do what it was created to so perfectly do (make a baby). I am just trying to refocus my thoughts on enjoying this miracle as it grows inside of me. After all, only about 4 months (or less) left and we get to meet our baby boy!

Coping with all the emotions during pregnancy is a daily thing (I know a lot of this has to do with hormones!) and I'm not complaining. I'm not even being negative about this whole thing, just simply working through the motions.

For all you mothers, how did you cope with these thoughts? I'm sure I'm not the only one with these struggles, right?! I'm so happy to be pregnant! Actually, I am ecstatic and wouldn't trade it for the world but these are just some of the not-so easy parts of being pregnant. For me at least.