https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:48:55 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-142941 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:16:18 +0000 mrs. wagon 142941@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsdaredevil: I just wanted to say... I know EXACTLY how you feel because it's EXACTLY how I felt. I never had a stretch mark in my LIFE (not even from puberty or anything) on my body... I only got a TINY bit of cellulite in the few years before I got pregnant... so even though I haven't always had the best figure, I took pride in the "perfection" of my body in that everything was at least smooth and pretty looking.</p> <p>My entire lower abdomen was totally ripped up and destroyed by stretch marks. I've never tried to count, but I know it would go well past the hundreds. I was extremely emotional about them and did so much research about them. I honestly think it's something you have to mourn and go through before you can start feeling better. </p> <p>I can tell you where I am today, 2 years 4 months after delivering. I still have a lot of loose skin, and the skin is nowhere near smooth, but just like everyone assured me ALL of the stretch marks faded to pretty much white. They used to be purple or red and DEEP and wide, but now they are white and very shallow. Most of the ones above the belly button, if you squint, you can't notice much anymore. Below the belly button is a different story since it's all saggy, extra skin. </p> <p>The GOOD news is that with this second pregnancy, I've only seen one or two TINY new stretch marks. Since I have all the extra skin and previous stretch mark damage, this time around my belly is actually almost presentable. The stretch marks are stretched out again but they are shallow and white, which is such a nice change from purple and deep and scary looking.</p> <p>As for weight... I have ALWAYS struggled to lose weight my entire life. I've always had such a problem. But I lost all but 5 lbs within the first 5ish weeks after delivery. I had no appetite and was exclusively breastfeeding. My face totally went back to normal within a couple of weeks, and even though my body will never be the same, the fast weight loss was a REALLY nice surprise and bonus. SO it's definitely possible that your weight loss will not be difficult. I just saw one of my friends at her daughter's 100th day party and she is even skinnier than she was at her wedding, and she was wearing a hot little black dress, pearls, and 4 inch heels. And she doesn't even work out. I think motherhood has just REALLY agreed with her. She looks INCREDIBLE!</p> <p>So know that you're not alone. I was SO miserable the entire last month, and in the last two weeks I swore I was going to die of impatience. Just hang in there and do whatever you can to cope and pass the time (for me it was going out to dinner every single night to somewhere different and fun... hence the extra 5 lbs! haha) or shopping for yourself or the baby. GOOD LUCK!! and keep us updated!!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-142928 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:58:00 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 142928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MsLipGloss: Wow, thank you! Everything you said is exactly how I feel. I know my looks do not define who I am, but I feel like it's a huge part of who I am, and now it's gone and I have a whole new body to adjust to. :(</p> <p>I admit to kind of wanting to delivery early too....but here I am at 38 weeks + 2 and no baby yet. It hasn't been until the past couple days that I have noticed stretch marks on my belly.</p> <p>@winniebee: Yep, we are totally in the same camp. Wonder if our abs will come back after pregnancy or if they're gone forever? I hear a lot of people bounce back fast, but then of course there are the horror stories of people who are still up 10-15 lbs a year after giving birth. :(</p> <p>Just as a quick update, I am having pretty bad anxiety again today. I just ate a bunch of spicy food and having been drinking a lot of raspberry leaf tea, but I think I am kidding myself thinking these things will work. My doctor will most likely tell me on Friday if I need to get induced or not, and part of me is just willing to do anything to get this all over with. :(<br /> I can't decide which I want more: this baby to be outside of me sooner rather than later or the natural labor I always dreamed I would have. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-142920 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:52:35 +0000 Mrsjets 142920@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This thread is awesome! Sometimes I think how unfair it is that I've lost my whole body (no stretch marks yet - but head to toe cellulite). I'm almost 30 and am 35 weeks + 3 and have gained 35 lbs already...I feel like I've lost every ounce of muscle too :(<br /> Then I remember how lucky I am that I've had such a perfect textbook pregnant with a perfectly average and healthy baby inside me that I feel a fool for being so selfish. It's only natural though. I'm glad you're feeling better mrsdaredevil, you're not alone :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-142666 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:17:09 +0000 MsLipGloss 142666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@WinnieBee: Big ((hugs)) for you too! When I am able to be objective about it (and not just depressed by it), the change is remarkable (almost mesmerizing) to me. My butt is also huge . . . it was the first place I noticed the weight gain, and the gain was so fast--like almost 2 jean sizes fast--that I have not even tried to wear a pair of maternity pants/jeans, as I just can't deal with having to try them on. I have worn maternity skirts to work, and I am usually in sweats, or a casual dress, on the weekends. And ditto re the belly . . . maybe because I expected that to change? (or, that was in the *acceptable* range of change in my mind?) </p> <p>I also have to admit (although I would only ever admit it here on HB), that I have (already!) secretly wished to deliver at 37ish weeks . . . enough so that I am full-term, but to spare my body the additional punishment of a couple of weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-142656 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:05:49 +0000 winniebee 142656@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsdaredevil: @MsLipGloss: When I look in the mirror lately I just have to laugh.....I too was very fit beforehand and had a six pack, etc. The belly I don't mind. But my butt is HUGE - as in, not sure if I can fit into maternity pants anymore - and I have cellulite all over my legs (including calves) and my arms. It's comical. Sort of. I just hope it melts away. Once 37 wks hits I'll be happy to have this baby arrive, for a variety of reasons! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-142652 Mon, 30 Apr 2012 16:02:37 +0000 MsLipGloss 142652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsDareDevil: I just wanted to say that I understand how you feel about your body. Even though your appearance is not who you are, it most certainly is part of who you are. It sucks, and no matter how happy and excited you are to change every other aspect of your life to have your LO, it seems so freakin' unfair that we are forced to sacrifice our bodies, too. I am only 22 weeks and I don't have any stretch marks, yet, although I am pretty sure I will get them, as my mom had a few from her pregnancies. I have also *grown* cellulite, almost down to my knees (literally overnight it spontaneously errupted), and I have put on weight so, so fast (20 pounds already). I worked so stinkin hard to take care of my body (flat belly w/six pack, toned hips/thighs/legs), and my appearance prior to getting pregnant (I am 36 and this is my first pregnancy), it is so hard to let it go and be at peace with it. </p> <p>So, I don't have any answers, but I just wanted you to know that you are certainly not alone, and to give you great big ((hugs)). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141355 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:58:14 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 141355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the tips/advice.</p> <p>I am doing my best, and I feel better today than I did yesterday. I spent the afternoon walking the mall/window shopping and bought some new makeup.</p> <p>I don't know why I got so emotional over the stretch marks, but it just seems that there are more and more every day and I start to get bitter because if baby was out they would stop growing!</p> <p>Thanks again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141349 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 16:49:15 +0000 chopsuey 141349@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Aww. I was really anxious and wanted my body back too! I kept willing my LO to stay in my womb until I was 40 weeks though! I wanted her to bake for as long as possible since I knew it was best for her.<br /> It'll be over soon!! And you'll have your body back and a beautiful baby to hold and love!! Hang in there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141286 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:26:45 +0000 winniebee 141286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@duckduckkristen: ditto to baby being the only thing I can think or talk about!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141276 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:51:49 +0000 Boogs 141276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My anxiety REALLY hit me when my water broke. It's perfectly normal to feel how you do. Is there anything you can do to relax your mind a little like maybe getting a pedicure or getting your hair done? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141275 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:51:28 +0000 duckduckkristen 141275@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm 38 1/2 weeks and I know how you feel! I can't stand not knowing when this baby will come. Ever since my midwife told me I'm 2 cm dilated I'm afraid to go out by myself in case my water breaks or something, which I know is just ridiculous. </p> <p>I also absolutely can not focus on anything not baby related and I think it's getting annoying to DH because he has some things he wants us to discuss/get done before the birth. </p> <p>I just keep reminding myself that I may never have the peace, quiet, and me time that I have now, so even though I'm uncomfortable, I'm just trying to enjoy these last couple weeks and do things for myself and remember that soon there will be a precious little baby in the house! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141274 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 13:50:10 +0000 winniebee 141274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Awww! I think all of your emotions are normal!! Last night I could fall asleep until after 3 am worrying about birth, being ready for birth, the first few weeks with baby etc etc. I couldn't turn it off. It is so hard waiting for birth to happen and just not knowing so much! No advice, but I sympathaize! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141247 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 12:59:58 +0000 heffalump 141247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was also sooooo anxious to just know when LO would come. And of course you can't know until it happens, so I wanted it to happen NOW! But my best advice for you is don't stress over the things you have no control of. Easier said than done, but really there's nothing you can do. Take advantage of your baby free time and relax while you can! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/severe-baby-anticipationanxiety#post-141008 Sat, 28 Apr 2012 01:20:10 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 141008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will be 38 weeks in a couple days and am experiencing severe anxiety waiting for this baby to come.<br /> I know I am not even past my due date yet, but thinking of the fact that I am still pregnant and really don't have control over when she is going to come is almost making me feel claustrophobic. I am finding that I can't focus on anything because I am so obsessed with thinking of ways I can just get this baby out of me.</p> <p>I am starting to become extremely emotional and I just want to have my body back. It has officially been taken over by stretch marks and they seem to grow with every hour. It absolutely kills me to know that I have no control over these (horrible) changes to my body and I feel like it will never be my own again.</p> <p>HELP. </p>