Pregnancy is that time in a woman’s life when her entire life seems to be changing. Not only is her body experiencing lots of changes in a very short period of time, but the realization that her life will never be the same starts to set in as well.
As a result, it is not surprising that, while sometimes well-intentioned, the unsolicited pregnancy advice that others dole out without thinking can start to make an expectant mom’s head spin. If you frequently find yourself in this situation, rest assured you are not alone.
#17 Weeks “Can’t believe this guy is about to be a big brother”
Mom-to-be Elisha Bakes has spoken about how she was bullied for the size of her pregnant belly, with commenters regularly calling it ‘gross’ and cruelling asking if she was ‘expecting a horse’. The 30-year-old blogger, from Melbourne, welcomed her second son Kaelen last month but claims the negative comments began when she was just 14 weeks along.
#23 Weeks “My skin is so much worse with a girl.”
Sharing a photo with her 64,000 Instagram followers to announce her pregnancy, Elisha claims dozens of comments told her she must have got the dates wrong because she looked “more pregnant,”.
#29 Weeks “Baby girl is the size of a butternut pumpkin!”
As she continued on her pregnancy journey, Elisha’s followers continued to comment on the growing size of her belly.
“I found out I was pregnant when I was six weeks along. I had just stopped breastfeeding my son and we fell pregnant straight away,” she told The Sun. “As this was my second pregnancy, I popped a lot sooner than the first time. I posted a picture when I was 14 weeks and people were saying I must have the date wrong and be much further along, or I was eating too much and not being healthy.
#30 Weeks “Not going to lie third trimester has hit me like a tonne of bricks”
“People would say hurtful things like, ‘Why is her bump so big? I better not get like this’, and that it was the biggest bump they’d ever seen. When I was six months along I would often get asked if I was due to pop any day. I would get a very surprised reaction when I let them know I was only 24 weeks.”
#32 Weeks “I’ve been a busy mama trying to get organised for baby girls arrival!”
Elisha adds that the continuously negative comments left beneath her pregnancy photos began to make her feel self-conscious, eventually seeking out other women who had experienced the same.
#38 Weeks “Feeling very uncomfortable and fragile. When I’m on my feet the tightening sensation is unbearable.”
“I had hundreds of messages from women who had experienced the same thing. They told me how they would get very anxious about people commenting on their bump and would make them feel very insecure and not be able to enjoy their pregnancy.” .LeNhung
#39 Weeks “So sore and emotional. I break down and cry a million times a day”
Elisha hopes that by speaking out about her experience, others will think twice before commenting on a person’s pregnancy. “I express my feelings in my posts,” she explained. “I like sending reminders that everyone carries differently, and there are many factors that determine how you carry, such as weight, height, your partner’s genetics, fluid and pregnancy conditions.”
“Baby girl couldn’t wait any longer and surprised me with contractions in the middle of the night. She’s on her way!”
“Birth weight was 4.04kg/8lbs & 14oz. We are so in love!”
“I get so many messages from women telling me how I have given them more confidence and make them feel better about their bumps. Comments regarding a woman’s size can really impact how they feel about themselves. Hormones are already running wild and adjusting to your changing body isn’t easy, so hearing hurtful remarks about your body can only have a negative impact.”
“3 months postpartum trying to embrace every extra curve and bump!”
“Focusing on my postpartum journey, getting stronger and gaining my confidence back.”
“No matter what size you are, pregnancy isn’t easy.”