Body Image Through Pregnancy & Postpartum: Finding Compassion for the Changing You
“I don’t even recognize my body anymore.”
It’s a phrase we hear often from clients navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or both. And if you’ve ever thought or said those words—know that you are not alone.
At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we specialize in helping women and birthing parents move through the emotional and mental shifts that come with motherhood—including the complicated relationship with body image.
Let’s talk about what so many are afraid to say out loud:
Pregnancy and postpartum can bring deep gratitude and deep grief for the body you once knew.
By Jennifer Doeden, LMFT- Metro Counseling and Wellness
“I don’t even recognize my body anymore.”
It’s a phrase we hear often from clients navigating pregnancy, postpartum, or both. And if you’ve ever thought or said those words—know that you are not alone.
At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we specialize in helping women and birthing parents move through the emotional and mental shifts that come with motherhood—including the complicated relationship with body image.
Let’s talk about what so many are afraid to say out loud:
Pregnancy and postpartum can bring deep gratitude and deep grief for the body you once knew.
The Reality of a Changing Body
From the outside, our culture glorifies the “baby bump glow” and the “bounce back” after birth. But in real life, many parents feel vulnerable, uncomfortable, or even betrayed by the changes in their bodies.
Some common experiences we hear include:
Feeling disconnected from your body or like it's no longer your own
Struggling with weight gain, loose skin, stretch marks, or surgical scars
Feeling pressure to return to your pre-pregnancy size—even while recovering and parenting
Shame about needing bigger clothes or noticing body parts that look or feel different
Avoiding mirrors, photos, or intimacy due to body discomfort
Comparing yourself to others (or your past self) on social media
These experiences don’t make you ungrateful. They make you human.
Why This Struggle Is So Common
Your body has been through a monumental transformation—growing, birthing, and nurturing a human. It makes sense that your identity and self-image would shift too.
But emotional factors also play a huge role:
Hormonal changes can amplify anxiety, sensitivity, and self-doubt
Sleep deprivation and stress can affect your mood and perception
Societal messaging about beauty and worth adds unrealistic expectations
Medical experiences like traumatic births, NICU stays, or fertility treatments can lead to feeling like your body has failed you
What you’re feeling isn’t vanity—it’s vulnerability. And it deserves care and support.
You Are More Than a Before-and-After
At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we help clients gently reconnect with their bodies—not as something to be “fixed” or “improved,” but as something to be understood and appreciated for all that it’s carried.
We’ll support you in:
Releasing comparison and perfectionism
Processing birth trauma, medical trauma, or fertility grief
Exploring how your body story connects with your identity, self-worth, or past experiences
Rebuilding trust and compassion toward your body
Learning how to regulate emotions when you feel overwhelmed by body changes
Gentle Ways to Care for Your Body—and Your Mind
You don’t have to love your body to treat it with kindness. Here are a few small ways to start shifting the conversation:
🧘♀️ Name what you’re feeling—without judgment.
Instead of “I hate my body,” try “I feel uncomfortable in my body today.” Language matters.
📸 Unfollow accounts that trigger comparison.
Curate your feed with real, diverse, and body-positive voices.
🌬 Practice nervous system regulation.
Breathing exercises, grounding, and self-compassion can reduce the stress response that often comes with body image triggers.
👖 Wear clothes that fit your now-body.
Clothing isn’t meant to punish you. Choose comfort over squeezing into “before” sizes.
💬 Talk to someone who gets it.
Therapy can provide a safe space to explore these emotions without shame or pressure to “just be grateful.”
You Deserve Support—Just As You Are
Whether you’re newly postpartum, many years out, or still on your fertility journey, your body image matters. It impacts your mental health, your relationships, and your sense of self.
At Metro Counseling and Wellness, we create a space where you can share your story, feel seen, and start healing—on your terms. You don’t have to carry this discomfort alone.
✨ Ready to take the next step?
Click here to learn more about our therapy services for pregnancy, postpartum, and body image support.
You are not a “before” or “after.” You are worthy in every version of your body.
Let’s honor the journey together.