The Importance Of Body Image During Pregnancy

Body Image Another issue first-time mothers deal with is bodily change and image. All women will experience feelings of insecurity about themselves at some point in their lives (Bauer, Berge, Loth, Neumark-Sztainer, & Wall, 2011). Pregnancy, especially the first-time, can cause women to have experiences of distress, liberation, or merely stay neutral about their body image (Bauer, Berge, Loth, Neumark-Sztainer, & Wall, 2011). One of the major changes in body image during pregnancy is an increased weight gain, which many women view as negative (Bauer, Berge, Loth, Neumark-Sztainer, & Wall, 2011). Studies show women who gain a larger amount of weigh during their pregnancy showed a decline in bodily satisfaction (Bauer, Berge, Loth, Neumark-Sztainer, …show more content…
For many, first-time parents express an expectation of joy, fulfillment, pleasure, and excitement (Durkin, Harwood, & McLean, 2007). During pregnancy, these optimistic expectations have been associated with reduced negative effects, more positive mood states, and adaptive behavior (Durkin, Harwood, & McLean, 2007). Although these positive expectations have been linked with greater psychological health during pregnancy, they have the potential to substantially increase the negative reaction when expectations are not met (Durkin, Harwood, & McLean, …show more content…
As a woman transitions through life into a first-time mother, she needs to understand she may experience both good and bad times during this stage (Moore, et al., 2003). While pregnant, the first-time mother should be “flexible and adjust to the demands” this stage in her life has (Moore, et al., 2003, p. 71). For the counselor, it is important to be knowledgeable in the physical, emotional, and spiritual transitions the first-time mother will