Thanks so much for sharing and being so vulnerable and honest. I’ve followed you from very early days and I’m also 25 weeks pregnant. It’s nice to hear that I’m not alone with the body image issue. I feel so alone as I don’t think family and friends get it but it’s such a personal thing. So happy for you and enjoy your bubble. You’re not alone.

Congratulations! My baby is nearly 4 months old and my biggest recommendations are: to do a Hypnobirthing course. No matter the type of birth you have, it is so beneficial to use Hypnobirthing throughout! Secondly, read the book “Breastfeeding and the fourth trimester”. I only read it when my baby was a month old and it was such a regret of mine that I didn’t read it before she was born! The newborn stage is really, really hard! I wish someone would have been honest with me about that! BUT it does get easier/ you get better at it!! Good luck x

Congrats to you both Can’t help but find it funny how the reel I saw before this from @becauseimmissy_ was a boy pregnancy announcements too though! Please watch it and I hope you find it as hilarious and ironic as I did 😂

Firstly congratulations!! Best decision not to tell people your due date, I did on my first pregnancy and was overdue by 2 weeks those 2 weeks over were so overwhelming with everyone messaging and calling asking if baby was here yet. I wish I hadn't told everyone the date. xx

UGH I'm just so happy for you both! Smiling along with you <3

You’re doing amazing!! I hateedddd my body during pregnancy, didn’t feel sexy at all, spent the whole pregnancy in oversized hoodies and leggings pretty much so I can’t imagine how hard it must be for someone who had previous eating disorders/ mental health issues! Your emotion is showing how much you care for little bean already! You’re not alone and you’ll be the best mama X

You’re such a beautiful soul. Love you and huge congrats to you both! You’re going to make the best mum and thank you so much for sharing xxx

Congratulations lovely Steph! You’re gonna be an amazing mum ❤

Thank you so much for your vulnerability 💕I have an 11 month old son and am also recovering from Bulimia, and struggled in pregnancy with my first. It’s ok to not love your body in this season - not everyone gets or feels the “glow” and that’s ok. You do you. That baby loves you so so much. I appreciate my body now, but have a complex relationship with it. It has grown and fed my 11 month old son - which is a miracle by the grace of god and I’m so grateful. But it’s also hard, and that’s ok too - lots of help, love and a little prayer has helped. He was IVF, so that was a head **** as well. The mental health team are brilliant. Don’t feel ashamed to rely on them. Do what you need to do. You’re doing amazingly ❤xxx

I completely understand how you feel body wise. My son is now 4 years old, but when I was pregnant, I felt like Bella on Twilight and that this little perfect thing was sucking the life out of me. And my resentment towards myself, not my baby, was that I wasn't stronger. It was weird and I'm so proud of you for being honest about it now. I held those thoughts in, and full vulnerability, but it manifested into suicidal PPD because I felt like I wasn't good enough to be this perfect little humans mom, that I was a burden and that it would be better if I wasn't around. I got into therapy and have gotten through that shitty time, but I think if I had been honest with myself like you are now, it may have been avoided. I will say I'm so inspired by you already, your perspective on boundaries and safety is remarkable and this baby will be SO LUCKY to have you and Trev as their parents 😊😆 lysm!!! Thanks for including us in your journey!

Congratulations such wonderful news 👶🏻 ❤ Unplanned is absolutely not an unwanted baby, I have 2 ‘unplanned’ bundles of joy (also not married) and I believe they come to you at the right time. There is never a ‘perfect’ time as life changes so much when they arrive anyway and nothing can prepare you for it but your intuition kicks in. You were destined to be parents and will be amazing ❤ DW about not buying anything yet, they really don’t need much as babies and they grow ridiculously quick! My advice is to lean into every stage/change and do not be hard on yourself, it’s ok not to enjoy every second of it or every change that is going on, you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. At the end of the day as long as you and baby are fed, warm and well is all that matters, enjoy it xx

This was an incredibly beautiful and honest video, thank you so much for sharing! I definitely struggled with feeling like my body wasn’t my own during pregnancy. Postpartum body image can be really tough - at the same time as being in awe of what your body has achieved. I’d recommend having lots of comfy, loose clothes to pull on during those early weeks. And when you’re ready to leave baby for a little bit, going for a massage or getting your nails done can really boost your mood! Good luck and sending you lots of love ❤

So in awe of your honesty - you are so brave and will be a wonderful mother. Thank you for opening up about your journey with us all. Crying here with you 😅❤ So happy for you and Lewis - and I'm glad to hear that you have a strong support network! Good luck!! ❤

Awww love you so much little one - beautiful video 🥹 so excited for you and Lew xx

Thank you for sharing. You are so not alone with the mental health struggles while pregnant. It was some of my darkest times personally and I always felt like there was something wrong with me. But when you have that baby, nothing will compare to the love and joy you get from their existent I promise. Hang in there ❤

I had my first a little sooner than I thought at 27, I am only just starting to feel like myself 5 years later with 2 children in tow. Motherhood is a riiiiiide. Your body changes, your mind changes, your relationship changes. But it's ok, and sometimes it's ok to feel sad about change whatever that change is, does not mean you aren't happy and that it isn't wonderful. You will be great.

I've wanted to give up for about a year but never could commit. I have the worst hanxiety this morning and really feel like I need to fully commit now to giving up alcohol. Thank you for videos like this because it's so helpful.

Hi Steph, I’ve followed you for years and I’m overjoyed for you both 🥰 I’m also pregnant with my first baby, he’s an IVF baby so I feel very blessed. Sending love x

Thank you for sharing your experience with us <3. I am due in early 2025 as well, feeling both very grateful but struggling as well with not looking as I used to and not fitting in the clothes I feel most comfortable in.

I’m so so so delighteddd for you & Lew! 🥰 And thank you for your honesty & vulnerability 💛

I am also pregnant (a little behind you as I’m 20 weeks in a few days) and I couldn’t wait to watch this video so hear someone else’s perspective who’s going through it as pregnancy can feel so lonely. Similar to you i was really unwell in the first trimester and honestly most of the second up until about 2 weeks ago, and I really struggled mentally. I felt so low and anxious and like I was just failing. I also value things like eating healthily, going for walks, getting to the gym and generally being productive, and I felt like I was failing at all of those things (I work a full time corporate job in marketing - hybrid). I also struggled with the body image thing, which is really confronting as it feels like youre caring more about your body image than your baby but actually it a control thing (being out of control is a major trigger for me too). Even the boobs thing, I also didn’t have boobs pre pregnancy and now I do, and I associate my boobs getting bigger with gaining weight, which has been triggering. On one hand I’ve enjoyed the boobs but some days I find myself embarrassed of them. None of it makes sense! And I wish I could relate to women who feel sexy and incredible in their bodies. I find pregnancy amazing and wonderful but it is a lot to process in actually a relatively short period of time. And you’re trapped in it 24/7. I’m curious how you navigated the stages of feeling more “chubby” than pregnant. My bump is taking ages to form, and I kinda wanna just look properly pregnant. I’m hoping any day soon itlll happen! Anyway, just a long way of saying I really resonate with everything you said so I hope you get some comfort knowing you’re not alone. I felt less alone listening to you. We are both doing amazing ❤

Thank you for being so vulnerable and open with us ❤

As a new mum I can say it is perfectly normal for you to feel all the emotions you described & I’m pleased you are already being helped with your mental health as adjusting to motherhood is a massive task & you will go through a rollercoaster of emotions thanks to all the hormones but nothing you think or feel will be wrong & it will not change the love you have for your baby xx

Thank you so much for this video. I’m 18 weeks pregnant and related so much to the sickness/nausea/changing body whilst being incredibly grateful to be in this situation. It’s such a constant battle and seeing content like this is so helpful 💓

Oh wow Steph, you’re amazing. And you are not alone! I’ve had two babies, and after a PCOS diagnosis in my teens and being told I may never have children I am SO grateful to have my girls but that doesn’t mean pregnancy is easy and you aren’t allowed to find parts of it so so so dreadful and triggering. My first was quite ‘easy’, I didn’t dislike my body or suffer with anything apart from sickness at the start. Second time around, I really struggled with my body image and just wanted to hide away, my mental health plummeted because the entire pregnancy was debilitating from sickness, extreme acid reflux and other conditions. I thought I was being pathetic and ungrateful…but I wasn’t being. Pregnancy can be unthinkably difficult. Be kind and gentle with yourself. You’ve got this ❤❤❤

I am tearing up with you beautiful when you were explaining your experience. Thank you so much for your honesty I think it will make many women feel understood including myself. Couldn't be more excited and happy for you both.

Do you follow Ellen Fisher (5 healthy vegan homebirth pregnancies) or Hannah Mcneely on Instagram or KZbin? Alexandra Andersson is great too (KZbin). ✨️

Resonated with SO many things you’re saying in this video so thank you♥️. Currently 24 weeks with our unplanned but very much wanted baby. We didn’t tell a soul for months after we found out and even then that was only close family, and didn’t tell any of our friends until post 20 weeks. We’re happy but feels like mentally it’s taken a good few months for us to get our heads around the idea, to start to feel excited and to actually feel like this is happening and not like we’re waiting for the rug to be pulled out from under us. For various reasons I wasn’t sure I would ever be a mum and I love our baby boy so much already but also feel so guilty for not loving my body in its current state, feeling tired and not being able to move my body like I used to is so so hard. Thank you for normalising the realities that so many of us are experiencing ♥️

Congratulations! Thank you for oversharing and having the courage to do so. I am so happy for you both, and please know that you are not alone with your feelings about your body changing. It is a huge shift and you are allowed to feel what you feel without judgement from others (especially strangers on the internet) or even from yourself. Sending you so much love and positive vibes. ❤

Thank you for being so vulnerable, it's so refreshing to hear your perspective on your pregnancy so far, coming from an eating disorder background I can so empathise with you. I'm so grateful that you've been so honest, thank you, it helps others more than you will ever know <3 <3

You give me so much hope Steph! I had an eating disorder when I was younger and I am now 35 currently hoping we will be lucky enough to have a baby one day. Thank you so much for being so open, it helps so much ❤️

Congratulations!! Thanks Soo much for sharing ❤

Steph, you are doing so incredibly well and should be so proud of yourself. I struggled with my body in pregnancy too. I certainly never felt sexy! The changes your body goes through to create life is monumental. And to go through that after an ED must be so tough. I'm now 14 months post partum and still really struggle with body image. I also wasn't prepared for my entire body shape to change. Clothes that I loved no longer fit, styles that used to suit my body shape don't anymore. I have no idea how to dress anymore. I'm hoping I'll learn to like my body again one day, but please know you aren't alone in your struggles. 💕

U truly are so strong for being so open & honest bout ur struggles as I know what its like!!Absolutely made up for u & Lewis ❤ massive congratulations 😊 so so excited for u both 💖can't wait for the gender reveal now 💙🩷xxxx

Normally just watch quietly but hopping on to say I’m currently 18 weeks and really struggling with my changing body. You’re not alone ❤I know a lot of people that feel the same way 😘. Congrats on your little bundle of joy!

You're amazing for posting this and being so honest and open. Thank you for sharing and helping others through their journeys. Sending lots of love to you and Lewis <3 super happy for you xx

Gosh I can't even tell you how much I appreciate you posting this.

You should be so proud of yourself for this video showing your vulnerability must have been so hard for you but you absolutely nailed it and I'm sure plenty people will benefit from it! Wishing you, Lewis and baby the best and remember always be true to yourself no matter what!

So happy for you Steph. I have been following you for years now and your videos are so special especially this one ❤ you will be the most amazing parents and your honesty in this video and the information you have shared has been so admirable 💕

Steph, I just have to comment. You’re an inspiration to many ladies. Especially first time mummy’s! Self image is literally the only thing in pregnancy that got me down! You are beautiful. I have a WhatsApp group with other ladies. Some pregnant and lonely and it’s just amazing comfort knowing you have people to talk to zxxx

I think it's really hard to explain, but I was the same with my first child, I thought I had healed but my first pregnancy brought everything back with a vengeance due to the body changes. It was such a struggle throughout and I didn't always treat my body right at first but I think everything changed once the baby was born, something just clicked, all I wanted to do was make sure the baby was so healthy and well fed. I would have worried so much if my baby was underweight or not feeding well and the importance of nutrition and body fat was cemented all over again. It's hard to truly imagine there is a living baby inside that will be earthside so soon who needs all the nutrition possible and as soon as I was post partum it all changed. I ate with intention during my breast feeding, everything going in was for my babies benefit and I was so ok with whatever changes that meant. My 2nd pregnancy was sooo different then, all those thoughts left me, it was more real as I understood the reality of what was coming at 9 months and the body changes were just part of it. I promised myself during pregnancy and then parenthood to be the healthiest version of myself to teach this to my child and 7 years later It's worked OK so far 😊 I think pregnancy and having children was the only thing to ever truly heal me and change my mindset no matter what I told myself beforehand ❤

So happy for you both ❤ and congrats to your brother and his fiancee xx

Your honesty and vulnerability is so beautiful, thank you for sharing. Sharing your story and experience is going to make it so other pregnant people don’t feel like they’re the only one struggling, and that struggle isn’t shameful because they aren’t alone. ❤️

We had a bastard baby too 😂 We got married in May when he was 6 and it was THE BEST having him there. He did a reading for us and it was one of my favourite ever moments 🥹. I too wouldn’t have chosen it that way in ‘ideal’ world but life has other plans (ours was via IVF) and I am SO grateful for how it’s all turned out, if I had my time again I’d do it exactly the same. I’m so so excited for you both, it’s the most incredible rollercoaster and you’ll be AMAZING parents 😊❤ I totally believe they’re sent to be our mirrors and grow (I’ve changed so much I even changed careers to a conscious parent coach and LOVE it!). You’re already so self aware which is going to help you so much 🥰 Enjoy the pregnancy bubble it’s so special 🤩

Hi Steph, first of all congratulations again and I'm sending you all my love and support with your pregnancy. This video is making me feel so good about myself. I am currently pregnant quite at the same stage as you ( spring baby) and I have had the same first few months as you struggling with food and drinks, feeling guilty about productivity and at the same time so lucky to get to stay at home and not go to work and my partner supporting me. I totally understand what you feel about your body image and even if I dont come from the same background as you it has been a concern of mine even before getting pregnant about weight and body changes. It actually made me cry when you shared your thoughts about it because I understand the feeling and hope to not be naïve too with my body changing and accept whatever I am seeing in the mirror. 💕 Lots of love you and Lewis are going to be incredible parents, this baby chose you two for a reason and you are amazing and gorgeous as a mum and a woman ( even if we dont see it when people say it). Lots of love and thank you for sharing your journey. ✨️✨️ Chloé

So happy for you 🎉 . You will be the best mum and dad! Time for Lewis to get all the gear for running with baby on his back 🏃 👶

Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable, it’s really refreshing. ❤I’m absolutely delighted for you and Trev/Lew, and can’t wait to see your family grow. You’ve got all the right support and love around you xx

Sending so much love your way Steph, thank you for sharing. I dont know if it helps, but i see so many women and families expressing the same feelings about their pregnancy, their body, their sickness and mental health and how it altogether makes them feel. You are very much not alone ❤❤❤

So happy for you and Lewis! Please don’t worry what people think, this your life! And what a beautiful one it is! Everything happens in good timing! Do whatever is true to your heart!

Honestly, there is no need to buy loads of stuff, you don’t need most of it at the beginning. Focus on being present and preparing for when the baby arrives. Extremely happy for you 💜💜