When someone tells you that you've got a glow, grab your camera and take a picture.
I've never really liked having my photo taken, and I've never been too hot on my own body image. I've always been shy and not looked at myself in the mirror much. There was not much photo-taking going on (non-digital) back then.
People say you bloom when you're pregnant... that you are glowing.
Research tells us that this is due to an increase in hormones, blood flow, and oil production, which contribute to the 'glow' condition.
I have always seen it as an overall state, so I haven't needed science to tell me it exists or the ins and outs to lessen the magic.
However, I am sure my own glow was internal. It manifested as an attitude thing. I still didn't look in the mirror much. Or have photos taken.
I didn't feel prettier or happier for the temporary new bust line.
But I felt different. Strong. Confident. Did I feel fat? Yes! Gloriously. Did I care about it? Not one iota. I felt fiercely protective and almost invincible.
A much better feeling than the one of feeling pretty.
Attitudes about pregnancy and photo taking are very different now. Once upon a time, women almost 'hid' during pregnancy or went about in clothes that tried to make you look thinner.
The time I noticed attitudes about pregnancy changing was when actress Demi Moore appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine in 1991 at seven months pregnant. It caused some fuss at the time.
I do wish I had the foresight to take/have taken photos of my pregnant self. Even if I might not have liked how I looked in them, they would still be visual reminder of the times I felt like some kind of Superwoman.
So...
When someone tells you that you've got that glow on, trust what they say; grab your camera and take a picture.
They are seeing something you might not.
You maybe feeling sick, fat, exhausted, shy, have no makeup on etc... do it anyway.
You could always put the pics away or delete them if you really want to.
If this is you... try thinking to yourself, I am the youngest I'm ever going to be.
It would be nice to look back on together when baby is here.
The chances are, as you get older, you will smile and say, "that photo is actually not too bad."
Read Hospital Maternity Bag Checklist
Read What To Expect With A Premature Birth
Read The Secret To A Well Organised Nappy Bag
Read Visitors After The Birth
Read Common Tests During Pregnancy
Read First Time Mothers: Ignorance Is Bliss
Read 7 Pregnancy Wives Tales Investigated
Read 9 Ways to Predict Your Baby's Sex
Read Tips For Buying Maternity Clothes
Read Bed Rest During Pregnancy
Read How A Break In Taught Me About What Matters Most
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