By the end of my first pregnancy, I had gained 35 pounds. It was a healthy number according to my OBGYN, but I hoped I would be one of those people who lost the weight quickly after my son was born. To my surprise, I dropped 30 pounds within the first week of my son being born. But at my 6 week postpardum appointment, my OB voiced a warning. “Many women who drop weight quickly after having a baby can experience issues with their milk supply.” Because I WAS experiencing issues with a low milk supply, I took her advice.

Here’s what happened next…

It’s crazy to me how pregnancy can draw upon so many emotions all at the same time. I’ve felt pride for growing a healthy baby, insecurity over whether I’ve gained the right amount of weight at the right time, panic at how I’ll ever be able to lose all the weight and feel like me again, and excited anticipation to meet the little person I’ve been sharing this body with over the last several months.

As I reflected upon the journey of growing a tiny human and how it’s caused me to view myself and my appearance differently, I realized there’s 5 tools I’ve used to hold a healthy attitude towards weight gain during pregnancy…