As I sit here, my hand resting on my belly, I am struck by the incredible changes that my body has undergone so far in my pregnancy. It's already been a rollercoaster ride of emotions and physical transformations, despite me just being halfway through it, and I am amazed at the power and resilience of the female body.

However, at the same time, I find myself struggling with the reality of these changes. Every day, I look in the mirror and see a body that is no longer recognizable to me. My once-flat stomach is now rounder and protruding, and my hips have widened to make room for the new life growing inside of me.

I am struggling with feelings of insecurity and self-doubt and I am fearing the coming months, as my body will change even more. I wonder if my partner still finds me attractive, if my friends and family see me as anything more than just a vessel for this growing baby, or most of all, if my body will ever look like itself again.

It's hard to put into words just how difficult this transformation has been for me. As a woman, we are conditioned from a young age to view our bodies through the lens of societal beauty standards. We are told that thin is beautiful, flawless skin is desirable, and any deviation from these norms is something to be ashamed of.

But as I sit here, feeling my baby move and kick inside of me, I am reminded of the incredible power and beauty of the female body. I am in awe of the way my body has adapted to support and nourish this new life growing inside of me. 

So, to all the other mothers out there who may be struggling with similar feelings of insecurity or frustration, I want to remind you that your body is a powerful, beautiful thing. It may change and grow in ways that are unfamiliar or uncomfortable, but it is doing so with a purpose that is greater than any societal beauty standard or personal preference. Embrace the journey, and know that your body is doing exactly what it needs to do to bring new life into the world. 

x SoKind, Alberte, first-time mom