The ‘Pregnancy Glow’ We Were Promised (Why does no one talk about the skin changes in motherhood?)

Ok, so right off the bat—no, I do not know why no one talks about the skin changes in motherhood… but we should.

The transition to motherhood is one of the most transformative phases in a woman’s life, and yet we are failing to talk in detail about what it really means. Not to mention all the narratives we are constantly sold, such as “the pregnancy glow,” or my favorite, “this is one of the most beautiful times in a woman’s life.”

And it is. All of that is true—for some.

Or maybe it’s true for you, but only partially—not every day, but maybe some days. Or maybe, bear with me here… it is not true for you at all.

Whatever your story might be, I am opening this space to you and for you—the soon-to-be mom, the new first-time mom, the second, third, fourth-time mom… you get it. This space exists so you are not blindsided by the things we don’t talk about enough, and so you don’t have to go through this journey alone like so many of us do. (I am sorry if you did.)

In this space, I want to offer a raw, unadulterated side of my story—from my experience as a first-time mom—hoping it will make you feel seen, heard, understood, and maybe even inspire you to share your own story and tell me (us) what your experience was really like.

Because the truth is, there are so many narratives being sold to us that we lose track of what we are actually supposed to feel during such a delicate time.

So let’s dive in.

If you are anything like me, the journey of motherhood took me by a swirl and showed me what life is really all about.

Ok… enough with the codes—what do I really mean by that?

For me, motherhood was not only a slap in the face, but also a wake-up call. It showed me that genuine love, beauty, and sacrifice can all coexist in the same space—alongside the excruciating feeling that I am never doing enough for me, my child, or my family.

Motherhood is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and I truly believe it has a lot to do with the immense toll it takes on our bodies.

It’s one thing to say “life is about change” and nod along.

It’s another thing entirely to feel those changes—physically, daily, constantly.

You know exactly what I’m talking about.

The expansion of the belly.The shortness of breath in those last few months.The lack of sleep—before and after the baby.The heartburn. And… drum roll…The changes in our skin.

Out of all the changes I experienced in my body—and there were many—the changes in my skin affected my self-esteem the most.

And maybe some women are aware that these changes are coming… but I wasn’t.

Did I do my homework? Maybe not.

Did my OB mention my skin would go through its own transformation? Definitely not.

So this is where I want to pause.

Because I do have a very specific purpose with this blog—but we’ll get there. For now, let me ask you something:

Where is the glow we were all promised when that pregnancy test turned positive?

The beauty industry certainly missed the mark on this one.

So much of what we experience during pregnancy and postpartum is treated like an optional conversation—and when it does come up, it’s often minimized.

Yes, some women glow.

Yes, some women feel beautiful.

But for many of us—and I say this confidently—we experience something very different.

According to the National Library of Medicine, more than 90% of pregnant women experience one or more forms of skin changes, and many of these changes continue into postpartum. There is no shortage of research showing the physical changes women go through—and even less shortage of evidence showing how deeply these changes can impact our self-esteem.

But I won’t get too analytical… yet.

For now, I just want to say this clearly:

That “glow” we are promised the minute the strip turns pink? For many of us, it’s a myth.

And it’s okay if you believed in it.It’s also okay to educate yourself so you are not caught off guard when your skin suddenly looks like a sun-dried tomato.

So let’s ground this a little.

What are some of the actual skin changes women experience during pregnancy and postpartum?

Some of the most common include:

• Hyperpigmentation (melasma, also known as the “mask of pregnancy”)

• Hypopigmentation (lighter patches due to melanin loss)

• Skin tags (usually on the neck, chest, or breast area)

• Stretch marks—one of the most permanent changes

• Acne or postpartum acne (yes… again)

• Vascular changes like spider veins or varicose veins

• Increased skin sensitivity due to increased blood flow

  
  

And that’s not even all of it.

There’s also loose skin. Hair loss. Texture changes.

The list goes on.

So let me ask you again — Are you still feeling like yourself?

If the answer is no… who are we to blame you?

So much of our identity is tied to the way we look. It’s no surprise that we begin to disconnect from ourselves when our appearance changes so quickly—and in ways we didn’t expect.

And that right there…That disconnect? That is what we need to start talking about.