Navigating the Emotional Journey of Planning a Family: A Guide for Women

Question
Hi, this seems like an odd question but i am 28 and have been married 1 year. I would like children in the next 5 years but i am petrified by the whole thing. I am reading books and trying to find out as much as i can but sometimes i think that i should not have children as i have reservations about my ability to cope with being pregnant/childbirth/how my body will change afterwards. I have never been clinically depressed but i do have tendancies towards depression that i have to keep under control. My husband and i talk about our concerns and hopes a lot, would speaking with a Dr be any help or just a waste of everyones time?

Answer
Hello Ali.  This does NOT seem like an odd question. This seems like a mature question.
Having a baby is a lot of responsibilty.  It changes everything.
Before I ever got pregnant I was in the best shape I had ever been in. I had the most clothes I had ever had at one time.  I was feeling great.  The thought of getting "fat" (which you are not you are pregnact) terrified me also.
My husband and I were not trying to have a baby but we were not trying either.
When I became pregnant I was to sick to care what I looked like in the early months.  Then in the later months the feel of that life inside me was worth way more than the old body I loved so much.
Most women when they first lay eyes on their new baby have no other care in the world.
Moms often have times sometime after birth maybe even years after where they miss being the size 8 they were before or the time they had.  But I think that is more of a growing process than a mom thing.
My "baby" is now almost 5 I weigh the same as I did before having him (give a pound or two) but do wear a bigger size clothing. (everthing kind of shifts around) I was very happy to not get stretch marks during  my pregnacy though.
Talking to a Dr. might help, if you have a good one to talk to you.
You might want to consider a counsler or other moms you know.
Good luck to you on whatever you decide.

P.S  Have you considered adopting?  Does not do a thing to your body!