You know that beautiful, magical glow that pregnant women are supposed to excude? Well, I’d like to know….where is it?! I have the skin of a 14 year old right now! I am so glad that I only have classes 3 days a week. That means there are only 3 days when I have to try to cover it all up with makeup. And believe me, I need to cover it up….I look like I have the Chicken Pox for goodness sake!
I have never had good skin. All through my 20s, I battled acne. A couple of years ago, at 29, I finally gave in and tried Accutane. How I wish I had tried it earlier! It would have saved me a lot of scarring. But thankfully, I finally did try it and it worked immediately. I had clear skin for my wedding and my honeynoon…all the way through until now.
Don’t get me wrong, I am thrilled to be pregnant. And a healthy baby at the end of this will make a few months of problem skin completely worth it. But in the mean time, I am feeling quite self conscious. Accutane is very dangerous for pregnant women and needs to be completely out of the system before conceiving, so that is clearly not an option. But neither are salacylic acid, retinols, or any other over-the-counter acne medications that I have relied on.
So here I sit with a bespeckled face, a bloated belly, and sore boobs! I ask again…where’s my glow?!
In all seriousness, if anyone has some all natural acne cures, please send them my way. Either homemade remedies or store bought…I am open to trying anything, as long as it is safe for my growing bean. 
I have been trying to help the skin situation by eating lots of good vitamin-packed meals. But I have been neglecting my food blogging responsibilities with everything that has been occupying my mind. So I will leave you with a sampling of some of my favoirite things over the last several days.
Spinach and Broccoli Slaw Salad with Chickpeas and Acorn Squash
French Toast with Apple, Pumpkin, and Raisins
Eggplant Parmesan (made with gluten free Rice Chex “breading”)
Spaghetti Squash with Laughing Cow, Spinach, Tomato, and Chickpeas
Friday Night Polenta Pizza with Spinach, Artichoke, Peppers, and Soy Crumbles
Spinach, Tomato, and Cheese Omelet with EnerG Tapioca Bread
And Up Close Look at an Egg-cellent Omelet!
I would have hoped that with all that good nutrition going in, my face would be a little less ravaged by hormones. But Alas! No such luck! Any suggestions, and I am all ears!
I have last night finale of The Bachelor on the DVR. That’s about 3 hours worth of tv! I’d better get started!
they say if you get acne you’re having a girl!! My co-workers daugher had real bad acne with her last 2 and they were both girls. Just sayin’…
The omelet looks delish
I’m not sure how I missed your announcement, but CONGRATULATIONS!!! I’ve also heard that acne = girl! : )
Look at all the amazing food that your little baby is getting!! You’ve got some of my favorites on this post; crispy eggplant, polenta pizza, your fabulou French toast! YUm!
So I am sure when I get pregnant I will be waiting for all the “typical” pregnancy signs to start, including that “beautiful glow!” I think that starts to kick in a little later…maybe after several months?? Regarding the acne, I used to have it too. Once I went on B.C, however, it went away!! I’ll never go off now, haha.
Unfortunately healthy eating hasn’t helped my skin either. I still have problem areas on my face.
All of your food looks so healthy and delicious! Baby is in there going “yum, yum, yum!!”
I have heard of so many pregnant women having acne. Your hormones are just going crazy. Things will I hope calm down in a few weeks. I don’t know of any natural solutions but I am sure they are out there.
Rice Chex as a breading sound so good. I never would have thought of that. Thanks
I am glad to see you are eating well during your pregnancy. I hope you get the glow soon, but sometimes your skin will do as it pleases and there is no sense fighting. Wishing you the best, everyday!
That baby is being well fed! I’m jealous of your baby.
I’ve heard that the pregnancy glow is just a myth and that acne is quite common. Hey, you wanted pregnancy symptoms
I’m with Melissa, that is one lucky baby
Sorry to hear about the acne, but it will all be worth it! hehe
The New Mom glow will be even better than the pregnancy one. Lots of healthy and delicious food for you and the little one!
My last pregnancy I realized the glow came with the lbs. What a trade off! LOL But you are right that it is all worth it.
hey there! i just found your blog. congratulations! i am almost 12 weeks pregnant. im so glad to have found your blog!
i have heard of people putting a dab of toothpaste on their zits just before bed. it’s supposed to dry it out. i’ve tried it once and it seemed to work okay. maybe it works better for others? good luck!
I had to go on accutane two times during my late teens. That stuff is a miracle!! I was completely acne free for a few years, but lately I’ve been breaking out. I have oily and dry skin on certain parts of my face, so I just make sure I wash my face with soap once a day, water only once or twice a day, and then in the morning I actually apply a teeny bit of coconut oil as my lotion. Seems to be working a least a little.
Fortunately I have never had bad skin. I thank my mom for that!
Love the bright colors of all of your food – looks like the bean is getting lots of good nutrients.
I wish I had an acne cure! I haven’t been eating too well and am breaking out. Hee hee. At least you have a good excuse!