This Honest Look at Pregnancy Face Changes Is Making Moms Feel Seen

From swollen ankles to changing facial features, the physical transformations that come with pregnancy can be difficult to embrace, especially in a world still obsessed with “bouncing back.” But one mom’s vulnerable video is changing that conversation.

Emily Wehner, a mom of two, recently went viral for her honest Instagram reel showing her face changes throughout pregnancy. “I wanna show you how my face changes when I’m pregnant,” she begins. She explains that she typically gains 50 to 60 pounds during pregnancy, with much of it showing up in her face. “I felt a lot of embarrassment and shame about it, but it’s just part of what happens to me.”

In the second half of the video, filmed at 39 weeks pregnant, Wehner reflects on how both her voice and appearance have changed. “I have to remind myself it’s not forever, but honestly, I don’t even really recognize myself,” she says. She adds, “It’s a beautiful, hard, lovely, wonderful thing to grow a human. My body has changed so much, and I am so proud of her. But also, it’s hard. It is. It’s a mental game, too. I want you to know that’s okay. It’s okay and can be part of it.”

“I don’t exactly know how much weight I have gained, but I’m sure that it’s around 50ish pounds. And I think I need to say that verbally out loud because I panicked my first time when I gained that much weight, and that is just what happens to me,” she adds. In the caption of her post, Wehner explains that while sharing this feels vulnerable and strange, “If I had would have this at the end of my first pregnancy, I would have felt a lot less alone.”

The video quickly resonated with moms who’ve experienced similar changes and internal battles. “I’m obsessed you made this and posted it! Also a 50+ pound girly here! Our bodies just gotta make sure our babies are comfy,” one commenter shared. Another added, “Love a vulnerable post like this and hearing from women speaking against ‘bounce back’ culture! I’m 14 months postpartum and just started to feel more like myself (and lose a bit of weight) in the last couple of months.” Others chimed in with their own experiences: “People have commented soooo much about how my face changes and I’m like, ‘yeah, I kind of know that.’”

Other commenters shared science-backed benefits of swelling. “I was complaining to my midwife about the amount of swelling and water weight at the end of pregnancy,” one wrote. “She told me it’s literally your body saving your life. During birth, you lose so much blood and fluids that you could go into shock and die, so to prevent that your body holds onto extra water in advance… so GOOD ON YOU! Swell baby swell.”

While pregnancy swelling can be frustrating, it can also be your body’s way of looking out for you and your baby. Curious about what’s normal (and what’s not) when it comes to swelling? Check out this expert-backed guide to swelling for everything you need to know.