I am trying to unpack huge body issues at present and was given the link to your site from a friend.
I have been emotionally abused for the last 4 years, my self-worth has been diminished and I truly hate my body. I hope to get some perspective here.
I’ll pop a bit of a story in with some pics and you let me know.
We are in Australia.
I was pregnant when I had just turned 16, I had left home already. I had my son who is now turning 4 in January at the Canberra Hospital. His birth went for 6 drug-free hours and included ARM, vaginal exams and later on an episiotomy despite my pleading protest. I healed fine, but didn’t like my tummy much. I managed to get away with only a few stretch marks around my belly button.
I had my daughter 14 months later at King Edward memorial hospital’s Family Birth Centre, this time with no drugs OR interventions.
My son was born 2 years later in the Family Birth Centre, coincidentally in the same room my daughter was born in.
My eldest son and daughter were both 8lb 11oz and my second son was 8lb 10oz. That is quite large for my family. I am roughly 5 ft (as I have been told, unsure how accurate that is) tall.
I am now 20 years old with a nearly 4 year old, a 2 1/2 year old and a 7 month old.
And these photos show what my body looks like.
Pictures are as follows:
is my pregnant belly at about 8 months pregnant
the same at 8 1/2 months
me in labour with my third baby
my belly only a few days before labour (which lasted 32 hours)
literally taken today.
~Age: 20
~Number of pregnancies and births: Three
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: as above
December 7th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Hi Aussie mum from the UK and a very mature mum with grown up kids. I have body issues at my age too – lots of us do. You say you have had emotional abuse but don’t say the nature of it or by whom. If it is your partner demeaning your body then he needs professional help to overcome HIS problems. Even in labour I can see your legs are slim and you have beautiful breasts. Now you certainly look as though you have born three big babies, you look curvy and have lovely hips and a good slender waist, just as a woman should b. Can’t see much of your breasts but they don’t look saggy at all. From what you show of yourself you look great and I hope you will believe me. I think your problems are in your mind mostly – well aren’t all of ours. Please deal with your abuser, if necessary getting some professional support. You are so young to be mothering 3 kids but you will grow up with them and be young still when they are independent. They will love having a young, modern mum and you will be able to enjoy the best years of your life with grown children. I had mine late and was not free although I enjoyed doing things with my kids. My mail is the first on here but I know you will have lots telling you how lovely you look. Believe us all and sort out the abuse – then you can enjoy being you and being a mum.
December 7th, 2009 at 6:06 pm
Sorry I meant to say ‘don’t look like you have born three babies’.
December 7th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Oh hun you look amazing! And you did something I couldnt do, drug free births. You should be proud of your self. And for being so young you have a lot of responsibilities. 3 kids under the age of 5. And for being 7 months pp you look great! You should be proud of your self!
December 7th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
You lucky leggy thing! You’re gorgeous!!!
December 8th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Hi there! I think you look superb for someone who had 3 babies!! You are still so young…just give it time, focus on taking care of your body with regular exercise and healthy food and you will bounce back. Looking at your photos, I don’t see anything “wrong” with you, just a body of a woman who recently had a baby! I don’t think you have anything to worry about!
December 11th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
If you’re dealing with an abuser, I urge you to seek help early while your babies are young. My sister’s husband was emotionally abusive. They were together since she was seventeen. It started out small where he would demean what she wears, then by the end of their relationship (which lasted 13 years), he wouldn’t let her have friends and he beat her up and spat on her in the bathroom in front of the kids. Please think of your kids. I know it’s easy to say that you can deal with it, etc., etc. and feign bravery, but in the end, your children will see their mother being demeaned and they will repeat those words just as my sister’s oldest son now does. He repeats the same things her husband would say to her. It’s heartbreaking to see. Her son thinks it’s acceptable to not only treat WOMEN like that, but it’s acceptable to treat his own mother like that. My sister is a beautiful, beautiful woman with alabaster skin, dark eyes and curly dark hair. She is thin and curvy, but not a day passed that her husband told her she was ugly, worthless, fat, stupid, etc. HE WAS WRONG. Just as whoever it is that was/is telling you you are worthless or unattractive. These types of people have evil in their hearts and they can only spew evil like a poisoned fountain. You are beautiful. We can see it now! You have a perfect body. You are a woman and a beautiful one at that! Be strong! Have faith!
December 13th, 2009 at 7:42 am
You honestly look great. Look like a mother of one at least!
December 26th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
WOW MAMMA! You look great for 3 babies and only age 20! Don’t be so hard on yourself hun! I am now 70 pounds heavier than when I became pregnant with my first! I was 19, 21, and 31 when I had my children. I do hope you have escaped your abuser? Please let us know of any updates!
March 30th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
You Look Amazing! I am 19 with 2 boys and my body is so so saggy! my stomach is covered in stretch marks and hangs over itself and my boobs hang half way down my stomach while wearing no bra. I have stretch marks EVERYWHERE. You look great! God Bless and Take care!