Melissa

Being morbidly obese is something I identify with every single day, but it wasn’t until I was pregnant that I gained a better body self-image. Pregnant, I felt the glow despite the hormonal rivers that shown upon my face with acne. I was truly happy. My feet were swollen and I had edema. Gestational diabetes, faded away towards the last weeks of my pregnancy, but left little black needle marks and bruises all over my baby swollen tummy. I felt the kicks and flutters of excitement of life growing inside a once barren environment. I felt like I was on top of the world. When I was nine months pregnant, many people asked me if I was glad to soon be delivering my son, and I would respond back that I was content he was thriving inside of me. Him growing in utero was the most fabulous and remarkable time of my life. I didn’t know that when I went into a mad rage to clean and tidy up our room for my son’s arrival that I was indeed nesting. Nor did I know that when I felt my son kicking-out in utero was actually me having some major contractions. So when I went in to have my amniocentesis to check for his lung development to deliver him early because of gestational diabetes, I was shocked to know that I would be admitted to Labor and Delivery immediately without the amnio nor my husband by my side. My son came into this world, January 19th, 2006, at 9:26 pm and I felt a wave of sadness knowing born my son would no longer be inside of my womb. I had pangs of sadness that didn’t allow me to sleep after having the emergency c-section after I had failed labor and he was lodged in my birthing canal. I saw my son briefly when my husband walked him over all snuggled up in his aquamarine and pink striped receiving blanket and I kissed him for the first time. With surprise of not being able to see because I didn’t have on eyeglasses and the shock of, yes, I am a mother now, I had a hard time with the reality he was indeed was my newborn son. Thankfully, logic pulled through and I trusted the newborn my husband was holding was indeed our son made out of our love and committment for one another. It wasn’t until 8 am the next morning Tien Andrew Yoyo Yuen was cleared by doctors and nurses to be healthy enough to be held by his Mommy for the first time. I still treasure that first time I held my son and am thankful my husband took a picture of it. My face is evident that acne broke out all over. I was thoroughly tired cause I didn’t sleep and still, yet, I was in heaven because I was a new mother. Enclosed are two pictures I treasure. You can visit my son’s web blog on his development in utero and after birth at https://dimartino-yuenbaby.blogspot.com. I thank you for telling the stories of so many women around the world. Its given to me courage to express my story of how my morbidly obese body turned into a haven to grow and nurture a loving son.

Melissa DiMartino-Yuen

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12 thoughts on “Melissa

  • Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 9:06 pm
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    Your son is beautiful. And so are you. I had a similar experience – when I was pregnant, I loved my body and felt that it was doing something so magical. Congrats on your little boy. I hope you continue to cherish your body for being your son’s first home.

  • Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 9:21 pm
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    You have made a beautiful baby boy. It is sad how a society can make a woman feel so inadequate at a time in their life when they have just given life to a beautiful child. You are beautiful!! My skin did the EXACT same thing throughout my pregnancy and I have many pictures with spots all over my face. My lovely husband emailed the spotty pictures to all my friends post birth and I was horrified. I’m so glad you shared your story. Women are so strong! :)

  • Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 9:32 pm
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    I never felt so good about myself than after I delivered my kids. Most amazing thing and to be pregnant and making a life… unreal how special it makes a woman feel!

  • Friday, September 8, 2006 at 5:10 am
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    I agree — you’re gorgeous and you have such a beautiful son! (The pictures on your blog are SO sweet.) I can relate to what you say about finally feeling good about your body when you were pregnant. I was the same way with my first baby — never felt stronger or sexier. What’s really cool is that some of that feeling lingers, even after our bellies get all deflated and mushy.

  • Friday, September 8, 2006 at 9:01 am
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    Proof that beautiful mommies come in all shapes and sizes. Congratulations on your boy–and on the positive self-image he started within you. What a precious gift. Keep it up!

  • Friday, September 8, 2006 at 9:31 pm
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    I too loved my body while pregnant. It was a time to appreciate the magical and wonderous things it was capable of! (A time to gain weight and not feel BAD!) Added bonus as all I craved with the twins was greasy burgers and fries from a ma and pa burger place, heaven!Beautiful healthy baby, great job MOM!

  • Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 1:31 pm
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    I love your sleepy, happy mama face :) What a cutie-pie baby you’ve got there.Just beautiful, the two of you are.

  • Monday, September 11, 2006 at 6:13 pm
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    I hear you about enjoying the process! I gave birth to my first one at about midnight, and while getting a shower the next morning, suddenly I was gripped with utter terror that I’d hadn’t felt the baby kick in hours! My husband found me in the tub sobbing, and all he could get coherently from me was “It’s lonely in my body right now…” From one big mama to another, XXXOOO

  • Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 6:19 pm
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    I love the picture of your baby laying on your breast. Breasts come in all shapes and sizes and I think you are amazing for bearing yourself on here.High five!!

  • Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 10:35 pm
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    Thanks everyone! I appreciate all your comments and am inspired about your stories in the comments too.Melissa

  • Friday, April 11, 2008 at 6:43 pm
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    Hi Melissa! It’s Cara from summer missions 2005 in Delaware. Please email me if you can, I’d love to hear from you and see how you and your little one are doing! :)

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