As everyone on this website I have lots of body issues and this is how I found this website. I am 5’5″ and before I got pregnant weighed 145 lbs. I gained about 36lbs during the pregnancy, had sever pre-eclampsia and fluid retention. I felt so bad about my pregnant body that I didnt want to take any pictures. I have always ahd strecthmarks on my breasts, but didnt excpect it to get so bad with pregnancy. My body is so different after pregnancy not only the shape but my health is also affected. I kept on retaining fluid, even on a strict diet and intense exercise regime I cant seem to lose weight and even gained weight during breastfeeding. I have stopped since and have lost 3 lbs. I would have felt better about my body if it wasnt such a struggle to lose weight. I now weigh 161 lbs, have lots of strechmarks are described by doctors as overweight and extremely depressed. The big problem that I have is that I dont want to transfer all these issues to my daughter when sshe grows up. I am extremely blessed to have her in my life and would do it all over again, I just wish I was as lucky as some other mothers who still have the same bodies as before. I include pictures of before pregancy, just before my c-section, 1 month pp and 8 months pp. Thanks for this website!
Your pics made me smile…because they are so familiar.
I had a killer body (if I do say so myself! lol), before pregnancy, and now, well, not so much.
But, I have learned to love it, especially through belly dance.
AND, my breasts just recently seem to have plumped up a bit again…I guess the space left by the deflated milk ducts is starting to be replaced by new fat cells! Woo hoo! :)
You look wonderful, congrats on your baby!! :)
First off, if I were you, I’d get a new doctor, because you are clearly not overweight! You look beautiful! Hang in there, I was losing my weight for two years after my kiddo was born. It’s a process!
Hello sweet mama. Firstly, congratulations on the birth of your daughter. What a blessing babies & children are, every day!
Secondly, don’t be so hard on your body right now. It’s only been 8 months. Some women are able to drop weight so quickly and others, it takes a bit more time. I am 18 months PP and am still carrying about 8-10 pounds. I am very much like you in that I don’t loose weight while I am breastfeeding. I actually gain or hold onto weight. I have had two c-sections which makes the lower abs super hard to tone up. A bit of patience and kindness with your body – you’ll get there.
And finally, if you are suffering from PP Depression, get on the necessary medication. Things can go from seemingly ok to really not ok super fast. Remember, take care of you first so that you can be all that you can to your baby girl.
I totally relate to your story. Same height, same weight pre-pregnancy, almost the same weight now (my daughter is 14 months now.) I’ve found it a very difficult transition too, and have had SO much trouble losing the weight! I’m focusing now on not obsessing about it and enjoying my life. You aren’t a number on the scale, you are the person your daughter sees when she smiles at you and curls up in your arms, the person your friends love because you make them laugh, or are the one they come to when they need to talk. I’ve found that focusing on doing things that I enjoy really helps, and trying to delve beyond the surface stay away from the mirror and the camera (which can be hard.) You’re beautiful, and whether or not you lose those final pounds, you are the same person you’ve always been. Here’s my post: https://theshapeofamother.com/blog/12-months-postpartum-anonymous/
Good luck.
Hang in there sweetie – as time goes by and you visit this site, you’ll realize your body is perfectly normal.
Believe me honey you have a lovely body and you only have a few marks on your tummy you should see mine my tummy is covered. I put on nearly 30 Kilo I was soo depressed i just ate, but I know that exercise and time helps alot. You had a baby its not easy for your body you just need to tone up, trust me I have had 2 babies!
wow, you have a great body for having kids…not joking either. be happy, you look awesome!
I’m right there with you. I had severe PreEclampsia with my son (with fluid gain, 50 lbs in that pregnancy) — and then our birth control failed and I got pregnant again almost immediately! I had PreEclampsia again. That’s two babies, two c-sections, two rounds of PreEclampsia in less than a year. Your pictures are SOOO familiar! But you look amazing! After months of depression and frustration, I’m finally starting to appreciate my body again. We still have the stretch marks from hell, and I’m not appearing on the cover of people ant time this decade — but my body survived that! i grew a little healthy human being and survived a life threatening complication — and that’s pretty amazing.
you’re beautiful!
aww, i feel the same too! i kind of have the same body too! except you have more of a waist line that i do which is way cuter… but guess what!? i still get hit on when i go out! obviously,we’re too hard on ourselves. I must say, you do look very good!! i have issues with my stretch marks but still have hope they’ll fade away a little more. i have not done any type of work out since the birth of my son and i got back to my pre-baby weight at 6monthsPP which made me feel good but my stomach still looks inflated and my whole body is really flabby from the lack of toning that needs to be done. I was a lazy preggers so 9 months of sitting and laying totally scared my muscle away =# good luck to you!
Those pictures could have easily been mine . ..