(Originally Submitted in June)
My name is Cassie, and I am a 20 year old proud single mama to my wonderful baby boy. I got pregnant with my son at 19 years old (I’m now 20). I was due to give birth September 26/06. At the time my ex and I had been together for a little over a year. I had gone to visit him for Christmas and when I got back home I woke up the next day with sore breasts and thought ‘I’m pregnant.’ Crazy I know, but I ‘knew’ even though I would have just conceived not 2 weeks before. I got a positive test result mid January and even though I knew, then it became real. I was excited but terrified. I was in college, I was 19 years old, lived with my parents, how would I handle a baby? But it didn’t really matter, because I was going to be a mother. My lifelong dream coming true, even if not at the perfect timing. My stomach and heart quickly expanded. Everyone was surprised how large I got so quickly and kept growing. My pregnancy went fairly smoothly other than extreme morning (all day really, haha) sickness and one scare when I didn’t feel the baby move for over 24 hours. I hired a doula to be with me during labor as I didn’t want any drugs. One day shy of 41 weeks I went to the hospital in the morning to meet my baby, thinking it wouldn’t take long since I was already 3cm. 12 hours later my baby boy was born via emergency cesarean. I was so relieved it was over and he was here and safe, and just wanted to see him. He was so perfect, I was crying I was so happy. My baby boy was born at 9:09pm October 2nd, 8lbs 3oz and 21″ long. I have had a hard time accepting my post pregnancy body. My breasts sag, I have stretch marks all over my stomach/hips and my stomach sags. It’s been almost 9 months and it still disgusts me. I wouldn’t trade it for the world because it grew my baby, but I wish I’d appreciated my body before more when I had it. This site is amazing, it has helped me seeing so many women so confident with their bodies! I have a picture of me when I found out, about 6 weeks, the day I had him, now almost 9 months pp.
It’s hard to accept our post partum bodies. I’m so glad that you are on the road to accepting yours. I still have those days where I struggle, too. It’s so worth it, isn’t it? I’m also a mommy to a 9 month old baby… I had my baby girl Nov. 19th. She’s about as chubby as your little guy, too! :) He is so beautiful! And so much hair, too!!! My daughter has about 1/4 inch of hair! hehehehe! :) I love your pregnancy pictures, too! Great pics!
I had stretch marks just like yours with my kids- mine used to bother me alot, but gladly, they’ve lost most of their color and aren’t very noticeable any more, almost two years after my youngest was born. Nine months isn’t very long to heal- give yourself time. Your body is beautiful, and so is your son! :)
Hi, Cassie. Congratulations of a happy-looking baby. And of a courage to write such an honest post and attach real pictures. I hope after I deliver my child – in 18 days – I will share your attitude to yourself. Cause for now I am totally depressed by how I look. Some would say “hormones”, “mood swings” etc., but I am really down by the way things (read: belly, breasts, legs, buttocks) are. I’ve never been a slim woman, but in 2005 I managed to lose 17 kg. Getting pregnant interrupted my plans about losing more. So… by now I have gained 13 kg and weigh 91 kg. With fear I look into future. I hope to share your enthusiasm in some time though…
They’re not called stretch marks. They’re called tiger stripes. Yours are beautiful and you earned them. Don’t let anyone say otherwise.