I feel so sorry for my husband Andrew.Hes brilliant though at reassuring me.We’d not long came back from our honeymoon in August 2009 when I found out I was pregant,I was so happy as we’d wanted kids for ages and didnt think we’d get pregnant so quick!!I loved watching my stomach get bigger and know our son was growing and getting strong but I did worry a bit as I was always a size 8-10(UK) and thought he wouldn’t fit through my pelvis I was that slim.Growing up I was one of the lucky girls who could eat what they wanted and never have to exercise and still stay a size 10.I slathered on the creams and lotions to my stomach in fear of getting the dreaded stretch marks but forgot to do my hips,bum and thighs….D’oh!By the time I was due to give birth I was into a size 14 clothes and at the time it didnt bother me,I just used to steal Andrew’s tops and jumpers,it did bother me that I couldnt wear my wedding ring as my hands had swollen up that much!!When I was 2 weeks overdue I was taken in to be induced.I was in labour for about 11-12 hours and eventually after a forceps delivery,Lewis was born at 3.29am and weighing 9lb 5oz!!He was absolutely gorgeous and his daddy’s double.I breastfed to begin with which helped to lose a wee bit of the baby weight.I did that for about 1 month but it was too much so he went onto bottles.I knew I wasnt going to ping back into shape but still felt bummed when I was doing lots of walking and running around after Lewis that I still wasn’t losing any weight.I also felt embarressed or nervous to be around my skinnier friends or even family members because I felt so fat.A size 14 is not that big a size but being a size 10 for years I felt really awkward and ugly in this new version of my body.I’d cry at adverts for Tesco with women modelling dresses because I couldnt fit into them and I was convinced Andrew didnt find me attractive anymore as I wasnt the same shape I’d been for our 7 years together.He would reassure me he still did and that he loves me even more now as I gave him our beautiful son.And he sees my stretchmarks and tummy apron as badges I should wear with honour in having gone through pregnancy and labour and all its hassles and pain.Now 3 months down the line Im starting to accept my shape but I am trying to slowly improve it by gentle exercise and healthy-ish eating.And at the end of the day does it really matter how I look??I have a beautiful son and a loving husband who love me just the way I am. x
Age:25
Pregnancies:2
Births:1
3 Months Postpartum
I made the exact same mistake with stretch mark creams that you did. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one! We have a picture of me at the beach a week before my daughter was born and my tummy looks gorgeous but there are these dark red lines up and down my hips. Oops! The good thing is they’ve faded to pretty much invisible–yours look to be well on their way!
You look good for three months PP and you’re on the right track (and I don’t see an “apron” at all). Congratulations on your little one!
Quick reality check here-youre 3 months PP. It took nine months for the weight to go on and it takes usually about a year for it to come off. dont worry about it-youre doing fine.
You look lovely and you have a gorgeous son and loving husband and as you say they love you just as you are.