Before I got pregnant I was a very petite person. I used to worry about whether I’d manage to “stay pretty” during pregnancy, keep my weight gain reasonable, avoid stretch marks, etc. But the first time I became pregnant, unfortunately, it was an ectopic and the diagnosis was missed. The pregnancy in my left fallopian tube ruptured, I lost my tube and very nearly my life. After that reality check, I didn’t care so much about having a beautiful pregnancy – I just wanted to have a healthy one, that I could carry to completion without dying. I conceived again only months after the surgery but had an early miscarriage. We started to think it just wasn’t going to happen. I have a vivid memory of lying on a hospital gurney holding my husband’s hand, sobbing, apologizing for my apparent inability to give him the thing I know he has always wanted so very much…a child. The first photo below was taken at 6 weeks pregnant, when it was confirmed that the third time’s a charm…we had an embryo in the uterus where it belonged. It was a miracle! The egg had come from my left ovary, where we could see the corpus luteum on ultrasound, and navigated all the way across and through the remaining right-side fallopian tube into the uterus. I took the picture to document my pre-pregnancy body, hoping that this time instead of suffering a loss I would actually get as big and round as a healthy pregnant woman should. The second photo was at 36.5 weeks, just barely before my boy arrived. I love the round fullness of every curve, even though it’s never going back the way it was before…the new softness of my body is proof that it can do what it’s supposed to. No matter whether it ever becomes firm or lean again, or whether my boobs droop halfway to my knees when we stop breastfeeding, my husband and I are both grateful for the gift of a son. I love what my body has finally achieved, and will wear its new colors and shapes with happiness.
Your son is beautiful and your story is inspiring. P.S. You stayed beautiful during your pregnancy.
Congratulations!!! You look good pregnant.i really wish more people had the same attitude you do about changes after childbirth. I am also a mommy to one, but lost two before my little girl. None of us look the way we did before our children, we look like Women!!!!
Aww! He is so adorable. I would not worry too much about losing the belly weight. It will happen, slowly but surely. I am 3 mnths pp and already lost 33 lbs. You will be a hot mama again. : )
Awww… Your baby is adorable! I am curious to see a postpartum photo.
You little boy is TOOOOOOO cute!!! Haha, his dimples are just adorable!!!! And you look beautiful pregnant!
Congratulations on your baby.
Your attitude to your body is amazing and inspirational. You are an amazing women.
Your son is gorgeous!
I too had an ectopic for my first pregnancy. And thankfully was able to get pregnant and have a safe pregnancy later on. Loosing and not being in control over issues like ectopics just makes you want to celebrate your healthy pregnancies even more. You may still have body issues in the end, but life just makes it that much sweeter.
Congrats on your beautiful boy, and congrats on your healthy and powerful body.
wow. He is beautiful. your son is a gift. You are a beautiful woman as well. congradulations.
You look great, it’s just so beautiful how our bodies evolve through all the stages of sexuality: ovulation, pregnancy, lactation, and back to fertile.
Do you have any pictures post-partum body?
wow, amazing pictures! you should be proud & happy of your amazing achievement! & I think your body looks incredible, I do LOVE your curves too! do you have any more postpartum? I’d love to see how you look now! how old is baby? & everyone healthy? :D
hope to hear (& see!) more soon!
you have an amazing body, and your son is adorable!
You definitely stayed beautiful during pregnancy, you have an amazing body.
Congrats on entering your first race! Welcome to the world of runinng, a fantastic way to be fit, both physically and mentally. I have been a runner since middle school, which is now 30+ years (yikes!). My doc was fine with me runinng as far into my pregnancies as I was comfortable, which was about 6 months each time before my gait became too uncomfortable. My doc was also fine with me going back to runinng after 4 weeks postpartum, but honestly, I couldn’t run comfortably until about 4 months after! Normally I am quite flat chested and I could just not at all deal with my new heavy bouncing boobs from nursing, even with super supportive sports bras. So I did yoga, bike, elliptical, and of course lots of walks pushing a stroller. Over the next couple of years my hubby and I proceeded to completely wear out a jogging stroller. Now, my kids are old enough to ride their bikes while I run. I hope they’ll run with me one day. Good luck on your race and I wish you many years of great runinng ahead!