Hello. First I would like to thank you sooo much for making this wondeful site. It has helped me to see that there are others out there besides me that have stretch marks and changes all over their bodies due to pregnancy.
I found out I was pregnant at a young age of only 14 years old. It was a very hard and rough pregnancy to say the least. I gained over 75 Ibs. My body was swollen from head to toe. I had very bad edema. I also had Toximia. My blood preasure got as high as 225/125. After giving birth I was placed on many medications to bring my blood preasure down and one landed me in ICU with a heart rate of only 17 beats per minute. So needless to say at this point in time my body image was the least of my worries. But soon everything started to fall back to normal. I lost down to 140 Ibs. which is very small for me. At age 19 I got pregnant yet again. This time I went into pre-term labor at 28 weeks and was placed on Turbuline (spelling?) and had to go to the hospital every tuesday and thursday to recieve IV fluids. I stayed on bedrest and meds. and got the IV fluids untill I finally gave birth at 41 weeks 5 days. In labor the babies heart rate dropped to 30 beats per minute. It was a very hard and stressful labor/delivery. I got most all of my stretch marks from my first pregnancy. I only gained 22 Ibs. with my second.
I look down at my BADLY scarred stomach and I see a brave teenage girl who carryed 2 beautiful healthy baby boys. I have been asked my many kids that see my belly “What are those ugly scarrs on your belly?” I simply tell them that they are my badges of honor. Scarrs that I have recieved creating life and suffering through heart ache and pain to recieve in the end the most amazing gift that God could ever give. Life.
Some of my stretch marks are VERY wide and long. Very red and thin. I am not embarrassed by them what-so-ever. They help me to remember what a strong person I am. How I have carryed a life within and ended up with my 2 sweet precious boys that I love so much. I would go through both pregnancies all over again and recieve these stretch marks and even more for my 2 babies.
Thank you again for this wonderful site.
These pictures are of me 3 years after giving birth. I am currently over-weight and trying to get the weight off.
What a story for your kids when they get older! You have worked thru all of this, and to have a baby at such a young age. Good job mom for taking care of your babies. Thanks for sharing!
We are officially belly twins! My stretch marks are also red and some of them are very wide. At first I was very embarassed about them, but I am getting over it! You are very brave, as are all of these women, to show off your body! Someday, I will show mine!
I am 19 years old, and a mother to 10 month old twins…my belly looks much like yours, as well as my hips and some of my lower back. Thank you so much for sharing!!
I had 2 babies by c-sections in the span on a year and with my first my whole entire stomach looks just like yours. I’m glad I’m not alone and I always knew I wasnt but it’s good to know for sure. My first was a lot like your first also, I didn’t gain as much weight but I blew up in the matter of a MONTH at the end and I have stretch marks all over my torso, arms, and legs. I would do it all over again despite blood pressure and heart problems because my 2 boys are worth the world! It does depress me because I am not able to have any more kids because the first doctor messed up my c-section and my uterus is too thin to every carry any more children. I’m glad I am young and can bounce back quickly though (only 22.).
I am so impressed by your bravery and your love for your boys, and your attitude towards your body belies your years. You have no idea how important a thing you have done by sharing your story and your body pictures. You have every reason to be proud, of your boys, of yourself and of your body. You are a true role model.
thanks so much for sharing your story i’m a 21 year old first time mum who gave birth 8wks ago. all the pregnancy weight is gone now but my tummy is soft and full of stretch marks i was feeling really down about it but your story has helped me take a different approach. i like the idea of calling them my badges of honour and hopefully i will soon be happy wearng them with pride. thanks so much