I have three kids under age five.
I enjoy this site and believe that all mothers are united by that bond of knowing what only a mother knows- that you helped create this life with your flesh and bone – nurtured and grew it, protected and fed it, thrilled in its movements and spent sleepness nights with worry over one who would eventually reveal him/herself as an amazing little boy or girl. All mothers’ bodies are beautiful for this reason alone.
My first child, a daughter, was born 8 pounds, 15 oz., born two days early (vaginal delivery but with pitocin and epidural)… I had a small tear that didn’t heal well and that coupled with trouble breastfeeding caused me so much angst and pain! If only someone had told me that it does pass, it is worth it, and it did, and it was. I had a linea negra mark on my belly and I hoped it would stay, but as you can see from my pictures it vanished. I thought it was a beautiful “mother’s mark.” I think my swimming-pool-sized belly button suffices for that though. ;)
My second child, also a daughter, was born 8 pounds, 6 oz., induced one day after my due date. Things went so much more smoothly after this one. Breastfeeding was easier in general because I knew things would get easier, which they did. At about 6 weeks I developed mastitis once (my only time getting it), but with some good antibiotics the pain and fever were gone in hours. I also developed late-onset post-partum anxiety around 9 months, but that went away a few months later with time, patience, and meds. Both pregnancies themselves were uneventful in a good way… I was pretty active and didn’t have any morning sickness to speak of.
My third child, a boy, was born 9 pounds 6 oz., induced one day before his estimated due date. Another awesome, easy delivery (thank you epi!) and breastfeeding and everything else was the easiest yet. I haven’t had trouble eventually losing the 50 to 60 pounds I gained with each pregnancy because of breastfeeding I guess, and also just being tall and predisposed to slenderness. I don’t eat terribly but I don’t diet, and I’m active but I never “work out.” Having three kids keeps you busy in general. Heck, having one busy kid does that!
I’m finding motherhood a joyous if incredibly stressful journey, riddled with peaks of happiness and valleys of fear and occasional despair, all just the typical patchwork of mothering emotions for us all. I feel like I was a successful enough person before having kids, but boy, the experience of raising these children is my greatest triumph, and it so far surpasses anything in my past that those great adventures pale in comparison. In this, we mothers are all united, and I think we are all in on some great and wondrous little secret. ;)
~Your Age: 35
~Number of pregnancies and births: 3
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 4.11, 3.2, 11 mos
You look amazing!! A real inspiration – I have had one and am feeling lucky that things seem to have bounced back but have been worried that it might be different after two or three. So fab to see that it can be done!!
You look great!!! Your bellybutton is perfect! You have 3 children and your stomach is amazing!
LOL I also had 3 babies under the age of 5, when I was in my early 30’s…..am now 53 and I assure you, sooner or later, gravity gets us all! I now have a lovely loose panel of skin that I fold into my pants every day like an epidermal accordion, and I’m only 5’4″ and 112 lbs — I just consider it my proud badge of motherhood and I thank my body for giving me easy, natural pregnancies (no epi’s for me, I wanted my babies to be born completely drug-free as Nature intended). Please focus on what’s important — happy, healthy, loved children and being a happy, serene mom.
Not only do you look great, but you also seem to just be really enjoying all the things that come along with motherhood. I agree with you, we are all in on a wonderful secret!! Being a mom is the best!
Just wanted to add – my mum has had four of us – three of us are a year apart and my brother 9 years later when she was in the late 30s.
Four normal vaginal deliveries with fours bouncing babies and she remains (at nearly 60) trim and fit – she was 5ft 6 and remains a uk size 8/10. No apron – no accordion. Her badges are her four kids and now five grandkids.
Rock on mother of three! You look fantastic and I love your real attitude towards motherhood. It is quite a mix of happiness, fun, worry, anxiety, and yes, sometimes despair.
Cali, for the record, gravity does not affect everyone the same way. My mom had 4 of us in 5 years and even though she had a pooch after menopause, her skin was tight and beautiful. I say “had” because she had a tummy tuck at 62 for the pooch, but her skin stayed perfect. And I kinda don’t understand why you are telling this mom to “please focus on what is important”, I thought he post was right on point and highlighted her dedication to her 3 beautiful children. Your statement seems to imply otherwise.
AMAZING! great outlook on being a mom, its not all fun and smiles, but well worth it!
There is nothing wrong with getting an epidural, as a medical professional (anesthetist) and as a mother of 2 (epidurals with both) I would like to get out there that science has allowed us to do amazing things with great comfort and there is nothing wrong with taking advantage of that. Whats important is that we all have the ability to make our own choices.
As long as the risks and benefits are given fully to the family of epidurals such as the possibility of extended back pain, possible problems with breastfeeding, that it may not work, that it increases the risk of forceps or vacuum extraction, that in hinders the body’s ability to move and change positions that benefit the baby decention into the birth canal, that the risks of medication, hindering the body’s natural creation of certain hormones, and so on and so forth. However, some women do need an epidural if they are frightened and holding back and do not have the support to get through it or have not done that work before the birth or perhaps physical or medical conditions. Whichever a mom chooses (knowing the full set of risk vs benefits) as long as she makes a conscious decision knowing the facts and an epidural fits her and she is happy with the decision than that is what matters. As long as she cannot come back and say…”I didn’t know that” and that she was the one making the decisions she will feel good about her birth. (I am a certified birth doula)
Not sure if this is the best forum for arguing the benefits and risks of epidurals. Especially on a post where it is clearly not the point the mother was trying to make.
I think many of you are missing the point of the original poster. Mama, rock it out, you look great!!! Your children have a healthy and well adjusted role model. THAT is something to be proud of.
GOD your soooo lucky I would love to have your tummy I hate mine soooo much and i’m dying to get a tummy tuck!
Mama, you look great. Let’s keep SOAM a very supportive place- if we need a ton of judgement there are plenty of other venues for that online.
WOW. Thats all I’ve got to say.
not a single stretch mark!!! you look great.