After I had my son in 1999 I felt ruined. I had never witnessed a postpartum stomach that looked like mine and being that I was only 21 years old, I was sure that I was beyond repair unless I had a tummy tuck. And then I had twins and my sense of “ruined” hit me ten fold. My husband assured me that I was beautiful and that I should be proud of my stomach as it was the “house that grew my twins.” We proceeded to have four children in five years including the twins. My stomach has gotten progressively worse over the years. I now have diastasis recti and six wonderful kids. I know that for my health and the preservation of my back muscles, a tummy tuck is in my future. But to be honest even without the diastis, I would still probably opt for a tummy tuck not for shame but because I miss what I used to look like.
~Age: 33
~Number of pregnancies and births: Five Pregnancies, Five Births
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 12 years old, 9 years old (non biological), 4.5 years old twins, 2.5 year old and 9 months old. Bikini Picture: 8 months pregnant with number 5; hospital gown 39 weeks 4 day pregnant with twins; outdoor/black shirt picture 40 weeks pregnant with number six.
~I have had two c-sections (1999 and 2006), a hospital VBA2C (2008) and a homebirth (2010)
I love your photos! You look so strong in that pic in the bikini – that is a fabulous shot.
agreed. And twins! that’s awesome! :D
Those really are some fabulous preggo pics. You look like you were all belly for your pregnancies. Having a tummy tuck is a great option, especially if it’s for health reasons along with personal. I hope to see post-surgery pics up here some day! I’m sure you’ll feel much better both mentally and physically. :)
Love your pictures! The bikini picture is so hott and your twin belly is amazing! I think you look wonderful, good luck to you if you do undergo any surgury!
Thank you for posting these pictures. It’s nice to see pictures from moms that have more than just one or two babies.
Wow, wow… stunning. You look amazing! You carried your babies so well for so long, your body must be so very healthy. Pregnancy looks incredible on you! Diastasis recti or not, you look amazing. Your husband is right. :)
I am also a mother of 6 and have posted on SOAM mother a few times (Mother of 6: Story and Update) I also have had csections (5 of them) then an unassisted home birth. I think you look gorgeous and confident as a mother of 6 should :-) Life is too precious to not only do the work, but be happy with the process and outcome. I am working hard on my shape lately so I can keep strong and ease back and hip issues. But my stomach looks like a tiger mauled me, or maybe a pug face. But I love it! More and more everyday.
That is an insanely beautiful pregnancy photo!!! :D I think you look beautiful. Thank you for posting and representing moms of more than three. :)
You look stunning in your photos and so strong and proud. You should be so proud of yourself with the VBAC and homebirth.
I just want to say that i love the pictures! i just recently had my 1st son in dec and thought (like you) that i was ruined, but once my son was here i knew that i wanted to have more kids, even though that my body took a toll for the worst. I am glad to hear that you want/need a tummy tuck because i already want one after one baby, but i will want one after 4,5 or even 6 kids. I didnt want to seem vain by telling people that my boobs are uneven and that my little pouch doesnt connect anymore, but i glad that women like you are glad to share your stories and pictures!!
Eryka, you look beautiful in every one of your photos! Not many of us have had “numerous” children so when I was looking at the belly pics of women with one or two babies, I couldn’t compare myself to them because I had 4 babies in 8 years. My belly is…”beautiful”. LoL. I don’t liek it much, but my husband tells me I’m beautiful & ‘sexy’ & my belly was the home to all of our babies. But, they’re supposed to say that, right? :) My skin is really “hanging” and it seems no matter how much weight I lose, I still have this pouch! The stretch marks don’t bother me in the least bit…tehy are my BATTLE SCARS! :D It’s the hanging skin that gets me! I also want a tummy tuck.
Hehe, you look the same way as I did when I was pregnant – like I was smuggling a watermelon under my shirt! You look the same, ‘all baby’ as they say. I love your belly! It looks soft, and I’ll bet your babies love to snuggle in mama’s lap :)
This really blessed me today. Thank you so much for sharing. You are beautiful, mama!
I’m really interested in how you had two VBACs, and even a home birth, after two c-sections. I’ve had multiple c-sections too and desperately want to try for a natural birth this time. But I can’t find any midwife willing to take me as a client because of my c-sections.
Can you write a little more about your VBACs and who assisted our home birth?
Thanks.