This pregnancy took me by surprise. I wasn’t seeing anyone seriously and when I found out and told the father, whom I’d been seeing casually for about six months, he acted so shamefully that I knew I wouldn’t have his support in the long run. I was right, a couple months of no contact later, he moved to another country. I’ve always known that if I were to become pregnant I’d keep the baby, and I’ve always found pregnant women so beautiful. I imagined myself thin and fit with a big round belly, full of liveliness and energy. My pregnant reality is that I’ve already got some deep purple stretchmarks on the bottom of my stomach (hard to photograph), back fat, and cellulite everywhere. My breasts are sagging and I have no idea the shape my stomach will take after I deliver. Why did my arms get so fat?
I wondered if I’d ever wear a bikini again (pictured 1 month pre-pregnancy, and 35 weeks along), so I squeezed into my old bikini for fun and it was bittersweet. I’ve gained at least 25 lbs, probably more but I refuse to look at the scale when they weigh me.
This is going to be tough, but I’m so excited to meet my little boy, regardless.
You’ll be surprised when your little boy turns one, how normal you feel again. With alittle exercise everyday and eating healthy, you’ll find yourself almost back to where you were, maybe more. :)
lifting your child as a toddler will tone out your arms,lol
Aren’t you beautiful?! Your bunp is gorgeous! You’re positively glowing! You look lovely. Enjoy the calm before the storm! :)
Let me just say… Someone posted a link to this site and this was the first link I clicked… I also am about 36 weeks pregnant with a little boy. And I myself am not with the father. Just the other day I was complaining to my mom about my stretch marks and breasts because of course for my sake I think…. How am I ever going to find someone to look beyond these ugly marks. But she told me they are marks of beauty and strength and my future soulmate will love me no matter what the marks are. So lets just be excited about our little men, right?! :] Stay beautiful my friend!
I got sent a link to this website and this is the first I clicked on! I am 22 weeks pregnant, not with the father either and scared and paranoid about stretch marks as I’m a bit prone to them. Reading this and the comments has made me feel so much better and for what it’s worth, I think you look great and i hope I can look half as good at 35 weeks
Xxx
Hi there!
I just want to say I know exactly where your coming from. I am 20 weeks pregnant with my second child. Your story is exactly the same as mine was through my first pregnancy. I was left all by myself and to top it off I was so worried about my once lovely toned body (that I worked so hard maintaining with exercise and healthy eating) turning into a disgusting mess. In total I put on around 6 and a half stone. It wasn’t easy to shift, but please dont worry about anything like that; once you have your beautiful baby in your arms you wont care. The days and weeks go by so quickly while your adjusting to your new routine that by the time you actually want to do something about your excess baby weight (if you have any at this point) you will find it easy to incorporate even a 20 minute walk into your new life. Even though your body has changed shape a lot, by your pictures, I can see how beautiful your are and your bump is so perfect, you really do look as though pregnancy suits you. Well done to you!!! :-)))) If you ever feel down and want to talk to someone about your situation please feel free to e-mail me, My e-mail is emma_m_1428@yahoo.co.uk as like I said, I know where your coming from. Sometimes it is easier to speak with someone you dont know, especially if they have had the same experiences. Take care of you and bump. Emma xxxx
I am 25, my son just turned 4 in February. I have the saggy belly, the not-quite-so perky breasts, a bigger butt than before, and a lot of stretch marks. A couple of months after my son was born, a 17 yr. old guy came up to me and told me my stomach looked like a monster that ate little children. I was so upset. It was the first time I had gone out of the house to sit on my front porch in the warm sun with a crop-top on (much easier to breast-feed). I had to deal with my son’s father constantly harping on my weight and everything that I was eating. I was losing weight, I didn’t quite know what he wanted from me. We are no longer together but now I am with a man who loves every little bit of my body for the exact reasons that people didn’t like before. The man I am with now traces the stretch marks that seem to go from chest to knees as he dreams out loud what it will be like when we have our own children. He is excited to see me swell with his child, he wants to be there to hold me through any pain it will cause. He loves every little imperfection that came with carrying my first, and he honestly can’t wait until there are more. A map of love is what I call the stretch marks. That is exactly what they are. Ladies, you will find men who will cherish every little mark, because THAT is true beauty!
Don’t worry, storing fat is a normal and healthy body response to pregnancy. It’s the way nature makes sure your fetus and newborn will be well nourished in a case of a disaster like famine, draught, etc… So your body is doing the right thing!:) I personally gained 50 pounds during my pregnancy (from 110 to 160), but my stomach did not change that much after birth (I am 5 month pp now, and weigh 130 pounds). Yes, there were some stretchmarks, but they shrink and start fading away immediately after the childbirth. So don’t worry, you’ll be fine! :):) Congratulations and good luck!:)