I just wanted to start off by saying that I have a lot of respect for all of the women who have posted on here. All of you have made me realize that I shouldn’t be ashamed of my new motherly body, even if I’m the only 15 year old I know who has a saggy tummy and stretch marks. You’re all beautiful and you should be proud.
My story starts at the age of 14, I thought I was in love with the boy of my dreams and decided to lose my virginity to him. Being a teenager I thought I was invincible. I thought that pregnancy was something that happened to those teenagers who slept around a lot or who aren’t careful when it comes to protection. But I was wrong. Before I got pregnant I was only 115 pounds. By the end of my pregnancy I was 175 pounds and only 5′ 1″. I found out I was pregnant when I was already 20 weeks along. Half of my pregnancy went by and I had had no idea! In that same month I also found out I would be having a little girl and that I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I used a diet controlled method, but it didn’t work. I ended up gaining a whopping 60 pounds by the end of my pregnancy. I have stretch marks on my boobs, stomach, sides, butt, and inner & outer thighs. Everyone had thoroughly convinced me that because I am so young I would not stretch and that I would lose the weight extremely fast. They were wrong.
I went for an ultrasound at 39 weeks and the told me that I would have to be induced the next week so as to prevent the baby from gaining a large amount of weight before I delivered. I was livid. I wanted an all natural, drug-free birth. And then my dreams of that were crushed. About a week later I went back for another ultrasound and they informed me that the baby had gained 3 pounds in just a week! She went from being 6 pounds to 9 pounds in just a week. They told me I would need a c-section because I was too small and the baby was too large. I was devastated. Not only did I not get my all natural birth, I didn’t get a vaginal birth at all. The doctor who told me this was very rude. She basically told me that it was all my fault that I had to have a c-section because I got pregnant at 14 and had an “oops baby”.
On September 3 I went to the hospital where they prepped me and gave me an epidural. My beautiful daughter was born 9 pounds 2 ounces, 20 and a half inches long. When I saw her for the first time I didn’t understand how I could have ever wanted to give her up for adoption. I am now 5 and a half months postpartum and have only lost 32 of my 60 pounds. I used to feel ugly and disgusting. But after finding this site and seeing that there are other women in my same position I have gained a lot more confidence. My daughter is 5 and a half months and is perfectly healthy and I couldn’t ask for a more perfect child.
~Age: 15
~Number of pregnancies and births: 1 pregnancy, 1 birth.
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 5 and a half months.
picture # 1: Me and my mom (pre-pregnancy)
picture # 2: Me at 40 weeks the night before my c-section.
picture # 3&4: stretch marks on my stomach and inner thigh.
picture # 5: my c-section scar.
picture # 6&7: My beautiful baby girl.
Updated here.
Your story made me cry. You look radiant. Beautiful c section scar, with no mommy apron! There are 30 year old married women who have oops babies. I got pregnant with my second way too close to my first pregnancy and am now dealing with the consequences. Your attitude is a breath of fresh air, congrats on the gorgeous little one.
You daughter is beautiful.. i as well was wanting a vaginal birth, but my sons head proved to big for my pelvic bone – istopped dialating at 8 cm and had an emergency c section, i as well was induced. Im glad you have found love for your body, it has done amazing things, love it for that…. i am the poster for blessed and tortured. :) GL with mommyhood
Ooo I would have it out with that doctor! What a jerk! Your age has nothing to do with the fact that you grew a 9+-pounder!
I also had a cesarean after planning for a 100% natural birth. (My story is “coming to grips with a cesarean (Colleen)”–tagged under “cesarean”). My baby was breech and I didn’t have enough amniotic fluid. It sucks, a lot, to be robbed of something you really want. But there is almost always hope for a VBAC if you have more children, if that’s what you want.
Your scar healed really well! And your stretchmarks are nice and light, even if the texture will probably always be there. I want to THANK YOU for not saying “I’ll never look like other girls my age!” You have a very wise head on your shoulders and a beautiful attitude about your mommy body–thank you :) And congratulations on a beautiful little one!
Such a wonderful story! You are beautiful hun, and stretch marks? Lol you can heardly see those, you look great, and so does your daughter!
Sweetie you look beautiful!! Your babe is a cutie pie as well.
I have had 3 c-sections and it takes a long time to bounce back. Give yourself at least a full year. Your scar looks great and you will be amazed about how small it gets. Good luck little one, and enjoy that precious babe:)
You are beautiful…and you have such a precious daughter!
I had my daughter when I was 17……it has been 7 years and I wouldn’t change a single thing!
Its great to see that there are other teen moms out there that make it!
I teared up a little reading your story — you’re an inspiration. :)
i was 18 when i found out i was pg and 19 when i delivered had #2 at 21 & will have #3 in a few weeks and ill have just turned 24! when i was 30+ weeks with #1 my she dropped a little and i woke up the next morning covered in stretch marks, i was so devistated i couldnt believe how many there were it was a really scary and confusing time but since then they have faded and im happy with them now! you look amazing my point is it doesnt matter how many stretchies you have your beautiful your a mom and your story has touched me deeply! Congrats on your angel!! keep up the hard work you look amazing!
Wow girl you look so much like me in the face that it makes me kinda rethink seeing myself as unattractive. You are gorgeous! And that doctor is bitter and inappropriate. I know what it’s like to want a natural birth too only to have to plan a c section because of a complication. You will continue to lose weight, it just takes time. But you are both gorgeous and mature. And your little girl is so damn cute!
As another young mother that was intent on having an all natural, drug free birth that was coerced and harrassed into a csection, I wanted to let you know there is still hope for a natural birth when you meet the right man and want another child!
A VBAC(vaginal birth after ceserean) is safe, if not safer than a repeat ceserean! It can be difficult to find a hospital and doctor to perform the VBAC, but it CAN be done! No hospitals in the immediate area do them here, so for our next child we are planning an homebirth with a midwife.
You ARE beautiful! I was also very thin before baby, gained LOTS of weight, had a 9LB 13OZ baby! I’m 18 months postpartum now and feeling a lot more confident about myself and my body.
All the respect in the world to you! You look beautiful and sound even better! And yes older women have oops babies too. NEVER let older women or mothers talk down to you as a young mother. The work of a mother is so hard and they cant imagine doing it well and as young as you. Seriously all the respect, admiration and support to the young mothers whom are doing a good job raising their children!X
What a fantastic outlook! I was there too, having born my first at 15 as well. Don’t let anyone chastise you about your mothering skills because of your age. It’s about mindset, not age!
Hi,your daughter is a perfect little angel,mashAllah…
You are a beautiful woman.
I am impressed by the maturity of your writing. Your daughter is incredibly gorgeous. Soon, being fifteen will seem like a million years in the past, so drink up every minute, take a thousand photos, and continue to plan for the future because the future comes sooner than we think. Congratulations on your beautiful girl. Please keep your head up and update us in a year or so. :)
Thanks so much for all of your great feedback everyone. :) I’ll update again when my daughter turns 1.
Your maturity amazes me. It’s a beautiful thing.
OMG!! You are so courageous for wanting all this for your daughter at such a young age…seemingly beautiful inside and out!!
Thanks again every one. I just also wanted to add that if there are any other pregnant teens or teen moms who have any questions you can email me at terressagallup@gmail.com
You look great! And your daughter is adorable! Good for you for educating yourself on different ways of birthing and don’t let anyone bring you down with their insensitive comments. I had my daughter at 16 and it hasn’t brought me down! I’ll be graduating college next may, am expecting my next baby in October and getting married in march. You can have it all if you set your mind to it! Best of luck
I wish more women and young girls were told about the reality of what happens to your body during pregnancy, especially how their bodies might never go back to the way they were pre-pregnancy. It took me until my late twenties to find out what exactly happens to the body after pregnancy, and only because my best friend had a baby. Still, even from everything she told me, I could not envision what I’ve seen in the pictures on this website.
My husband and I have decided not to have children (we’re in our 30’s but we don’t really have the time or resources to devote to raising a child as comfortably as we were raised). It’s nice to see such a caring mom and a girl who obviously has a lovely mom and dad of her own to help her. Your daughter is lucky to have been born into such a loving family.
You look awesome! And good for you for researching birthing methods! I had no idea about my options when I was 15 (when I became sexually active). I always told myself I would step it up and be a mom if I got pregnant, but I didn’t in high school. I’m glad, because I now know that I was deluding myself into thinking I knew what was going on and how I could do it. I’m so glad there are smarter girls than me out there, like yourself. I’m 22 now and my fiance and I are expecting our “oops” baby in September.
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You made me realize I can get through what I’m going through. You are so brave. I got pregnant and I’m 15. I don’t sleep around, and like you said, I thought I was in love. I am currently 3 months, and will be publishing a story soon. Thanks!
I’m so glad I could help! (: My update to this submission should be up any day now.
I had my first at 15, i never slept around either. I used to joke about the other girls in the school who did sleep around, and NEVER got pregnant. I am very happy though her father and I are married and getting ready to celebrate 10 years together (4 years married). Our three daughters are the best gift EVER and they get me through my everyday struggles because I always work hard for them. We have decided to talk to our kids about sex, and the things that can happen. Our parents always kept it quiet. I have made myself available to local schools and teen groups to talk to them about my experiences, and I hope that you can do the same!! We are tigers that earned our stripes early. My friends that are having kids now, are even more amazed at me because they didn’t realize how tough and amazing motherhood can be!! <3
You are beautiful n I feel the same I had my daughter at 17 and my body has changed soooo much…I’m still learning to love and accept it 5 years later…