A Stomach Like a Deflated Balloon (Sarah)

~Age: 24
~Number of pregnancies and births: 2 pregnancies, 1 birth
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 6 months post partum

Up until 4years ago I had never had body issues. I’d always been slim and fit, but after one termitated pregnancy at 19 I had implanon inserted as a contraception. I gained 15kg (33pounds) in the 6months following. Previously I weighed 60kg (132pounds) and ended up 75kg (165pounds).

During my pregnancy with my now 6mo baby boy I got upto 86kg (189pounds). I am now back to 76.5kg (168.6pounds) and very unhappy with this. Even though I am not a lot heavier than I was pre-baby, my body shape is completely different and I have a lot of purple coloured stretch marks covering my belly. I hate what I look like in the mirror and for the first time I look at photos of my body and think, “Am I really THAT fat? Do I really look like that?” My stomach looks like a deflated balloon and I feel very unattractive. My partner has told me he really doesn’t care what I look like and he’ll be with me regardless, I’d love him to tell me he thinks that I am beautiful, but he has never been that type of guy.

I look at other mothers that are slimmer, not so stretched and just look amazing after giving birth and feel quite jealous. My son is worth everything, and I realise that long term this should not matter, because I am fortunate enough to have a beautiful, happy, healthy little boy who is the light of my life, and a supportive partner who always stands by me.

I’d give anything to get back to 60kg, but I know it would never happen and I am never going to look that way again. I just want to feel beautiful and sexy again.

My photos are of me 34weeks pregnant, my baby boy Kevin at 5months old, a pre-pregnancy photo in a bikini, and various pics of my stomach and sides 6 months post partum

Updated here.

15 thoughts on “A Stomach Like a Deflated Balloon (Sarah)

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 7:14 am
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    That is what you call fat? You look amazing!!! The stretch marks will fade (and you don’t have them bad)…you look great. I know how you feel though…I am almost 24 and have had 2 babies, both by cesarean…I may weight 123, but I do not look it. I am loose, and have an overhang :( You look amazing!

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 8:20 am
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    You ARE beautiful and sexy. Your stomach looks fantastic. Yes, you have stretch marks, but they will fade with time. And even if they don’t, you look great. You look feminine and lovely.

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 9:47 am
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    you’re 6 months out. in 6 more months take some more shots and compare them to these. as great as you look now, just imagine how hot you’ll look then! you look awesome!

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 9:49 am
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    We have matching tummies :) Lol. You look great! I’m a little more critical on myself, but I’m also only 18 and thought “well, of course my body is going to go back to it’s skinny, smooth self” lol. I lost all my weight, but I hate the stretch marks. They bother me even more on my breasts, because I can’t wear any v-neck or slightly lowcut shirts without feeling self-concious. But, you inspire me and your son is so beautiful. You did good, Momma!

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 10:14 am
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    That is not “fat” at all. You look amazing, and if you are only 6 months pp, you will only look even better 1 yr pp. You have an amazing body, and you should love it! I think it is beautiful :)

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 11:40 am
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    You really do look terrific! I would consider you to be among the rank of “moms who look fantastic after having babies!” Your body will continue to change in the next few months and even years, it will really surprise you what it’s capable of! Wasn’t it amazing to watch your tummy stretch bigger and bigger to accommodate your son? Now give it some time and enjoy watching it shrink. You have minimal stretch marks in my opinion and when Kevin turns a year old I bet they will barely be noticeable. By the way, good job! Your son is adorable!

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 12:34 pm
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    You really look great. You must have been underweight at 133 lbs. because I cannot imagine you being at a healthy weight thirty pounds thinner. Your stretch marks are very faded and will fade much more with time, and I don’t see anything that even remotely resembles a deflated balloon. Believe it, because you look great!

  • Tuesday, June 15, 2010 at 8:15 pm
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    Honestly, with the exception of the faint stretch marks and the *tiny* bit of loose skin, I can’t see any difference between the before and after pictures. Your waist and hips look exactly the same as they used to–that’s awesome! You were a beautiful pregnant lady and are a beautiful mommy with an adorable little boy!

  • Friday, June 18, 2010 at 2:05 am
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    I totally feel you. I’d give anything to be 60kg again. I used to gym, run, cycle, swim, do triathlons. When I tried running again 2 months postpartum, my hip and lower belly hurt so bad. I have an exercise class, once a week and just started running again. The extra weight makes it harder and the lack of time too. But I do want to get strong again to have #2 in a year or so. And I know that one day (I won’t ever be 60kg again)I’ll be happy with 64kg, which is 6 stubborn KG to go!!

  • Friday, June 18, 2010 at 9:19 pm
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    Our stomachs look the same – stretchmarks and all! I think you look great, I am very hard on myself too. You’re only 6 months PP though! It takes a lot more time to lose the weight than it does to gain it (unfortunately). Keep your head up and stay positive! =]

  • Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 5:12 pm
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    Girl, you look GOOD! I see nothing on you resembling an “inflated balloon.” Your belly is tightening up quickly and nicely, and the stretchmarks fade with time. And yours really are NOT bad. Girl, you don’t even have muffin top in your jeans! Be proud of that alone!

  • Sunday, June 20, 2010 at 5:14 pm
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    And if you wanna feel sexy again, I recommend rocking that black bikini from before pregnancy again – you’ll look sexy in that just the way you are right now!

  • Monday, July 12, 2010 at 9:52 pm
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    I want your belly

  • Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at 3:55 am
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    you look very sexy

  • Wednesday, January 19, 2011 at 10:12 pm
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    I feel like im reading my own story when I read yours. I think you look great! It made me feel better to read your story and see we have almost the exact same numbers… and since I think you look great it makes me feel better. So thank you for sharing!!<3

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