Anonymous

This site has been so inspiring. I cried when I first came here, tears of understanding and finally realizing that its a sign of beauty to have reminders of nurturing babies. All the women who have shared their story, body, I thank from the bottom of my heart.

My story is similar to many women here. After becoming pregnant with my first I had a hard time accepting even that change, little did I know what was in store. In the sixth month of pregnancy I began to get the flames of motherhood. The doctor said he hadn’t ever seen the marks as bad as mine as they cracked and bled. Nothing helped and it was the proverbial straw that broke it all. After the birth I had ripped so bad I needed reconstructive surgery. My breasts swelled so large I didn’t even have a bra that fit, which of course created “love” marks on them also. Pregnancy and child number 2 did not add any other ‘damage’ as I think my body was broke in already and I knew what to expect.

Now 3 1/2 years post partum I’ve returned to almost my pre-baby weight but definately NOT my pre-baby body shape. There are ‘beauty’ marks in all areas as proof I carried my children in my womb. My breasts are marked and literally had the life sucked out of them for 5 years, years I wouldn’t take back for anything. My stomach is like a deflated balloon and not getting any smaller from seperated abs. My thighs show proof of the extra weight to carry them. I was an itty bitty women before and, now, I am as my oldest likes to say: squishy. Being squishy brings and has brought both my children life, joy and nurishment. Now I know its something to be proud of and respected in all women. Having natures tatoos IS something to be proud of, as one has already said, a gentle reminder of the lives they brought into the world.