I am 31 years old, my little one was born about 15 month ago, in May, 2010. Before my pregnancy my belly was absolutely flat, I was so proud of it. Although we needed c-section, because my baby’s head did not find its way out and my doctor did not want to risk anything after the water broke, my uterus became relatively small right after the delivery. Fortunately my skin could retain its flexibility, too, so unless one stares at my belly so closely, it is not obvious that I have a son.
Although I feel and know that my body is not exactly the same anymore (there are some tiny white stripes around my waist; there is a little bit more skin on my belly than there should be and in a way I am wider than I was before), those who do not see me naked cannot tell that I have already been pregnant.
I feel so lucky that I take after my mother, who has two children and still looks amazing. Thanks Mum, I love you!
No of pregnancies and births: 1
Pic 1: The change that 37 weeks of pregnancy brought
Pic 2: My belly from my perspective in the 37th week
Pic 3: My belly after 6 weeks
Pic 4: The scar after 6 weeks
Pic 5: After 15 weeks in clothes ;)
Lucky duck! I don’t know about the whole genetic thing though. My mom had three kids, and no stretch marks (and the tight stomach of a teenager) and I friggin’ got them. You look fantastic!
hott. plain and simple. and lucky too. i know we’re not supposed to be but yeah, super jealous over here.
you look great!! my mom has a few stretch marks and i have hundreds! ( gained 45 1st pg, 30 2nd & 15 3rd) but my siblings have a few and they are in high school and very thin so its probably a genetic thing!!
I am so envious! You look fabulous!
You look fabulous, I wish I had that flat of a stomach.
I think it’s great that some people recognize that genetics have a lot to do with how you’ll look post-partum. You can do everything right, not gain a lot of weight and exercise post-partum and try to achieve the best you that you can but ultimately I think a lot of it was determined genetically. I for sure look exactly like my mom and she herself looks just like her mom did. No strechmarks for any of us but our skin isn’t very elastic so we all have the same wrinkles around our belly button and extra skin that in my case folds over my c-section scar. I’m in my second pregnancy so I don’t know how that will affect anything but my mom had 3 kids and my grandmother had 10 and they are beautiful and happy so that gives me hope. Neither of my sisters have had kids yet but I can’t wait to see if the same genetics will apply to them.
I am very happy about my genetics as well… although they may not include avoiding stretch marks. But my genetics, my half I was able to pass along to my six children include traits I am proud to offer to the human race. Like a strong body and mind. I prefer to stay focused on those things which hold value rather than the fleeting elements of our flesh. Congrats on your beautiful child.
you are so right! My mom had me and my brother by the time she was 26. Now at 48 she is still hot, 5’11 and 140 pounds with no stretch marks AT ALL.
Hi Mums,
Thanks a million! :)
We want to have a 2nd baby soon and I am soooo curious, how THAT pregnancy will affect my body (and my life as well)… Besides genetics, the number of kids you have is crucial of course, so I think with “good” genes it is relatively easy to regain your weight (for example) after having only 1 baby.
I’ve been lucky that way too, and I had my two babies “late,” at age 34 & 36. (I was, according to my OB/BYN, officially a “geriatric pregnancy.” LOL) Got pregnant easily, had easy healthy pregnancies, normal, no-problem vag deliveries, and healthy babies that I breastfed til 18 months. No tummy stretch marks and at 43, I’ve got flat abs (gym-toned 6-pack even). Yeah,I’m lucky. But don’t hate now, cuz’ not everything is perfect: I gotta head over to the “Breasts” thread and complain about my sagging, asymetrical boobs. LOL It seems that my breastfeeding success has wrought permanent consequences. Oh well, there’s always something. Time and experience have a way of leaving their marks on everyone’s body. ha ha
AGREE on genetics..my stomach and hips have been consumed with deep stretch marks and I have researched and researched s.marks. No creams or oils can help prevent or rid you of them…Everytime I see someone in a bikini who has children and a clear belly I am envious…I am 28 now and haven’t worn a bikini since I was 21. Definitely from genes
Definitely!
You are very lucky to have bounced back so quickly and beautifully.
I was cursed with what the majority of women complain about, the “deflated balloon” syndrome of a belly :(
I have two kids and my stomach is horendous. Seriously, I’ve lost all hope and its staying under wraps for the rest of my life.
I also have a daughter and I will do whatever I can to give her all the support I can because well, she’s got my genes. She’ll probably have the same belly like me.
I don’t want her to have the same negative attitude I have about my own body. I don’t ever want her to look at herself and think she’s not good enough or u.g.l.y (I hate that word!).
You look great. I did too after having a c section and only one child. 6 months out I could wear a swim suit. I thought I would have the same luck with my second child. My second child was born by c section also, but she was 10lbs, 22 inches. At 5’2″ I was aware she was like a tissue expander, I love her but my body will never be the same. Lol, after my first child people thought I was a genetic mutant, but baby number two took away my special powers!
One thing on the genes, they do help. After my first child my body was not changed a bit. I have had four children in four years. The first two were girls, first girl did no damage, but with the second I could literally feel my abdominal wall ripping. My breasts went from 32D to 32GG, not in a sexy way and stayed that way. My second two are boys, and with the boys I went from having no hips to having hips. I often feel like an old gym sock filled with sand. It also doesn’t help that every day I shower I get out to face two huge mirrored closet doors that allow me to mentally beat myself down while I pass them.
I wouldn’t trade them for the world, and I have an example to set. Do I really want to be that mom on the play ground in the daisy dukes and tube top. Lol, no. So I am learning to love this new mommy body that I live in, even if it comes with extra skin.
you are so right.
A friend of my had a baby and her belly was FLAT after 3 weeks. She is very active, but she said that she was simply lucky.
I ve had my daughter 8 years ago and still do not have a flat tummy ;) but its fine. Its not that bad and I ve learned to accept it.