Age: 23
Number of Pregnancies/Births: 1
Almost 13 weeks postpartum
Keywords: postpartum, pregnancy, 1st time mom, vaginal birth
After trying for months to conceive unsuccessfully, my husband and I visited a new OB who prescribed clomid. I believed that I was not ovulating, however he thought everything was fine. I got pregnant on the first round of clomid and we were so excited. It was shortlived because the entire pregnancy was a roller coaster from the very beginning. I thought that I just had a cyst from the clomid because of extreme pain, the gyno (not ob, different office) asked me to take a pregnancy test to make sure. I just KNEW i wasn’t pregnant because I had been in the hospital around february 22nd for the same pain which they attributed to my interstitial cystitis and I was negative. Last period was 2/2/09 & I took clomid on days 3-5. We ended up conceiving on February 14th, between all of the pain and my interstitial cystitis flair that was the only time we had sex within the correct time span.
Much to my surprise, the test was positive. I was like, “what the hell is this?!” So i waited a few hours and took a digital test to be sure.
I went in and had an ultrasound done, which showed I did have a large cyst and it looked like my uterus was getting ready for an implantation but the egg had not yet implanted. This was on March 4th, I went to Florida that week for a vacation with a friend and had alot of pain. The ER dated me 5 weeks 6 days and no heartbeat but not ectopic. A week later exactly I went back to my gyno here, they dated me 5 weeks 6 days, low heart rate (low 80’s) and said to prepare that I would probably lose the baby. I was devastated. Then i got to thinking..I couldn’t have been 5 weeks 6 days that week prior and they must have measured wrong and I was so upset that the doctor didn’t think of any alternative reasoning. Plus the heart had just formed so it’s going to have a low rate. I got a 2nd opinion 2 days later and our babies heart was still beating, still on the low side but she ended up being just fine. I was on bedrest from 16-19 weeks then i had a partial placental abruption and hemorrhaged at 22 weeks, so I was on bedrest for another 3 weeks after that. I had spotting the entire pregnancy and I didn’t start to really enjoy any of it until the 3rd trimester.
I’m 5’1 and pre-pregnancy I weighed around 123. I’ve never had a flat stomach, but I was happy with my weight. I wore a size 5 jeans/pants, however most of my jeans were bigger 3’s that I shoved my fat butt into anyway. We all have our favorite jeans that we don’t want to give up. When i was 18 I weighed 107, and by the end of 2007 I weighed 115 and then ended up around 123. I actually ate better during the weight gain but honestly i wasn’t every super skinny, imo. For my height/build I was pretty average.
I started to get stretchmarks around 16 weeks..on my butt, and ended up with them everywhere. I have them on my stomach, thighs, butt, CALVES! I got PUPPS also, which made them appear much worse.
Upon delivery I weighed 165lbs. I remember how upset I was when i went over the 160 mark. I didn’t gain a single pound up until the 19week mark and I was pretty upset by that. My clothes didn’t fit & I had to wear maternity clothes but weight was I was not up at all. I ended up making up for it, that’s for sure!
I had a very quick labor (under 7 hours start to finish) and a completely natural birth complete with 40+ stitches from an episotomy. Even with a not so great pregnancy and hard birth recovery we both wanted #2 right away. We are now on the one & done train, for multiple reasons. One reason is that I can’t stand to see what my body would like like after #2, and I know thats selfish but thats how I feel, honestly.
I’ve seen a couple women on this site who look EXACTLY like I do which is comforting. I’m hoping I will, “go down” more, but don’t have much faith in that.
I wouldn’t be having such a hard time dealing with my new body if six, SIX people in public hadn’t asked me, when I was due/didn’t know I was expecting/wow you’re having 2 really close together/when are you gonna have that baby/is it a boy or girl. SERIOUSLY? That’s what has really given me serious body image issues.
I also think that if my breasts were even slightly bigger (i’m a small A) maybe my stomach wouldn’t look so huge..it’d be more proportional.
I’m hoping I can find the time to workout and stick with it, i’m working full time right now and I feel that I don’t have enough time in the day already!
Thanks ladies! (sorry so long!!)
My current weight is 140lbs.
ETA… I’ve since been diagnosed with PCOS, (I knew something was up because I still had not starting my period at 10 weeks post partum & I only breastfed for a few days before my supply dried up/she wouldn’t latch) So I really wasn’t ovulating which is why we couldn’t get pregnant.
Undewear only photo is today, 2.8.2010, bra photo was 12.7.2009 & at 38 weeks 3 days pregnant, I delivered at 39 weeks 5 days. And finally, my gorgeous daughter, Peyton. She really was worth all of it, don’t get me wrong.
Krystle, thanks for sharing your story. You are very strong and have had a tough road. I would love to help you out with the physical wellness part which I believe will definitely make you feel better as well. I know you feel like you don’t have a lot of time but maybe we can help design a program for you that will be both convenient and effective.
Best of luck to you and your lil’ family.
Give yourself time and don’t not have a sibling for your lovely daughter because of what pregnancy might do to your body. It is very early days yet and you have a long way to go before your body recovers. It’s better to do it slowly. Keep active, eat healthily and walk lots if you don’t have time to exercise. You will get there – not the same as pre-pregnancy, but softer, better, more feminine, just as a woman should be.
It sounds like you had a really rough pregnancy but congratulations on making such a beautiful baby! Working full-time with a new baby must be really tough.
I know how hard it is to find time for yourself when you are a new mum and going to work. I have recently started exercising again and it has really boosted my confidence. Mind you, less is getting done around the house but I think taking the time to look after myself is more important! I find doing pilates at home to be calming and it is really good on working your tummy muscles too. Believe me, you will notice changes by doing even just a little bit of exercise every week. Good Luck with everything!
I wish you well if you want to have another child, but keep in mind that PCOS runs in families/ is hereditary, so there’s a higher chance your children might suffer from PCOS too. Currently the treatments treat the symptoms (such as infertility, which you took clomid for), but there is no cure for PCOS.
Your little girl is so incredibly beautiful! I love your photos and your honesty. I think we all struggle no matter who we are and who we look like. I don’t have any advice about PCOS, but I do want to encourage you to hang in there. And one more thing: It’s proven that if you smile, you tend to feel more happy. You can do this! :)
One more thing! I didn’t realize you were ONLY Thirteen Weeks Postpartum! You know, I lost weight up until my daughter was 18 months. Your body hasn’t even BEGUN to heal. Give it time. :)
You are gorgeous! Postpartum weight loss really does take a while – give it a couple months! <3!
I gained 100lbs during my pregnancy, then swelled up due o water retention, afterwards. You look fantastic for having a baby not so long ago! It took me 2 years to lose of the baby weight. You are a mom, your body will be different, but you created soemthing wih that body! Be proud!