I met my now husband in 6th grade, and we’ve been “on and off” since. We have been together with no break ups for 5 years now, married for two of those years. I know my husband loves me and is attracted to me but I NEVER feel good enough. He had cheated on me once while we were still in high school and I feel it still haunts me. I always feel like something was my fault. Now that we have our beautiful daughter, my husband and I are closer than ever, but I still feel so insecure. I have stretch marks and slightly loose skin and I am in no way a skinny girl. I have cried several times over this, and think that I may have some sort of postpartum depression that only deals with my own body image. I just want to share my pictures in case young women like myself feel like they are the only mom their age who have changed bodies after pregnancy. I know that is how I’ve felt since I know tons of moms my age that look exactly the same if not better than before. I want to be able to feel sexy again someday, but I’m not sure if that’s going to happen. Everyday I struggle with my body image, and I wish I didn’t. I know I don’t have the WORST body, but this is no where near MY best body.
~Age: 21
~Number of pregnancies and births: 1/1
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 3 months
I know exactlt how you feel. I am 22 and 7 weeks postpartum. I don’t feel sexy with my new body and don’t understand how my boyfriend can want to have sex all of the time. My libido has dropped substantially, almost scary how low it is in comparison to before.
From what I hear, it will get better. You love your daughter you’re lucky there as well…) so maybe you’ll see it as worth it. I don’t haveany love or positive feeling for my girl. Only feelings of obligation. Your husband loves you. You don’t even have a muffin top and it appears that you have lovely curves. chin up. we’re still young. :)
You look fine. You are only three mths postpartum, I have three kids and it is a struggle most times to get our bodies back, but our kids are sooo worth it all. At least to me, I know I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Take your time and get into an exercise routine. I started walking, than running and now I lift weights and work with a trainer once a week. I am back in a size small and a 6. The stretch marks will fade some, but they wont completely go away, but with becoming toned you wont really even notice, I promise you. Just remember to take your time, love where you are now and just work towards where YOU want to be. To the poster Ori, please look into getting help for Postpartum depression, it saddens me that you do not feel any love or positive feelings for your child. You may want to look into seeking counseling.
I am one of those moms who look exactly the same after having a baby, or so thats what everyone tells me. Yes with clothes on I look exactly the same to those who know me. Underneath the clothes it is whole another story, the only ones who sees that is me and hubby. And my hubby bless his heart understands very well how pregnancy and giving birth can change woman’s body. Just know that change is not bad. And comparing yourself to others is killer of every positive emotion towards your own body. Even though by 5 months PP i lost all baby weight it was around 13 months that I finally could say I love my body again. You have beautiful curves. I think curves are sexy. And you will feel sexy again, 3 months time is not enough for all those crazy hormones to settle down.
I think you look awesome 3 months after birth! I´m sure you will lose weight in the next months too, especially if you breastfeed. I think it is quite normal to feel the way you do about your body, it will get better :)
You look GREAT! I’m 20 and 3 months postpartum. I have days where I’m feeling like I look great then some where I’m struggling to even look in the mirror. I have major stretch marks and cellulite. Just know that it’ll get better, we are only 3 months postpartum so that’s more healing we have!but besides that you look sexy and I’m sure your husband agrees lol. When I’m feeling like I look terrible I get my baby and go for a walk,it helps relieve some stress and it’s exercise.
I had my first child at 21 and my second at 23 and I felt the same way after #2. I was over weight before kids, then 10 pounds from my pre-pregnancy weight when I got pregnant with #2. I felt like I had SO much weight to lose. After # 2 I lost a TON of weight (breastfeeding) and still felt fat. I always feel fat, but when I look back at pics I think how thin I look. Even two years ago at Christmas time I think I looked SO thin (about 5′ 5″ 135 pounds), but now I feel like I look fat (about 140 pounds, but might be due to muscle mass, since I try to work out regularly). Of course I probably haven’t gained much weight (fat) since then. It’s mostly in my head, I’m sure. Your head can play some funny tricks on you. The media taints what a real woman looks like. We think of Miley Syrus when we think of beauty, but in reality YOU are the REAL woman!
You look amazing. I can only wish to look that fantastic. Im Thin but lots of sag. almost 3 years since second baby. It actually hurts me seeing pictures of women like yourself who look so amazing so soon after having a baby.. even though it is not at ALL your fault I feel bad. It just hits a nerve for some reason. Just want you to know you havent got a damn thing to hide. If I were you I’d be wearing a bikini proudly.
mine was worse , lots of cardio workout helped a lot.