If someone would have told me, pre-baby, that someday I would actually consider any type of cosmetic surgery, I would have laughed. I considered myself to be a very strong advocate of natural beauty, and longed for the downfall of the abundant false and ridiculous cultural expectations of the female physique. I’d gone from 120 pounds to 200 in nine months. Obviously it was not all baby; but after 41 weeks of pregnancy at 5’2″ tall, polyhydramnios, a 9-and-a-half pound newborn, and an emergency c-section in addition to the excess weight gain – I found myself feeling completely drained of the pride and confidence I once had in my realistic form. I went form disgusted by the media to hypnotized, and soon was seriously considering saving up money for a tummy tuck and breast lift. Just when I was feeling particularly trapped in my own baggy flesh, I found this site. I felt joy swelling up into my throat as I browsed the pictures, feeling a sense of immense comfort and even feeling beautiful once more. I may have to lift inches of skin to even see the cesarean scar; and from 12 months of milking, my breasts are now also quite limp and point to the floor… but in truth, it’s a small price to pay for my amazing daughter. I can’t deny that I still sometimes feel horrible about the intense damage done to my appearance, it’s extremely different than it was before… But I do feel greatly relieved when I see that what has happened is normal. It’s such a shame that women must be made to feel like they’re “ruined” by doing what they’re bodies are built for. Thanks for this place, my spirits are so very lifted. It’s a wonderful thing that you’re doing here. My photos tell my story: 1 of my pre-baby body, 2 of my pregnant body, 2 of my postpartum body, and 1 of the wonderful outcome of my journey.
Wow! you are so incredibly beautiful! And what a beautiful baby! You are so lucky!!!
Like you, I never would have thought about plastic surgery before my two pregnancies. Now, after having two 10+ pound baby boys, I find I am constantly obsessing about my sagging middle, which closly resembles yours! My boys are still young, so the thought of not being able to care for them while healing after a tummy tuck seems downright selfish. I also feel very blessed with the guys I gave birth to and I am so thankful to moms like you who have the courage to show off your proud mommy figure!
I’m very glad to hear that you are feeling better and better about your post-baby body. While cosmetic surgery is fine for some people, I am of the mind that it shouldn’t be something we’re “guilted” into because of the main-stream images the media feeds of celebrities and models “just weeks!” after having a baby. You’re exactly right – we should never feel bad for doing what our bodies were made to do! Some women bounce back, but some don’t. One is not better than the other, and none of us should feel any less beautiful for the things our bodies have gone through to create life.
My stomach looks so much like yours when I bend over. And you’re right – it’s a small price to pay.
Your daughter is absolutely beautiful! Congratulations to you!
Your baby is absolutely gorgeous. You are so lucky.
you look great and dont worry it all changes at different rates for everyone. i too had saggy tummy and at 1 & 1/2 yrs later its hardly saggy – still a little to go but dont obsess, all in its own time. you are gorgeous and have made a miracle with thats sexy body of yours!
Thank you for this. I too am 5’2” and also gained alot of weight during my pregnancy (140-195lbs). I dealt with a large baby – 7.5lbs at 5 weeks premature – and polyhydramnios, as well as PIH – pregnancy induced hypertension. I agree, I would have never considered plastic surgery, but 5 months after finishing breastfeeding, my “I” breasts have become too much! I will wait until we decide if we will have another child before making a breast reduction decision. I found this site when I first got pregnant, and even now I have not worked up the guts to post, good on you! Know that there are others out there who feel as you do – both proud and saddened. Funny though, I don’t believe any of us would change it for the world!
I did not gain that much weight during pregnancy, actually quite little, about 9 kg. (19.84 pounds). Everything however went to the front and I ended up looking just like the lady on the picture..
I am down 2 kg. from my pre-pregnancy weight but I still have a big tummy (I have never been flat though)
I absolutely LOVE that pic of your hanging belly! I think I need to do one like that, too! It’s so great that we’re able to celebrate out postpartum bodies, instead of being ashamed of them.
I affectionately call mine either “my trophy belly” or “the jowels of the dog” (from Kate Gosselin). Gotta love it! Thanks for sharing.
You and your baby are absolutely beautiful. I too gained over 70 pounds with my first child, and before this site felt bad about my post pregnancy body. But seeing all the lovely photos of other women and babies has helped me see the beauty in my new body.
OMG–I looked at your picture and you’re my tummy twin! I had almost the EXACT same scenario as you–I am 5′ 2″, was 115 lbs pre-preggers and topped off at 190 before having my 9 1/2 lb son via c-section. I also had the polyhydramnios and CRAZY swelling–to the point that I couldn’t even recognize myself. But it is now 14 mos post partum and my tummy is still wrinkly and still a little hang-y–but much less so than before. I am about 5lbs away from pre-pregnancy weight now–it just makes me happy and comforted to see that I/we are not alone. I have thought about cosmetic surgery too–I look at pictures of some folks and wonder “why didn’t my body snap back?” But, Oh well! And my son is definitely the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me, so it is all worth it…
thank you for posting those pictures. you are so beautiful! my body is in a similar kind of situation after having my daughter last july. seeing you proudly display your pictures makes me feel so much better about my own post baby body :)
Silica (a mineral) helps tremendously w/ skin strength & health
very nice