20 yrs old
39 weeks and 6 days pregnant
I have been looking at this site for a few months now, and I am so thankful for it. I keep seeing these women who look like models (probably because they are models), celebrities, or just everyday women who don’t have physical changes from pregnancy and walk out of the hospital practically uncased. When I came to this site I saw real women go through real pregnancies and have real postpartum changes and recoveries. These women admit their fears and self-consciousness.
In many of the stories I have read (and commented on), I have discovered that I am not the only one who might not feel comfortable in maternity lingerie. Many women say that they do not like their changing bodies and will not even take their clothes off without the lights shut off. They are afraid that their significant other finds them repulsive and can’t understand how they could possibly be found attractive, beautiful, or sexy. I am one of those women sometimes. I was very lucky that I did not have ANY stretch marks… until a week ago. Out of nowhere they just turned up around my belly button and sprouted limbs. They are growing every day now! Bad ones, too. I’ve also had PUPP for a while now, and I am extremely uncomfortable (and ashamed at times) of my “fat packs” that I have accumulated.
I have been afraid of what my husband thinks of my pregnant body, and even more afraid of what he will think of my pp body. Today was the first day that he saw my stretch marks. I had unconsciously lifted up my shirt while sitting on the couch (in between laundry cycles… nesting?) to check on my marks. I didn’t even think about the fact that my husband was sitting right beside me until he said “Are those your stretch marks?”. (He had heard me complaining about them to my mom a few days ago.) I felt so stupid and embarrassed for carelessly exposing my belly and thoughts were going through my mind about what he could possibly be thinking. Then he touched them lovingly, said “Aw baby, those aren’t bad at all,” and kissed them lovingly. It was almost like he understood completely what they meant. That they were just as much a production of our love as out little girl growing inside me. I almost cried. Especially since I had been so cranky the past couple of days. Then he just turned back to what he was watching like nothing special had occurred.
I just wanted to write this for women like me who can’t understand that they are beautiful and that their partners still have the same feeling if not stronger. We were married young and I became pregnant very early on at a very hectic time for us. I have been a bit mournful over my 20 yr old body already changed forever. But our little girl (due TOMORROW) and things like that make it all worth the loss.
That’s a very special man you’ve got there :) I’d hold onto him if I were you!
What a lovely story! It’s such a blessing to have a wonderful and supportive husband. My husband also tells me everyday that I’m beautiful even though I have many stretchmarks from our two pregnancies. It definately makes me feel better about myself!
Don’t worry about your post partum body right away and just enjoy your beautiful new bundle of joy! You will be filled with such love when you meet you baby and you will realize that every stretch mark is very worth the wonderfulness of being a mommy. :)
Hey,
I’m 17 and although I’m not pregnant and have never been I hope by the grace of God to one day be, anyways… I love the fact that your husband loves you regardless. I mean he kissed them! How cute is that! Good luck and God bless you and your fam!
that is so sweet! i know the feeling myself. my stretchmarks on my belly look like angry bird of paradise coming up around my belly button. i was freaked out by them when they showed up, but my husband had so much fun tracing them and counting the new ones that popped up. he said he thought they were pretty and unique. it feels good to know that the person who you worry so much about their opinion of how you look loves every little imperfection you look down upon on yourself.
Your husband sounds lovely, and from the sound of it we are in the exact same boat. Im pregnant with my first baby girl due 16th december, and well, I am covered in these hideous marks. I miss being my old self even though I love my baby. My husband is great too, but he wont be intimate with me so it makes me feel shocking. My life has never been this upside down and I really hope my baby doesn’t suffer because of it. I really hope your baby came out healthy and happy :-) best of luck, and hope you can forgive your body, I guess its just doing its job. Xx
woww this made me cry! I am 26 weeks pregnant, and I am preparing for the stretch marks I know my genetics entitle me to. I’m so afraid. I am not with my baby’s father, but I do have a wonderful boyfriend and I hope he can kiss my stretch marks as your partner did.
Reading this made me cry, your husband’s reaction is what i so badly wanted to hear my husband say, but he will never kiss my stretchmarks, instead he asks me to cover them so he can’t see them. it breaks my heart everytime he says it.
what a treasure you have there! I am jealous :) Stumbled upon this trying to find women in my situation too.
I have someone infact two ..husband and mother in law, who have pointed them out and showed me how noticeable they are and how UGLY i look.
So while struggling both sides these great stories make me feel a little better. Sorry for the vent.
For all you women who have husbands/boyfriends who degrade your stretch marks..I am so sorry. You are more beautiful than you’ll ever know. I hope one day you can experience the love a wonderful husband who thinks your sexy no matter what. God made women and men for that matter in HIS image. His image is beautiful. WE are beautiful. The miracle he placed inside us made those marks…those marks are sacred.
that is a precious story……and you are right….it is soooo worth it
Yup that just made me cry. I’m 21 years only and just got pregnant and have been so worried about what my husband will think about by stretch marks. I sure hope he reacts the way your husband did.