Age: 27
Months Postpartum: 5
I’ve been planning on this post for over a year. I visited this site frequently, before, during and after my pregnancy. I love reading all your stories. There is something I can relate to in each one. I think us women should remember that we are more alike than we are different. So I am honored to be able to share my baby/mommy story with others.
My husband and I became pregnant with our first daughter in November 2008. Naturally, it was one of the best days of my life. The first 14 weeks were a real nail-biter because I had had a miscarriage July 2008 at 12 weeks. During the first trimester I had daily ‘afternoon’ sickness. I’d have to veer my Jeep off the road coming home from work, swing open the door and, well, you know! Needless to say, I actually lost a few pounds. When that passed, I ate ravenously for the next 6 weeks or so and gained 20 pounds stat. My weight gain, and appetite stabilized for the remainder of my pregnancy and I gained about 1lb a week until the last three weeks when I gained nothing. The total was 35lbs on my 5’4″ frame.
I didn’t try to control anything during my pregnancy. I decided to let my body dictate what it wanted. I ate when I was hungry and went out for a walk when I felt like it (which was not very often :-). There was no exercise or nutrition regime. I tend to eat healthier anyways though I still indulged my cravings for Ben and Jerry’s and Cheetos. Two words to describe my pregnancy : sick and tired.
My sweet baby girl was born after 7.5 hours of labor. I labored for 5 hours at home and by the time we got to the hospital I was 10cm and ready to go. Trust me, that wasn’t planned. I didn’t expect my first pregnancy to progress that fast. I thought I had a good 14-16 hours or so! The nurses were debating having me deliver in triage. But my husband made them wheel me to a suite, which was a good thing because I spent the next 2 hours pushing. No progress! And NO medication! Mercifully, the attending doctor gave me the option of a forceps delivery which I readily accepted. When her head crowned, it was the most intense pain I have ever felt! No wonder they call it the ‘ring of fire’ :-) But it WAS kind of spiritual in a way and I’m glad it was there. A few minutes later my beautiful baby daughter Anna was born at 5lbs 15oz. I was on a ‘baby high’ for the next few weeks I was so happy! I honestly didn’t even get the baby blues.
I never got her to latch on without a nipple shield (&other reasons) so an Ameda double pump was my best friend for the next 3 months. I had to use nipple pads from the 4th month of pregnancy until I stopped breast feeding – leaking sucked. By the way, my breasts are not as perky as the sports bra in my ‘after’ picture makes them seem. I wish. That’s my biggest post-pregnancy body change.
At 3 months, after I switched to formula, I lost another 10lbs. Also around that time I began to lose my hair at a pretty alarming rate. I do have super long hair which is probably why it seemed so bad. But it has recently begun to taper off. Phew!
I love my daughter sooooo much! I never gave her a pacifier so she sucks on her ring&middle finger to soothe herself. She started sleeping through the night from 7pm-7am around 3 months and is eating 1st foods. I am so proud of her! I give her baths in the tub with me and she’d rather play with her shampoo bottle and the silver tub hardware, than her toys. She is such a joy! We definitely plan to have another child in a few years – I’ll keep you updated!
The 1st and 2nd pictures were taken at my 6th week, when I found out I was pregnant: 110 lbs, C-cup
The 3rd and 4th pictures were taken at my 38th week, a few days before I gave birth. You can really see the weight on my face and my wedding rings didn’t fit so they are around my neck: 145 lbs, D-cup
The 5th and 6th pictures were taken 1/29/2010, about 5 months postpartum: 105 lbs, small C-cup
The 7th and 8th pictures were taken when my daughter was 3 months old.
You look wonderful. I love your upbeat story and overall attitude, it is refreshing. I hope that by the time my husband and I get pregnant (currently trying), that I have the attitude that you share with us on this site. :)
wow you look amazing!
amazing. you are one lucky lady! on both the fast delivery and the same body after baby. no stretch marks are my fantasy. didn’t happen for me, i’m covered.
I wish I had your body! You look great :) I am 23 and look like I am 90! Your baby is so cute and I love your family picture!
wow!! lucky lucky :) great genes you got there lady. many kudos on the cuteness you brought into the world.
ps
if there IS a secret…do share :)
Wow your body sure bounced back! You look great! Thanks for sharing your story.
You look better than before you had the baby! And I cracked up about the copy of “chicken soup for the parents soul.” sitting on the table :)
You are more than pretty, you are glowing from inside, that is so precious! I am a mother who was also lucky to snap back and gain back her previous body practically right after giving birth but I was over-concerned with it my entire pregnancy and I wouls have loved to have your laid back attitude. I monitored my weight-gain closely (I did not diet for I put my baby`s health first, no question!) and exercised throughout but if I had had your attitude, I would clearly have pregnancy much more. After all, it depends to a great deal on genetics if you regain your former body or not, except if you constantly overeat and thus gain way too much…I have seen ladies who gained more than 40 pounds and had rocking bodies afterwards (of course, it took longer) and some who really didn`t gain much and who just had a tendency to poor connective tissue…I think the most important thing is not to let yourself go and try to find the time and energy to work out and enjoy healthy food…I think many women here would like to know if you exercised, how much weight you have to lose and how you did it – and about the source for your great attitude, I think most woman with your looks struggle much more with weight gain…You will be a great role model for your daughter and I will try so too, day by day!!
Wow, you look amazing! If you could, please share any tips you may have about exercising while pregnant and afterward that helped you maintain your shape. Your family is beautiful! Congrats!
You look so incredible! Congrats, I understand how hard the work is to get back into shape, you have done such a stunning job. I have had to work really hard at it, but in 10 months after giving birth, I’m down to where I was, and it’s awesome. My boobs were a c cup before I got pregnant, but with all of the exercise, I’m down to a saggy A cup now (boo), but it’s totally worth it :)
You look lovely! And I can sure tell you’re enjoying that beautiful little girl. Have fun!