After years of believing that my belly had to be flat and washboard perfect, I finally came to terms with the fact that washboard isn’t normal. It’s not normal for women to look like that, especially after they’ve had children.
Bodies during and after pregnancy are beautiful! Embracing the Goddess Within has been a long time coming with me, but…I’m ready. I’ve always been so nervous about anyone seeing my belly, but…this one’s for my daughters, so…here goes.
I’m 39 years old. I’ve had 4 children. My first daughter was 18 years ago, via c-section. My next daughter was 15 years ago, and a VBAC. My son is 3 1/2, a VBAC, and my daughter just turned two years old (VBAC as well).
I am a breastfeeding mother, and have been nursing now for 3 1/2 years, tandemed for 10 months. I don’t think my boobs have gotten saggy at all. They’re a bit smaller than they were in my 20’s, but with breastfeeding, I finally have those sticky out nipples that I always wanted! No more flat ones for me. Bonus! :)
Age: 39
Years postpartum: 2
Ages of Children: 18, 15, 3, 2
Number of Pregnancies: 11 (7 miscarriages) Number of Births:4
You look great! What a wonderful example to set for your girls! And Good job Breastfeeding!
Awesome Sarah, just beautiful, love the undies :-)
my belly would hang over them. I’m working towards looking like you. (more to get healthy) but one of the side effects will be to look like you. ((HUGS))
you are an inspiration to me Sarah! I admire you for your strength in opinion and in spirit. You are a force to be reckoned with you – and an incredible role model for me as a young mother! You look HOT!!
Your daughters are blessed to have such a wonderful role model.
You have a beauitful body!
I am happy to hear when women finally embrace the beautiful bodies that they have! :)
you look hollywood good! i only have one child and have so much more mother damage. sigh.
Sweetie you look GORGEOUS! Especially after having 4 kids. I agree with britt, I only have one child and I wish I looked as good as you do. Go you! You are an inspiration to your kids.
I LOVE your attitude!! I’m a 36-year-old mama to 4 beauties and am currently nursing my 2-year-old – can relate to you on a few levels. Great post and you look phenomenal.
Inspiring photos and person! “For my daughters” just about says it all.
What matters to me is that you did this. Ironically, in a site that’s nominally about images, it matters not a bit what you look like, for that is but the catalyst of your true leadership. By standing out to show us who and what you are, you exemplify and promote what is so much needed: knowledge of motherhood, how to think about it and respect, assist, and honor it in its infinite variety *and* importance . . . how to make it literally visible when so many take it for granted.
You’ve made a heroic statement! A big hug to you from across the continent.
Thank you Sarah for sharing from the heart! You are beautiful inside and out!
You look fab! I only have 2 babies am in my late 20s, and it took 6 months of working out 6 days a week to look like yours. As far as the workouts, luckily it’s part of my job to workout so I get to then. But, while mine is cut in like yours I still have about 4 inches of extra, stretch-marked covered skin. I can squeeze it together and make it look like a brain. Haha… My work even offered me abdominoplasty — but because of your post I know I don’t need it. I’m proud of what those marks mean!!!
After nursing my 2 boys my boobs went from A to D twice. And now are very saggy Partial B cups. In fact I recently stopped nursing and this past weekend my 5-year- old asked what happened to the air in my boobies! Haha!
You look AMAZING!!! Thank you!!
Fabulous, Sarah! Thanks so much for sharing. I have had an e-mail in my drafts file, ready to send, for a few months … you are an inspiration. Thanks, lady – may your daughters admire you for the woman you are while you can enjoy and bask in their adoration.
You look fantastic and have a great attitude. Good for you.
By the way, I am SOOOOO jealous of your nipples. I’ve always wanted ones like that, but mine just never looked that cute.
Hi! Your belly looks a bit like mine when I’m not pregnant and I think we look great! It’s so cute that you wanted pointy nipples! You look awesome!!
wow, your 39 and have had 4 children? are you kidding?? you look FANTASTIC.. i’m 23 i’ve had 2 and i am seriously jealous, especially about your boobs! mine have shriveled away since my babies :P You look great :)
What an inspiration to your daughters and to other mothers out there! You look amazing, but it’s not just about that. It’s about the courage and strength to share with others the beauty of the True female body, to share with others the wonderful gift of childbirth, and the ability to share with others the beauty you have found in yourself inside and out that comes with motherhood and accepting your body as it is………gorgeous!! I’m not a mother, but it has taken me forever to accept my body for what it is also, and I find inspiration in you and your pictures/post. Kudos to you and everyone on here that has done the same!! I applaud you.
FINALLY someone else that realizes that a six pack or washboard abs are completely unnatural!! One’s body fat has to be sooo low in order to achieve them that it can border on really unhealthy. Your tummy looks totally healthy and normal! Love it!
You look amazing! Hot mama! What an inspirational statement to do this for your girls! I have a little girl who is only 10 months old and I am hoping that I can teach her by example to love her body! It’s something I’m working towards and posts and pictures like yours that just boost my confidence that it’s possible to love myself fully no matter what size or shape I am! Thank you!
<3
You belly looks like mine and Ive only had one baby.
Thank you – I need to read this…
Umm…you DO have a flat stomach. You look AMAZING. I hope I look as great as you after more babies (I’m 32 with 3 kids).