I started at 114 lbs pre-pregnancy, and had gained 65 lbs with my twin daughters by the 35th week when they were delivered preterm by cesarean. Most of the pounds fell off pretty quickly, with exclusive breastfeeding and the energy burned keeping them both as content as possible. I don’t mind the stretch marks on my breasts, knowing they have sated and grown two beautiful healthy 13 month olds. The cesarean scar runs right along the crease where my underwear stop; when I see it, I am amazed that these two lives made their entrance from such a relatively small incision, and I remember the relief and joy their father and I felt that morning when they first opened their lungs and screamed. Then there is the twin skin – a seer-sucker pattern of stretch marks upon stretch marks on my abdomen. It is the hardest to come to terms with. Some days I feel used up, like I understand why barbaric men would take a virgin wife for each child – and yes, every fiber of my feminist being quivers as a forest of knives at such a thought. On my best days, I see the twin skin as the most fundamental body art, hard won, and could parade it unashamed at the beach with my wondrous children discovering sand. I haven’t had any of the latter days in the summertime yet.
Wow! I love your writing style! Oh I think you look fantastic! Isn’t breastfeeding awesome? I can see how it worked wonders with you! You look great and your stomach is as tight as ever! Your daughters are beautiful little girls! Are they identical? They sure look like it. They’re beautiful!
you are sooo cool!
I loved your writing! I think you look great and the babies are adorable. Be so proud of yourself!
I love your belly art! When I first saw it, I thought that you had the COOLEST stretch marks ever! :-)
love the belly art! i too am a mom of twin girls and breastfeed mine as well. my girls are 9 months and i just happened upon this site. i’ll be posting my pics soon. your girls are gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing your photos and story. Your daughters are gorgeous, as are you. Thank you for being my mirror. My twin boys will be six this September, and I was still looking at my body and wishing it were beautiful again. You have shown me how beautiful I still am. Thank you.
Wow- you could be me! I have 10 month old twin girls! I was 124 lbs when I got pregnant. I gained almost 70 pounds with the girls, they were born by cesarean at 40 weeks and 5 days, weighing ~7 pounds each. I also breastfed both of them exclusively and am still nursing them now. Most of the time I am happy with my girls and don’t even think about my body– but some days I really miss feeling beautiful and attractive. It is amazing what our bodies endure– but also what they produce and sustain! I try to remember that most of all! Thanks for the post- as others have said, it was like looking into a mirror.