Belly

I don’t feel beautiful anymore!… (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Pregnant, Submissions, Teen Mom 9 Comments

First off I’d like to say how amazing this site is. After browsing through everyone’s story and pictures, I’ve realized what real women look like, and that im not the only one going through this stage of not feeling beautiful.

I have a wonderful supporting boyfriend that I have been with for over 2 years. Each and every day he tells me how attractive I am, how beautiful ive always been and that im even more beautiful now. But some how I cant bring myself to believe him.I think if I dont feel this way about myself than why would he. Hes my boyfriend and I know he wouldnt want to hurt my feelings, thats why I think he gives me all these complements.

When my boyfriend and I started dating I was 5″7 115lbs, and I absolutely loved my body. Around that same time I was going through alot of family troubles and I gained 15 lbs throughout the year I was with him..I told myself I can deal with being 5″7 and 130lbs.. I was still very confidant and loved the way I looked.

Then 9 months ago I found out that I was 15 weeks pregnant, at only 18 years old..I will be 19 on May 4th,even being a young adult I had people look down on me because I am so young and having a baby.. I had no idea that I was pregnant, I didnt gain weight, I didnt have any symptons that I could be pregnant. Then all of a sudden my periods started going all different, so I went to get checked out. When I found out I was pregnant , I was very scared and happy all at the same time. I never really thought about how my body was going to change because I had more important things to worry about.

I am now 40 Weeks + 2, my due date was on April 22nd,2009. So really I can have this baby any day now. The pregnancy has been great, ive had no problems. I actually liked being pregnant, up until 8 months. I had no stretch marks , and i didnt gain that much weight.I felt great, I had tons of energy. Because I didnt have any stretch marks tell I was 8months pregnant I didnt think id get them at all..So I didnt always put cream and oil on, and that was a huge mistake, my stretch marks are now disgusting. I now weigh close to 190lbs.

I know that my stomach,butt,thighs and overall my whole body will never look the same again. I will try my hardest to look the best I can after this pregnancy, because I know I will never feel good about myself again if my body looks the way it does now.

I have attached a few pictures of before I was 8 months pregnant, 8months pregnant and now. I will update what I look like after I give birth. Whenever this baby decides to come lol..

Young Mama, 3 Babies, Ex-Stripper (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Homebirth, Piercing, Postpartum, Submissions, Third Pregnancy 12 Comments

Ripe, Soft and fertile..

I was 57kg with 10c bust for seven years before pregnancy number 1 at age 23. (first two photos)

Danced till I was 12 weeks pregnant- then left because I was self conscious of my rounded tummy.

Put on 30kg rocketed to a 14ee bust and naturally birthed (No Drugs) Son 9pd. An alert energetic soul born after a 10 hour first labour.

I religiously oiled myself with jojoba daily and didn’t get a single stretchmark on my tummy, yet my milk engorged breasts were fanned with them.

Got back down to 64kg back stripping at 7 months post partum. (pink bikini photo)

Pregnancy number two had me rocket up to 95kg. a grand gain of 38kg over my original weight.

Yet I danced Until I was 20 weeks. I kept the weight down until then and had a wonderful 1950’s style outfit- corset/stockings/suspenders and no-one noticed!! I just made my hair bigger and lipstick redder!!! My final night I was dancing to raise the money for the liquor for my wedding.

I married the next week, my belly finally popped and we announced the pregnancy at the ceremony.

I was sad that I couldn’t have the dress of my dreams, nor a hens night…due to my pregnancy.

I was terribly self conscious and sad- I felt like I had to apologise as to why I was so heavy.

I couldn’t find clothes to fit, I even went up a shoe size to a size 10 (Aus) I was a size 18-20.

However, during the pregnancy I had an overall sense of calmness and ended up with a 5hr Labour.

naturally birthing unassisted my second son- 10pd. Born into water in our loungeroom. The most loving gentle soul I have ever met.

I didn’t lose any weight after the birth and was constantly being asked by strangers and friends I hadn’t seen in a while- “When” your baby due??” (Sometimes even when I was holding my newborn”

My answer was always cheerful- “I’ve HAD my baby! It just takes a while for my tummy to go back!”

But It never did. Breastfeeding, Physio, Gym, remedial massage, diets.. Nothing worked.. I still looked pregnant 16 weeks later, when indeed I did conceive and fill it with another baby..

Terrified of another enormous gain on top of the current weight- Under supervision- I hit the gym.

Best thing I ever did. I ended the pregnancy lighter than I started.

Another Natural Birth- 1HR 15MINS active labour 9pd 6oz baby girl.

So now, Im back to 84kg and have a realistic goal of a 14kg weight loss.

Two weeks after the birth I awoke to a spread of stretchmarks across my lower abdomen.

I laughed..after all the pregnancies- I couldn’t believe that the tiny tummy of my daughters had caused the marks!

I am now at peace with my body- and yes, I wore a bikini three weeks post partum in Bali. (last photo)

3 kids in- I earn’t my curves and know that in my old age I will look back on these days as the best years of my life.

Blessed with Youth, Ripe, soft and fertile..

3 pregnancies, 2 children, and pregnant with what we think are multiples! (Leigh)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Child Loss, Four or More Pregnancies, Postpartum, Pregnant, Submissions, Twins 11 Comments

Hi ladies! I am a (25 year old) mother of 2 right now, and pregnant for the 4Th time! We were pregnant with natural fraternal twins in 2004, but sadly lost them due to complications @ week 12. Now we are pretty sure we’re expecting twins again, if not more. We are both terrified and excited at the same time, it’s crazy!

I got a positive EPT on 3/19 then took 3 more because I thought they were lying to me. I had NO symptoms at all, which is odd for me. With my other 3 pregnancies I threw up if I even HEARD the word eggs & heaven help anyone within 5 feet of me if I smelled any kind of meat cooking.

I ended up in the ER 2 days later with spotting & cramps. They checked for a heartbeat, and found none. Since my periods are random I got an U/S to find out a due date & to check on baby. I hear this “Oh dear. I see 2 sacks but 1 may be a blood-pocket, so don’t worry if you have more bleeding.” I got no other information, and was terrified.

Well I got home and ended up searching the net for 7+ hours for blood pocket info. Then started freaking out about it, and then started relaxing when I saw that many women have had them and not lost their babies. Still I was/am scared and my OB couldn’t get me in until 4/26! I just want to know how many little humans I’m growing and if they’re OK.

I am 10 weeks along now and have gained 20lbs already! My 1st preg. I gained 13lbs, and got SM’s on my butt and breasts. #2 I gained maybe 15lbs and preg. ended at 12 weeks. #3 I gained 40lbs, became a Gestational Diabetic, expanded the SM’s on my butt (I couldn’t stop itching it) plus new ones on my thighs.

I think I am going to gain a lot more, and will probably get more SM’s, maybe even on my tummy this time. Being just 25, and having body image issue anyhow, I worry about it. Especially if it IS twins! I am scared to see the aftermath. What if hubby doesn’t want to touch me after? I already worry about that now, and have few stretch marks. :(

I want to share my some pictures with you all, and I plan to take a new picture every week to build a collage. Finding this site has helped me see that 1) I am NOT alone in my feelings & fears; 2) Bodies after birth are BEAUTIFUL, they really really are; and 3) Our bodies really don’t look as bad as we think they do!

Pic #1 – 8 1/2 months pregnant with my daughter
Pic #2 – 8 weeks along with my son.
Pic #3 – 16 weeks along with my son.
Pic #4 – 9 weeks current preg.
Pic #5 – 10 weeks with current preg.

I dunno, I am pretty sure its twins if not more, but that is just my opinion! Well thank you for reading this, and looking at my pictures. Hopefully I will keep taking pictures up until the end, and hopefully post partum as well to share!

2nd Pregnancy and still loving it – 21 weeks preggo (Rachel)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Breasts, Butt, Postpartum, Pregnant, Second Pregnancy, Submissions, Update 6 Comments

Previous entry can be seen here.

Here I am at 21 weeks with our second child. I would be happy to keep you guys posted on this pregnancy with progression pic submissions from this point out but I just don’t want to steal space from others. I’d like to invite all to shoot me an email to chat at rachelsigfried@yahoo.com.

Updated here.

Still Trying to Cope (Victoria)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pregnant, Submissions, Teen Mom, Update 4 Comments

Im 19 and im still coming to terms that my body changed. I gave birth 21months ago and I thought my body would go back to normal like when my mother gave birth to me but no that didn’t happen. I wasn’t skinny before but a normal weight for my body I just thought that it would be the same but no. My partner tells me i shouldn’t care or worry he loves me no matter what and has told me my tummy has gone down more
But its what i feel.

~Age:19
~Number of pregnancies and births: 1 pregnancy
~The age of your child: 21 months

Photo 1 is me today.
Photo 2 is me pregnant.
Photo 3 the last day I was pregnant.
Photo 4 My pride and joy. Daughter.

Updated here.

Coping with my body, a year after having baby number 1 (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Teen Mom 10 Comments

When I was 18 I found out I was pregnant. It was probably the scariest moment in my life so far, I knew I would keep the baby but I had no idea how to raise a child, I was still one myself. The fear turned into joy the moment I felt the first little kick from my baby, when I was 18 weeks pregnant on a flight across the country. From that moment on I was excited, my boyfriend who was 23 at the time took a little bit longer to accept the idea but eventually became happy with the idea he was going to be a daddy. I found out when I was 20 weeks along that I was going to have a girl. I had never really given much thought to having babies before, but I always knew if I were to have a baby, I wanted a girl so it was a very pleasant surprise when the ultrasound tech told me, its a girl. She printed out pictures for us and we went to the nearest baby store and bought our baby her first little pink outfit. My pregnancy went very well, I had no complications at all and felt fantastic almost the entire time, no morning sickness or anything not even any cravings! I didnt get stretch marks until I was 40 weeks pregnant. I was actually very upset when I saw the first ones in the mirror, and they kept coming. I had used cocoa butter for he first 37 weeks and then stopped because my mother told me her stretchmarks appeared when she was 30 weeks so I thought I was safe-WRONG. I only got stretchmarks on my belly though so I guess Im lucky that way. My birth went well, I was 42 weeks and had to be induced so I got the epidural fairly fast so I was only in pain for an hour maybe. 28 minutes of pushing and my beautiful little girl was looking me in the eyes. My first thought was “wow, she can really scream”. I was scared, but I have never felt happier in my life, I felt relief that the pregnancy was over (going 2 weeks overdue gets very uncomfortable) and I was sp happy to finally hold my 7 pound 12 ounce baby girl. I was 110 pounds pre pregnancy and at the very end I was 151. I lost 20 of it in the hospital, so going home I looked a lot smaller than I did when I went in. 6 weeks after I thought I was doing great but it seems like I have not gotten any smaller or in any better shape since the 6 week PP mark. I weigh 115 pounds but I still feel a lot bigger than I did pre baby. I have love handels that make my body look muffin like in any pair of jeans I wear. The only thing that did not change on my body was my breasts, they stayed almost the same as pre pregnancy. I notice they arent quite as perky but my boyfriend doesnt notice a difference. I feel so bad around all my other 20 year old friends who are in great shape and can wear tight clothes and not worry though. My daughter is worth every extra pound and all my stretchmarks, but I still wish I looked better. I have other friends who had children around the time I had mine and they look way better than I do, and its a little upsetting. My stretchmarks have faded but they are still very noticable.
Im glad this site exists, so women can share their stories and feelings. I have a hard time talking to people about how I feel about my body because I dont want to seem like Im complaining or fishing for compliments. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I look forward to reading yours too.

051809-anon-1

Wondering How My Postpartum Body Will Look? (Colorado Mama To Be)

Bonnie (SOAM) Before Pregnancy, Belly, Breasts, Question, Submissions 11 Comments

First off, this site is truly amazing. What incredible women you all are! My situation: I am 27 and just found out I am pregnant. It was a total accident, but I love my boyfriend and am not entirely opposed to having a baby. But we are both currently unemployed, which makes for a VERY scary situation bringing a baby into this world.

As many of you were, I’m terrified of the stretch marks and loose skin associated with pregnancy. I was an athlete in a Division-I college, and although that was eight years ago, I have since lost the definition and strength that I once had. This has resulted in a negative self-image. I know this may be impossible to tell, but I’m wondering how my body will react to pregnancy. Does anyone have similar skin and/or stomach/breast shape? I know we’re all different, but I’m just trying to get an idea of how I might look postpartum, and whether I can handle that emotionally. I am 5’5 and 152 pounds. My mother had average stretch marks that faded over time. Thanks so much for any input =)

3 1/2 Years Postpartum with Second Baby (Monique)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Complications in Pregnancy, Postpartum, Preemie, Second Pregnancy, Submissions, Teen Mom 3 Comments

name: monique
Age:24, had first baby at 16 and second at 20
Children: 2 little girls 6 and 3 almost 3 and a half years post parterm

First off i found this site along time ago but didnt ever think i would get the guts to send anything. but i now love my body just the way it is.

I got pregnant at 16 with my first daughter who is now 6 and amazing i had her at 17 after a really short pregnancy she was born at 33 weeks and weighed only 5 lbs but looking at her now you would never guess the bean pole was ever a preemie. i was a size 3 when i got pregnant with her and after words shrunk to a zero from breast feeding i was fortunate with her to get only one stretch mark that wasn’t even noticeable. i got pregnant at 20 with my second daughter and had a horrible pregnancy plagued with kidney problems and other health problem i was in the icu for almost a month while pregnant and they thought they would have to deliver her at 26 weeks via c section but i wouldn’t allow that. i ballooned while pregnant with her gaining 75 lbs on my very little body i did carry her to term as a matter of fact two weeks later then term but i wasn’t so lucky on losing the weight that time i lost only like 30 lbs and my husband did nothing but criticize my weight and all the stretch marks i got. but 3 years late im done all the pregnancy weight and now im at what i weighed when i got pregnant with my first daughter. granet i lost all the weight because i was going through a divorce but i am now in a healthy relationship and my boyfriend loves my body extra skin and stretch marks and all he tells me i should be proud of them because i have two beautiful and healthy daughters and i am proud. i hope to have more kids someday and even if i get more stretch marks i will still love my body no matter what. thank you for this site it helped a lot in accepting me the way i am.

Thankful and Blessed but Still Trying to Accept (mummyoftwodarlings)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Complications in Pregnancy, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Preemie, Pregnant, Second Pregnancy, Submissions 18 Comments

Ok, so I have been visiting this site for over a year now in the hope of it helping me accept and love my post baby body.

I am 30 years old, mother of 2 beautiful children. A daughter aged 3 and a son aged 16 months.

I married my first love in 2004 at around 147 lbs (I am 5ft 6.5). We decided pretty much straight after to start trying for a baby and after 6 months of hoping and praying every month, I finally got that positive result…..and then another…and so on until I’d worked my way through about 20 of the things and finally convinced myself that this was real and I was pregnant!

I had no problems until I reached 30 weeks. I was at work, about to lead a training day for about 20 teachers and I popped to the toilet first. That is when I noticed a few drops of blood. Panic stricken, I was rushed to the nearest hospital. To cut a long story short my darling daughter was delivered by emergency c section at 31 weeks exactly, as I was suffering a major placental abruption and she could have died if she stayed inside me any longer. She weighed 3lbs 7oz and stayed in Special Care Baby Unit for 6 weeks but is now thank God happy, healthy and very entertaining!

As I never got that big by 31 weeks my body pretty much went back to normal afterwards. A year later we decided to try for another, our last baby. I fell pregnant straight away but unfortunately miscarried at about 6 weeks. Fast forward another 6 weeks and I found myself staring at another positive test! Luckily the pregnancy went fairly smoothly and at 37 weeks my waters broke. I had to be induced though as nothing else was happening but despite that, I managed to deliver my son naturally. He has a few tummy problems after birth and stayed in hospital for a week in which time the problems righted themselves. After our daughter’s 6 week stay a week was bearable although I couldn’t wait to get him home!

During the last few weeks of my second pregnancy I developed a few stretch marks on my belly which to be honest I was gutted about. I religiously applied lotions and potions in the hope of avoiding them. I guess I was just that much bigger than first time around as I had carried my son for 6 weeks longer.

After the birth I weighed around 165 lbs, the most I had ever weighed. I lost the excess weight by about 5/6 months pp by joining a slimming group and going to the gym but then I gained about 14 lbs of that back over the next 10 months. I felt horrible about my stretched, saggy post baby belly and the excess weight wasn’t helping either so I rejoined the slimming group and restarted the exercise and here I am, 4 lbs away from my goal weight of 140 lbs and clothed I feel great but when I look at my belly I feel so disappointed.

I wouldn’t change having my children for any model’s body, and having to experience both my babies fight in hospital has made me so thankful for what I have. I am slowly learning to accept my new body and realise that the old one is gone for good. I am never going to look like my baby-less friends but I have something far more precious than their flab free, stretch mark free tummies!

The photos are:
29 weeks pregnant with #1 (2 weeks before she arrived)
36 weeks pregnant with #2 with stretchmarks (a few days before he arrived)
2 Today at 16 months pp with the baby belly I am still trying to accept

19 years old struggling to accept my new body. (Meg)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Children with Health Complications, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Teen Mom 4 Comments

I found out I was pregnant at 18. I was actually thrilled, even though the father and I had only been together for a short three months. I had a wonderful beginning to my pregnancy. I loved watching my belly grow, and eating whatever I felt like. (I always did anyways.) I was 120 lbs before pregnancy, and I gained exactly 35 lbs on the day of delivery. I’m now back at 128, not bad, but I’d like to lose more. At 21 weeks of pregnancy, something I had never considered a possibility, happened. My daughter was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. Actually, three. She has a single ventricle defect, luckily she has the right ventricle, which does most of the work, and is way easier to remedy than hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. Also, transposed arteries, meaning the two major arteries are reversed. And lastly, she has two large holes in her right ventricle, which are actually blessings in disguise. They keep the arteries open. She’s the strongest most beautiful person I’ve ever met. I am very blessed to have her, and I know this. She has beaten every odd the doctors thought she wouldn’t. I just wish I could be half as proud of the body she left me with as I am of her. I wish I would have known that the body I had before pregnancy was beautiful, and taken advantage of that. And as soon as I started to feel that my pregnant body was beautiful, my pregnancy became overwhelmingly stressful. After a long 36 hours of labor after being induced, she was born c-section. I got to see my Ava Elaine for about 30 seconds before they whisked her away to the NICU. She’s had her first of three surgeries, the next right around the corner, and she’s doing amazing! The pictures shown below are of me at almost 4 months postpartum. As you can see, I have an umbilical hernia, and I’ve had it since birth. I will be having surgery to fix that soon, and hope it helps the shape of my tummy a little. Right now it looks like a deformed brain.