First Pregnancy

Extremely Self-Consious About My 2 Month PP Body (Hollie)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions 17 Comments

My name is Hollie, I’m 21 years old, and I gave birth to my beautiful, wonderful son Triston 2 months ago. I gave birth vaginally, and slightly underestimated how much it would hurt, haha. I knew that my postpartum body wouldn’t be like my prepregnancy body by any means, but i didn’t expect the stretch marks to completely ravage my stomach, hips and legs the way they have.I’ve always had terrible problems with self-image (my mom would call my thunder thighs when i was younger and told me not to go to the beach for my honeymoon because my husband would definitely look at everyone but me and my dad would tell me i needed to stop eating so much, that I looked like i could eat someone out of house and home.) and that caused me to work out all the time in high school and I ended up with an incredibly toned tummy, and it’s been flat since then.Until I got pregnant and the comments started back up. I remember going to the lake when i was 7 months pregnant with my husband and my much skinnier friend and confidently wearing a 2-piece until my mom asked me how i wear that and stand next to my friend knowing she looked so much better than I did… so this has been like a nightmare to see every time I look in the mirror. I honestly don’t even see how my husband could find me attractive. This website has been a real help to me, when I found it I was on for an hour looking at the stories and pictures and they brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for creating a place like this where mommies like me can feel normal.

28 Weeks Pregnant (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Pregnant, Submissions 4 Comments

I am currently 24 years old and am pregnant with my first baby. A baby boy :) My husband and I have been together going on 4 years and have been married for a year, in May of 2012. We had our actual wedding/celebration on March 24th, 2012. On April 20th, 2012, my husband and I found out we were expecting our first child :) We were and are still beyond excited!! I was 6 weeks pregnant when we found out. The journey has been an interesting one! I am 5 feet tall and weighed 130lbs before I found out I was pregnant. I ended up losing 7 pounds in the first few weeks of my pregnancy! My husband and I like to camp and hang out with our friends, as well as hunt and fish and of course drink beer ;) After I found out I was pregnant, I obviously stopped drinking and stopped eating out everyday. I began eating very healthy and drinking lots of water. In the beginning, it was a little difficult for me, as my husband and I are still very young, and love to have fun together with our friends and family. I have always been paranoid about getting “fat” during pregnancy. My belly slowly started to form and finally popped at about 20 weeks of pregnancy. I have escaped stretch marks on my tummy, but have gained some on my breasts. I have attempted to stay active throughout my pregnancy, by doing prenatal yoga at home and in a studio. I also take my dog for walks when it is not 100 degrees outside, and I also do little leg and arm workouts to keep up with the toning. Being 28 weeks pregnant and feeling my little man move around in me is well worth it. I currently only weigh 139 lbs. I am still trying to eat healthy and take care of myself. As of this week, I have become very tired again :( Watching my body grow has definitely been an experience for me. All of my friends are tiny and I tend to get a little jealous when they look so stinkin cute! However, I am happy with my belly and body so far. My legs have always been pretty big! Although, they were the first things to go, I’d say. I will keep you all posted on my journey after motherhood. My babe is due December 17th, 2012 :)!

First picture: 6 weeks 1 day
Second picture: 20 weeks pregnant
Third Picture: 28 weeks pregnant

(Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Pregnant, Submissions 8 Comments

I’m 20 years old and pregnant with my first child. I’m 36 weeks pregnant. Before I got pregnant I’ve always been tiny 5’2 and 110 lbs. I loved my body and loved being skinny. Now I’ve already gained about 50 lbs and still gaining. About two days ago I noticed stretch marks and I haven’t stopped thinking about them since. I’m unsure of what to do about them and I’m really afraid of what my stomach will look like after birth. I have used cocoa butter my whole pregnancy it clearly doesn’t work. I’m do self concious and I’m not confident anymore. I just want to be happy with my body and I know I won’t be once I have the baby. Still trying to learn how to cope with everything :(

Update – Teen Learning to Love Her Body (Faith)

Bonnie (SOAM) Adoption, Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Teen Mom, Update 5 Comments

Your Age: 18
Number of pregnancies and births: 1
The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 3

Story: It has been three years. I posted my story 3 whole years ago, and I can’t believe time has flown by so fast.
Here is my original post.

What has changed? So much. It is unbelievable. I graduated high school, met two really nice ladies and they let me move in with them, I’m going to school, and I work here and there. Everything is going perfect. I am not with the same person I was with when I posted last. Things happened between us, which is just fine :)

My baby is now three years old, and I get pictures of him once in a while. Thank you women so much for the supportive comments.

I have lost about 40lbs, but I am still working on it.

Photo 1: 3 years PP. Still working on it
Photo 2: Me graduating high school
Photo 3: This is my beautiful son.

Stomach 2 Years PP (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Mom over 30, Postpartum, Submissions 5 Comments

Age: 31
Number of pregnancies and births: 1
The age of your children: 2 years old

I regret all the time I spent self-loathing after having my baby. I hated the dark line down my stomach that took over a year to fade away and the stretch marks I got. I also looked like I was still pregnant for a long time. Two years later, the line is gone and the stretch marks turned white and are practically invisible. I still have a pouch and these love handles that just don’t get any smaller but I am finally ok with my body. The only thing is… We want another baby so here we go again!

It takes a long time to heal ladies! Love yourself and be patient.

Update (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Update 14 Comments

Previous post here.

Today I am writing to show the progress i have made physically. But emotionally SO MUCH MORE, i CONFIDENTLY wear a two piece everywhere now, i EMBRACE every bit of the accomplishment my body went through. I have baby fever VERY badly and am wanting to try for baby number two! after 5 years (my son just started Kinder this year!!) and alot of self hate, i am happy and whole and ready to do it all over again.

ONLY this time, I got some irregular results back on my pap while making sure i was okay to try again. Now i am waiting on test results to come back to determine cervical cancer.

I am angry that I spent so much time hating my body and not appreciating it, and using it for its wonders, that now (perhaps) it may be too late. If I cannot have another child I know that I have been blessed with one AMAZING little boy and a VERY supportive husband. God has a plan. I just hope that plan allows me another baby.

* the picture attatched is over a 2 year process of eating healthier and working out moderatly… I could only imagine the results i could have if i just stopped eating so many carbs and sugars, but i am happy with who i am now and LOVE my body

Body Image Issues (Anonymous)

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

I am really struggling with body image issues. I am 3 months postpartum, with my first child, and really struggling with my self image. The pregnancy was unplanned, but my husband and I were overjoyed. I am 21 years old and feel as though I no longer have a “good” body. I feel sad, because I know it is affecting my sex life. Any words of advice/encouragement would be appreciated…

(The two following pictures are 3 months postpartum)

I wouldn’t trade my baby boy for the world, but I would trade my postpartum body… (Victorian)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Cesarean, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, PPD - Postpartum Depression, Submissions, Update 12 Comments

I love being a mommy but what I don’t love is the muffin top, stretch marks and saggy skin that I am left with. I went in for an induction on the 6th of August at 5pm I was in labor till 930 on the 7th when I had only dialated 2 centimeters and they did a c-section. It was upsetting but best for my baby. He was born 9lbs 7oz and 21 inches long. My baby boy will be 3 weeks old tomorrow and I am still fighting my postpartum depression. I don’t want to eat, leave the house, or have any company over. I can’t seem to pull myself out of this funk. I am so disgusted with my body and I feel terrible because my poor fiance tries so hard, but everytime he touches me or tries to compliment on how good I look my skin crawls. I hate my body and I don’t know how to cope. I want to feel comfortable in my skin and love my body again. I am 5’11 my pre pregnancy weight was 150 and I have always been in good shape. At 40 weeks I was 211! 3 weeks out I am now 176 slowly losing the weight. Seeing everyones post and knowing that my body will never be the same upsets me. I wish I had the confidence and love for my new mommy body.. I have heard that the belly is the hardest to lose and the stretch marks will never go away. I feel like the more weight I lose the more indented and ugly my stretch marks become. I can’t wait to get back into the gym and its so hard knowing I have to wait 6 weeks. I really hope that once I am able to start I won’t be disappointed and it will help me start feeling better about myself..

~Age: 20
~Number of pregnancies and births: 2 pregnancies 1 birth
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 3 weeks

Updated here.

I don’t feel pretty anymore. (Amanda)

Bonnie (SOAM) Before Pregnancy, Belly, First Pregnancy, Pregnant, Submissions 5 Comments

Age – 21
Pregnancies – 1
Births – Due Dec. 4th, 2012

Hi, I am 25 weeks pregnant. I was 209 pounds before my pregnancy and have gained 21 pounds so far. My BMI indicates that I was MORBIDLY obese before my pregnancy, but that is far from true. I think BMI’s are a joke, honestly.

I have always been between 150-175 and always felt GREAT! I don’t know if it was because I was going through a lot in my life at the time, or because I was just comfortable with my fiance’ (we recently married <3) but I put on some weight in the last couple of years. My husband is very supportive and tells me everyday how beautiful I am. I think my biggest problem is my new stretch marks on my belly. I was hopeful that I wouldn't get any, but of course, lo and behold, they showed up at about 20 weeks. :( I have always had stretch marks on my thighs and sides, but NEVER on my belly, so I always felt comfortable in a 2 piece. Not anymore! I don't feel comfortable in CLOTHES let alone a bathing suit anymore. I just think they are terrible and I cry sometimes when I look at them. I want to feel sexy for my husband. I want to be in shape and I want to look good. I have also had a scare with gestational diabetes and I just did my 3 hour glucose test 3 days ago and we are waiting for the results. I have the worst anxiety about this pregnancy and I try to control it because I want to be strong for my husband and my daughter, but some days it is just so much to handle. I just hope one day I can feel better about myself. :/ Pic 1 - Me at my thinnest Pic 2 - Me at my ideal weight Pic 3 - Me pre-baby Pic 4 - 23 weeks pregnant on my wedding day Pic 5 - 25 weeks prego Pic 6 - 25 week belly :/ [gallery]

Struggling to Accept My Body and Find Time to Work Out (Megan)

Bonnie (SOAM) Before Pregnancy, Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pregnant, Submissions 11 Comments

Age: 28
Baby: 14 weeks, baby girl Rain Lily
First pregnancy and birth

First off I would like to say I am truly blessed to have my beautiful Baby Girl. I have never loved anything or anyone so much. She puts a smile on my face everyday, and I couldn`t imagine my life without her. The day I found out I was pregnant my Fiance and I we over the moon. We had been trying for over a year and felt like it just wasn`t in the cards for us so when we saw that positive pregnancy test it truly was a dream come true.

My pregnancy was okay. During my last few weeks (I delivered at 39 weeks induced) my blood pressure raised and I was retaining alot of water. My feet almost tripled in size! So I was a little uncomfortable but all and all my pregnancy had no complications and I stayed reletively healthy. I did gain 50lbs though! (my baby girl was only 6lbs 8 oz) Pre pregnancy I was 5`8 and 125lbs (size 2) on the day of my delivery I was 175lbs!

I am now 14 weeks Post partum and loving every day of being a mother. It truly is an incredible feeling to have such a bond with such an amazing little being. But I am struggling with my own self image. I hate looking in the mirror I feel flabby and fat. I am now at 140lbs 15lbs off my prepregnancy. I am wearing a size 6 now so a bit far off of my prepregnancy size 2. My Fiance assures me that he still finds me sexy and likes my post pregnancy body but when I look in the mirror I don`t see anything I like. I walk twice a day for an hour each time, but other than that I am finding it hard to work out. I try to do yoga at least twice a week but my sweet baby girl just isn`t the greatest napper and I really am not good at leaving her with anyone either. My fiance works out of town for 3-4 weeks at a time so I am mostly on my own. My mom has offered to babysit for an hour while I go to the gym but I just get this anxiety (nothing against my mom) about leaving her….. I just want her in my sight all the time. But I also feel like I will never get my body back if I dont start something now! I am exclusively breastfeeding as well so that makes it harder to leave her as well. I am just concerned that I will never feel sexy again. I am truly greatful for this site because it shows me that I am not alone in my feelings and with all these great post pregnancy pictures it gives me faith that I will be able to have some what of my old body back.

I have attached 2 pics of me pre pregnancy about a month before I conceieved
A pic of me at 38 weeks pregnant
And 2 pics of me at 14 weeks post partum
And 2 pic of my gorgeous baby Rain Lily and one of us both

Any feed back on what work outs work while staying at home with the little one and maybe some words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

I have so much love and respect for all the wonderful Moms out there!