Original entries here and here.
I have posted recent photos of me twice before, but now I have a beautiful drawing a friend did, from the only photo I have of me pregnant, almost 26 years ago, 2 days before my son was born. I am going to display this in my lounge – my sons and some friends may be prudish but I have no shame and am so proud of this lovely, sensitive drawing he did especially for me.
I got pregnant with my son when I was 22 years old around Christmas time. My husband had just returned from Iraq and we planned to try for a child. A month later, we were pregnant! We found out it was a boy and from there were so excited to be parents. I was 109 lbs then with a 5’3 body frame and have been stick then my whole life. My family is use to having big babies and never thought I would have one. Once I pushed my son out, my stomach sunk in like I’ve never seen before. HE WAS BEAUTIFUL! (he still is) and I couldn’t stop telling him how gorgeous he was! Then they weighed him. Coming out at 9lbs 4 oz and 20 1/2 inches long! It was the most amazing thing, I felt incredibly connected to him! (The next month my sister had a baby the same size!!!) Afterwards, I noticed my belly button had loose skin.Afterwards we went through another deployment and I barely ever worked out nor did I want too. And I still havent (he is now home, again!). I am very comfortable in my skin now. I have come to terms with the loose skin and stretch marks. He came out healthy and is an incredibly sweet little boy, so I know how blessed I am. I went back to being tiny again, just had that little extra. My husband still finds me incredibly sexy and that is all that matters. As a matter of fact, I think I look great! I love my boobs (which seemed to have kept its shape). Anyway, I wanted to share my pictures!!!!
+Number of pregnancies: 1
+Number of births: 1
+Age of my son: 19 months
Pictures I included:
+A picture of me 9 months pregnant
+A picture of me and my son (now)
+Picture of belly now
Most people my age are changing their majors in college, because they decided they don’t really like Art History as much as they thought they would.
They know exactly how many beers they can drink and probably still drive home.
They still are secretly thrilled that Mom can’t tell them what to eat or the “appropriate” way for someone that age to dress.
But not I.
I have been married almost four years, have experienced what “Two under two” really means, and yes – I relish the fact that I would rather sit at home watching Madagascar 2 then go to the club.
I met the man of my dreams when I was 17, married him within five months, and got pregnant in our first year. I was 5’3, and 125 pounds (super muscular too; I was a dancer).
I gained at least SIXTY pounds by the end.
And nobody told me that might happen. I never lost enough to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I tried so hard to have the self esteem I once did, but those around me were determined to bring me down. One of my friends felt the need to tell me that “a few crunches would tighten that tummy right up.” Thanks, skinny friend of mine. People close to me thought it was a good idea to enlighten me as to why I “gained so much EXTRA weight.” Apparently, they thought it was just me being a cow while pregnant. Okay, maybe that last part is a teensy bit true.
My amazing and beautiful daughter made me forget about the things that used to matter to me. Like: how I look in a bikini; is that girl staring at me because she is jealous of my awesome boobs; can I buy that in a size small…. These things magically got away from me while I was busy raising my baby. Also, she started walking at 7 months old, so I didn’t have much time to sit and think anyways. Bless her little heart.
I got pregnant again when she was ten months old, and I was 150 pounds. And I decided I was happy with that.
I only gained 30 pounds the second time around.
When my baby boy was born, my tummy seemed to recede much faster. Maybe it was because I was chasing around my 1.5 year old. Who knows.
I felt myself getting happier about my body so much sooner. Everything has fallen into place for me now – I spend my time worrying about toy recalls, wondering if my girl can still fit her fat head into the 12 month shirt, when my boy will decide that boobies are not enough and that he wants some real food, and how my toddler wakes up several times a night but my infant sleeps at least 8 hours straight.
It really helps that my husband is realistic – he knows exactly what a body is going to look like after a baby. And he tells me everyday that I am just as beautiful as I have ever been (except now and then he says I am just a little bit more beautiful…. he is such a wily one). I stare at myself in the mirror all the time and say, “You are one hot momma!”
And not because I am flawless. But because I know what makes me attractive to the people who matter; the fact that I am doing a great job raising my children.
I know my body isn’t perfect now. But it wasn’t perfect when I was skinny either. My life, on the other hand, feels about as close to perfect as it can get. At least until we have our other four children.
Me, four months after baby #2
Trying to cope with my shape as a new mother!!!!!Please help!!!
My name is Revae and Im 22 yrs old first time mom. I am currently 14 weeks postpartum, and Im having a really hard time coming to terms with my new body. I had my beautiful little angel Jan 18 2009 and I love being a mommy. Ok here goes nothing, my pre pregnancy weight was 170 and I am 5’9, I got up to 225 when I was pregnant alot of the weight just fell off and Im now 183lbs and I love the way my new size 16 jeans look on. But when Im naked I feel disgusted with my apperance, My husband says he likes my new look and that he thinks that’s the way a mother is supposed to look. But I just feel so unsexy when we make love ya know all the jiggly jello just makes me uncomfortable PLEASE HELP ME COME TO TERMS WITH MY NEW LOOK I NEED THE SOME ADVICE AND NEW MOMMY FRIENDS!!!!
1st pic 8 months preggo
2nd pic Me
3rd pic 14 weeks postpartum
4th pic 14 weeks postpartum
5th pic 14 weeks postpartum
6th pic 14 weeks postpartum
7th pic 14 weeks postpartum
8th pic 14 weeks postpartum
9th pic C- Section scar
I can not believe that I have accidentally found this wonderful website – a breath of fresh air!! Thank you so much for dispelling the myth that we all go straight back to our post baby bodies, it is such a relief to see that others know this fact and accept it. Why should we go back to that body anyway, we are different, more important people; we are mothers!!
I had my first child when I was 23, and I did not have too much trouble losing the 23 kg I put on during that pregnancy. I was lucky, only a few stretch marks on my breasts. However with my second child, while I put on less weight, I had a bigger baby, I got heaps of stretch marks, and a lovely saggy tummy that just won’t budge.
I see pictures in magazines of celebrities who lose all their weight in like 4 weeks, and have wonderful flat stomachs – it just makes me feel horrid. I always though that women (and their partners) need to know the truth; if you can be prepared for the complete transformation that you go through, I’m certain that we would be able to accept and possible even love, our post-baby bodies.
First pregnancy, 40 weeks. 38 weeks pregnant with Luci, my second child, born via c-section then following morning weighing 8lb 7oz.
hi! my name is Kourtni. I am 18 years old, and currently 34 weeks pregnant. I am trying to prepare myself for what my body will look like after i give birth, but it is hard. I have been overweight most of my life, so I never really got to show off. And now i think I will never get the chance =(. I guess bikinis just aren’t for me. But I know I will work hard to get the body that I want ( or close to it) after my little girl is born. I love my baby belly and wouldn’t change it for the world!
As I come towards the end of my pregnancy it surprises me that life is so fragile. I have seen my body grow from fat to another human being. However what takes my breath away is the loss of my bellybutton. It has not gone to being flat or popped out instead it sits in a strange stage looking like a pair of lips. My husband looks and says to me “your belly button reminds me of lips like a puffer fish.” I can honestly say I am jealous of those who’s belly buttons look perfectly flush or popped out.
~Your Age: 28
~Number of pregnancies and births: 2nd pregnacy, 0 births
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 35 weeks pregnant
Updated here.
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..
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!
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.