Submissions

11 Months Postpartum (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Postpartum, Second Pregnancy, Submissions, Update 12 Comments

Original entry here.

11 months postpartum
2 sons, a 5 year old and a one year old

Just wanted to update after my pregnancy weight loss. It’s been close to a year since my wonderful son was born and he is just amazing. When I first posted, I was literally crying every day over my stomach. I am so thankful to this site for making me feel more confident than ever!
I’m still planning on a tummy tuck, (what you can’t see in the pictures is how horrible the stretch marks are and loose skin) hopefully in the next year or two, but I am grateful that my stomach actually looks better than I thought it would! I lost 55 pounds and now am going to concentrate on toning my entire body as much as possible.

Thank you!

Plus-Sized, Proud and a mommy to a monkey! (Monkey’s Mommy)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Breasts, First Pregnancy, Plus-Sized Mom, Submissions, Thyroid Issues 31 Comments

Let me start of by saying I am very proud of who I am. I don’t let the numbers on the scale dictate my happiness. With that being said, here is my story. I am 24 years old and i am a plus sized mommy. I have been plus size since 4th grade and so I really don’t know or remember life any other way.
I got pregnant May of 2008 at 308lbs. I had recently become engaged to my now husband and we had planned a July 2009 wedding. Little did we know we would become pregnant and push up our wedding to September 2008. Our child wasn’t planned, but was 100% wanted. Since we weren’t planning this pregnancy, we were unsure of when she was conceived. We ended up having a Due Date Scan to find out that our child was due January 27th, 2009.
I was over joyed with the fact that I had this life growing inside me. I couldn’t wait for the 1st kicks and I counted down the months until we knew the sex (a girl that we found out 3 days before our wedding, and kept it a secret until our wedding reception where I announced it to all our family and friends). I had a normal pregnancy. No Gestational Diabetes, and only a high blood pressure issue from 36 to 38 weeks that corrected itself. My due date came and went. I stayed at 1cm until I was induced.
My induction went very smoothly and my daughter entered the world on February 4th, 2009 at 8:10 pm via a vaginal, medicated birth. She weighed in at 8lbs 9.4 oz and scored a 9 out of 10 on both her apgar scores. I ended up weighing 326lbs right before delivery. Once home I weighed myself and I was down to 311lbs.
At 4 months postpartum I was diagnosed with PPT (Postpartum Thyroiditis) I have to now take medication for my thyroid. Other than that, I have had no issues with myself. My current weight is 290lbs and I am 7 months PP. I have been working on trying to be healthier, not so much with weight on my mind. I am happy with my body, my husband has never know, seen me any other way and he loves all my curves.
For all the women out there who feel like they would be happier a size or three smaller I say, be proud of who you are, not what your BMI is or your weight is. Love you for you!

~Your Age: I am 24 years old
~Number of pregnancies and births: 1 pregnancy resulting in 1 birth

~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: Mya, my daughter is 7 months old and i am 7 months PP

Wanting accept my body changes (Ashley)

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

August 26, 2008 was the day i found out i was pregnant, this day was also my boyfriend’s birthday (what a birthday gift I gave him…hahaha). So I woke up that morning and for some reason I thought maybe I’d take a home pregnancy test because the day before I was worrying since we weren’t using protection. When I saw that positive I was so distraught, very scared and clueless of what to do. I barely turned 18 and my boyfriend was turning 17. Both very young with a big future ahead of us and finding out we we’re expecting wasn’t very easy to accept. We both thought about abortion and I made an appointment, the day came and the doctor told me the baby was too little to be seen in sonogram, I was probably less than 4 weeks and arranged another appointment 2 weeks later. During those 2 weeks so much changed.

I was living with my best friends family. I told my best friend I was pregnant and it was suppose to be a secret. She told her mom and she was against the abortion and talked to me about the choices I could do but abortion wasn’t an option. That day I realized I couldn’t kill the love I’ve made with my boyfriend. I felt very stupid for ever thinking I could abort and felt selfish. There’s a reason why these things happen. I thought to myself that if i would have aborted I would have felt like a coward and would have not owned up to my responsibilities for the actions i made. Each day passed and I was very happy with my choice except thinking of what my body would end up like.

I’ve always been a girl with low self-esteem my height didn’t help (4’11) and knowing that my body would change drastically wasn’t something I liked to accept, all the stretch marks and a big belly. Though days went on and I was happy that I had a real easy pregnancy with no morning sicknesses, I was able to sleep good even to the last day, and still no stretch marks. Until the last month was when I was able to see my stretch marks, they weren’t very visible but I knew they we’re there.

The day my water broke was May 1st and I was nervous, excited, scared, so many mixed emotions I just couldn’t wait to meet my little one I had been carrying inside me for 9 months. I was having trouble during labor. My cervix wasn’t dialating and after 10 hours I only dialated barely 2 centimeters. Doctor told me I had to get a c-section. I was very upset at first because this was not how I planned on how I wanted to give birth. On May 2, 2009 I gave birth to a beautiful healthy daughter named Hailey weighing 7 lbs. and 7 ounces and 18 inches long.

It’s been almost about 4 months since I gave birth and I am very proud and happy young mom. I love being a mother and I am very glad that I didn’t go through with the abortion because I know if I did I would never be able to forgive myself.

Everything is great except one thing. I love daughter so much but I’m still learning to accept my body. So far I’ve learned to accept my stretch marks because I know somehow one way or another my belly had to stretch for new life I was carrying and also because my stretch marks we’re made with love because of my little one. I just don’t like my sagging tummy and I just don’t feel good about my image. I see how many girls my age would dress and I would like to feel good in what I dress in and not worry about how I look or people say. Sometimes it helps when my boyfriend tells me that I shouldn’t worry that he still loves the way I look and my tummy is special because that’s where Hailey came out from. But I guess it’ll take sometime. I’m just glad that I was able to give life because she makes everything so worth it.

below are some pictures

1. Before pregnancy
2. 39 weeks pregnant
3. Hailey’s latest picture
4. 16 weeks postpartum front view
5. side view

Age: 19
Number of pregnancies & birth: 1
Age age of my child: 3 months and 4 weeks

My Story (Chrissy)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions 19 Comments

~Age: 19 almost 20
~Number of pregnancies and births: 1 pregnancy, 1 birth
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 2 1/2 months postpartum

After nine months of trying, starting almost imediately after our honeymoon ended, my husband and I became pregnant for the first time. It was very shortly after my eighteenth birthday that I conceived. I had a relatively easy pregnancy, not a whole lot of morning sickness or heartburn. I was very uncomfortable, what with round ligament pain and other aches. So much so that I would sometimes remain in bed all day. I did feel beautiful and fertile, all rounded and plump. And I treasured every little kick and movement that ensured me of the healthy, happy little one that was growing inside my womb.
Today marks the day when my son Raydon turns 2 and a 1/2 months old. He is the most beautiful little boy and I wouldnt trade him for anything in the world. I was 38 weeks to the day, June 14th, 2009, when my water broke. I had been pulling an all nighter with my uncle and husband and therefore had had absolutely no sleep. Unfortunately, that left me facing a 16 hour labor exausted. My original goal had been an all natural birth, with no chemical pain relief. In my case, that was not going to be an option because I totally panicked at four centimeters and begged for an epidural. After the epidural kicked in, I was finally able to sleep. Midway through the labor, my son began to have difficulties and was showing signs of distress. His heart rate kept dropping too low and the doctors were worried that my labor was too vigorous for him. They proceeded to flip me all over the place, without explaining what was going on, to try and raise his heartbeat. They also administered a drug to stop my contractions. As you can imagine, I was frantic. I still feel sick to my stomach thinking about the entire ordeal. The delivery itself seemed to be going well until the doctor thought my little boy was stuck. I had a nurse on top of me pushing on my belly while two others pushed my knees to my ears and the doctor pulled and twisted my poor baby around. My husband was unable to cut the umbilical cord and it was nearly ten minutes before I was even allowed to see my baby for they thought they had dislocated his shoulders. After all was said and done, both my son and I were fine and dandy and headed off to our room. Only a few short hours later, I hemoraged and had to receive the most excruciating treatment that I could ever imagine. The doctor had to use his hands to clear out the blood clots that had formed in my uterus. You can only imagine how painful that was. I am not completely sure if I want to have any more children. I am thoroughly traumatized.
Fortunately, I have recovered well and my son is growing rapidly. I am pumping for him because I have disfunctional nipples ( I have flat or inverted nipples, making it very painful to breastfeed ). I gained a total of 45 pounds throughout my pregnancy and within the first three weeks, lost 30 of it. In the end of my pregnancy I weighed somewhere around 213 pounds. I am now down to 179, only nine pounds over my prepregnancy weight. I really hate the way my body looks… I have stretch marks that start two inches above my belly button and extend all the way down to approximately 5 inches below my knees. I feel as though I am disfigured and I fear, at times, that my husband will not find me desirable… I am self concious and sometimes feel awkward undressing in from of my husband, though he assures me daily that I am beautiful and sexy, that he loves my badges of honor ( stretch marks ). Even so, I feel ugly and floppy and I trully regret the fact that I never appreciated the body that I had before getting pregnant.
I know that with the proper diet and exercise, all will get better. I was recently in a car accident, so Im in physical therapy and I am afraid to pursue a more vigorous exercise regime.
This website has shown me that I AM beautiful and that I should wear my scars with pride, because with them, I brought the most beautiful little man into the world. My son is my life and I strive to be the best mommy for him. I just wish I felt more confident looking into the mirror…

Photos # 1-3 : 2 and a 1/2 month postpartum tummy
Photo # 4 : stretch marks on my leg
Photo # 5 : Side stretch marks
Photo # 6 : My little man
Photo # 7 : Mommy and Baby!

23 year old mum with 2 kids. 7 months PP (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Breasts, Postpartum, Second Pregnancy, Submissions 8 Comments

Hi, I am a 23 year old mum with 2 boys. Aged 2.5 and 7 months. I love my children and think they are the most wonderful gift that has been given to me. I wish I could think the same about my body.
I don’t think I look to bad for someone that has 2 children but I do see lots of room for improvement.
My husband tells me I am sexy and that he likes the look of me after having kids.

Somedays I wake up and think. OK I look pretty good today. Then other days I feel so ugly. I am getting there.

This summer I may even wear a bikini. Hubby thinks I have a good body for one so I might trust him on that. Then again maybe I will end up wearing a shirt over the top of it.

Wedding Night Baby (Achtung)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pregnant, Submissions 2 Comments

Your Age: 24
Number of pregnancies and births: 1 pregnancy 1 birth
The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: 5 months now, 2 months in the photos

My son was a surprise pregnancy. He was even more of a surprise as he was apparently conceived on our wedding night. After making it through my most of first year of teaching, I gave birth to my son as soon as Spring Break started. I went into labor spontaneously at 36 weeks 5 days. After 23 hours 55 minutes of labor, my son was born at 36 weeks 6 days. He weighed 6lbs13oz and has been exclusively breastfed. He’s almost five months old now (and ten pounds heavier than when he was born!), but the picture I have are from two months postpartum. I’ve dealt with postpartum hypothyroidism and have had a heck of a time attempting to lose weight. The first two photos are from three days before giving birth. The second two pictures are two months postpartum and with ten of the 35 pounds I gained during pregnancy lost. I still have a ways to go, but I’m getting there! I’m finally feeling comfortable with the way I look.

Update (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Cesarean, Cesarean Scar and/or Incision, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Update 15 Comments

Hi, I’ve posted 2 or 3 times before here, my last post being in March. It’s now August and my baby will be 1 year old in just a few weeks! Here’s a link to my previous submissions:

New Mommy Worried
Six Weeks Postpartum
Making Progress
More Progress!

I’ve been through a lot since my last post, my husband and I separated (we’re back together and working things out now!) and I stopped working out or doing much of anything for about 3 months while I was staying with my parents. We’ve been back together for about 2 months now and we’ve recently started a new workout program together. We’re doing P90X and it’s fantastic! We’re only on day 6 and already there is such a dramatic difference in my body! Caden was my first baby, I became pregnant aat 19 and gave birth to him at 20. It’s taken quite a while for my body to “bounce back” so I guess that myth of younger bodies bouncing back faster is wrong! The photos I’ve attached are from 8/19/08. In the comparison photo the one on the left is from December 2008 at 10 1/2 weeks PP. Today makes exactly 11 months PP! I hope my story and progress can inspire many others! I’ve also included a picture of my son. =]

Self appreciation, finally. (Cynthia)

Bonnie (SOAM) Before Pregnancy, Belly, First Pregnancy, PCOS, Plus-Sized Mom, Pregnant, Submissions 14 Comments

Pregnancy can make you feel like your body is no longer your own. It can ruin your self-esteem and make you hate the shell you’re living in. But for some people pregnancy can finally make you feel like your body is WORTH something. This is my story…

I’ve always been a bigger girl. I’ve hated my body my entire adult life. I have had stretch marks everywhere since I was 14. I went from a size 11 to a size 22 in about 4 years. It was devastating and I never thought I’d be able to love myself.
My fiance and I started trying to conceive in December of 2006. I knew that it would be a long hard road. (I have PCOS and it took a while to find out I wasn’t actually ovulating despite having normal periods thanks to Metformin.) I worked on my diet and I tried to exercise, knowing that losing weight would help my fertility and boost my confidence. I fluctuated between losing and gaining the same 10 pounds the entire time we tried to make this happen.
I am 5’4″ and weighed 247 pounds the day we got our positive pregnancy test. Surprisingly I’ve lost 11 pounds since then and I feel better about my body than I ever have in my entire life. I haven’t changed pants sizes or shirt sizes. I’ve gotten rounder and now that I finally look pregnant at 23 weeks I feel fabulous.
I may be overweight (according to most weight charts–morbidly obese) but god damn, I can make a human life, and that is what this is all about. My body can do what a size 6 body can do, what a size 11 body can do, what most women can do… and in the process make me happier than I have been in my life.

And for good measure, a pre-pregnancy picture, from about November 2006. And a belly picture from yesterday at 23 weeks 3 days pregnant.

~Age: 23
~Number of pregnancies and births: This is my first pregnancy.

First Time Mom && Emergency C-Section (Heather)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Breasts, Cesarean, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Teen Mom 5 Comments

I’m Heather. I’m 20 years old & found out I was pregnant when I was 17 years old. I had my child at 18 & he will be turning three in February. I was in premature labor labor (3 weeks early)for 2 days && ended up having a c-section. Before I got pregnant, I was 5’3 &140 lbs ,very athletic ( a size 9). During pregnancy , I gained 26 lbs (I weight 166 lbs & was a size 15 at birth) I had a 7 lb 21′ long son. After pregnancy , I am a size 11 & weigh 155 lbs. 34 D . I do work out a lot & I am slowly getting my body back! I am not quiet use to the stretch marks & extra skin, but it’s getting better!

Destination : Self Acceptance (Tee)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Breasts, Legs, Postpartum, Second Pregnancy, Submissions, Update 21 Comments

Age: 26
2 pregnancies
2 children ages 10 and 18 months

I’ve posted here before under “Almost a year later“. Its now a little over a year and a half since the birth of my youngest. And I gotta say I am still striving to love the body that has become me. Despite my best efforts my weight is still stuck around 160 (i’m 5’6) so according to BMI I am overweight. My breast are pancakey and a lil asymmetric and my nippies are stretched out from breast feeding both boys. My body is plagued with stretch marks – head to toe. But I am a mother strong and loving who would not change a thing at the expense of my boys. Happily married to a man who loves. What more can I ask for, right? Maybe one day I will be content with my body but until then I will keeping waiting to reach my destination….Self Acceptance – are we there yet?