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..