I had my first son 21 years ago. I remember being somewhat prepared for what the birth would be like (honestly, not as bad as I expected!) but what completely threw me was looking down at my body during that first post-birth shower. My stomach looked like that of a 90 year old woman! Droopy, saggy, weirdly wrinkled. I was horrified. I burst into tears because I thought I would look like that always and I remember thinking “why didn’t anyone TELL me??”. Of course I eventually bounced back (albeit a little slower with each child) but I sure felt alone at that moment. I think your site is wonderful for new mom’s and moms-to-be. Every mother’s body is something to be celebrated and I want to thank all of you for sharing your stories and pictures.
Submissions
Working Hard to be Me Again! (Anonymous)
I used to be 5’2 and weighed 115… when I got pregnant I gained 30 pounds.. mind you IM 5’2! So all that weight really REALLY shows! I now weigh 142 ~ 17 months later! I nursed exclusively for 16 months so I didn’t try and lose the weight but now I am getting on it! I hope to be in a bikini this summer… and with tanning my stretch marks have seemed to fade a little… I am just so ready to feel comfortable in my skin! Here are a few pics of me … hopefully I can post some nice after pictures soon!
Making Peace, Finally (Anonymous)
Having finally embraced that my waistline is not nearly as much of an “attribute” as it once was, I find myself, now at 28 with a 7 and 3 year old, truly loving my curves! I actually enjoy wearing flowing, comfortable, empire waist tops that don’t cling to my now ooooh so soft fleshy tummy and droopy breasts. I relish in the fact that I don’t have to try and ‘suck it in” to look sexy or trendy anymore. I look beautiful in anything I wear as long as it fits my ‘new’ body the right way! Having nursed my beautiful babies a combined total of 5 1/2 years, having one natural labor and delivery and one planned c section, I feel as though my body has blessed me in so many ways! I am currently about 185 lbs which is a little much on my 5’4″ frame so for my health and my comfort I am trying to eat healthier and get more exercise, but I just wanted to celebrate these ‘love’ handles, stretch marks, extra fat and saggy boobies with all the other BEAUTIFUL mommies on here! Thank you for reading
6 Months PP (Anonymous)
Hi, I’m 18 & I just had my beautiful son 6 months ago. It’s been really hard to lose weight & sometimes I lack confidence because of my stomach. I was 153 pre pregnacy weight. I went up to 198 by the time I was 9 months & now I’m 169. I really enjoy reading this site, it gives me a little hope that I can lose it in time & I’m happy to know I’m not alone.
More Progress!
Here’s another of my previous entries. It’s been quite a long time since I posted on here, I’ve been working very hard, working out almost every day and eating right. It’s been a slow process but I am now 5 1/2 months postpartum and the difference from my first few entries is VERY noticeable! I’m so excited to be making noticeable progress, I hope it continues! I have noticed, though, that my belly seems to be a little lopsided, I suppose it’s the way the doctor made the incision? In any case, here are a few pictures from today in some my belly is relaxed and in some I am flexing the abdominal muscles that I have worked very hard to strengthen! Hope I can inspire someone. =]
Update at 7 Months PP (Jessica)
I’m writing to update my previous post at a few weeks postpartum back in August/September 2008. I am now 7 months postpartum and (very) slowly coming to terms with my “new” body. The lines are fading in color, but the texture, I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to! My husband assures me that I am more beautiful now, and I pray that someday I believe even an ounce of that statement. My sweet girl has her first tooth, is crawling, and is still breastfeeding (which has taken a huge toll on my once perky breasts!) Here is a before and current photo of my belly and a shot of my little angel Natalie.
Updated here.
Still Trying to Cope with My New Body (Becky)
I am a 20 year old stay at home mother of a 15 month old, and while my body has gone back to almost the same, it isn’t how it used to be. I get horribly depressed over the fact that my hips are now wider, and that I’m not the old me anymore. All my life growing up I was considered the small one, and everyone in my life really put an emphasis on my weight. When I found out I was pregnant June 07 (I found out late) I was at a weight of 107lbs 5’5. ( I now weigh 114lbs.) By the time I was due, I had gained 20 lbs, and I became even more depressed, but I just kept telling myself it was for the baby. When my son was born Dec 1st 07, I left the hospital wearing the same size jeans as before, but my skin was all flabby. :( Over a year later, its gotten better, but its not as tight as it used to be. I managed to get back into a bikini this past summer, but felt embarrassed and uncomfortable at the same time. My breasts have sagged, and have stretch marks covering them. I constantly wear a push up bra, but they still aren’t as perky as they were before. I cant really complain though, because my son was worth it, and I would gladly go through this all again for him. And even though my boyfriend likes my curves more now, then before, its still hard to look in the mirror and agree. Maybe someday I can be happy with my body again. Also as a prize to me for having my son, I got a navel piercing. I like it, but I think it emphasizes the loose skin I have in the middle of my stomach. :( -Becky
I’ve got “Twin Skin” and I’m Proud of it! (Kasondra)
Previous entry here.
I posted back in July when I was blessed with the exciting news that I would be having twins. I had been bleeding and had to go in for an emergency ultrasound. We found out at that time that we were gonna be in for a wild ride. Surprisingly I only gained 35 pounds during the pregnancy (honestly was still 60 pounds heavier than before my 2 year old)….But my stomach was beyond huge. At 35 weeks pregnant my uterus measured 57 1/2 cm and could no longer hold the pressure of my babies. The twins were 5 weeks early weighing 7 1/4 and 5 1/2 pounds. I am now 5 weeks postpartum…And though I am yet another victim of the “twin skin dilemma”….I am beyond proud of the 3 beautiful children that thsi body has given to me….And I wear my stretchmarks proudly….As should all of you beautiful mommies….. The pictures below are of my belly at 32 weeks pregnant…. The 2 beautiful babies that came from that big o belly…. the proud big brother…. 8 days postpartum and 5 weeks postpartum.
Mom to Twin Boys (Anonymous)
I’m so glad to have found this site. I have five month old beautiful twin boys. I had a very hard time with the pregnancy, and developed HELPP syndrome and delivered at 34 weeks, with a weight gain of 85 lbs! After suffering from post partum depression for the first three months, I finally sought the help I needed. I can’t tell you how much my life has changed. I feel under so much pressure from those around me to be back in my pre pregnancy clothes, but I’m still carrying 35 lbs.I am exercising and trying to eat right, which is really a part of who I was before pregnancy. It gives me great inspiration to hear others stories and struggles instead of focusing on the weight and stretch marks ect. Thanks!
7 Months Postpartum (Anonymous)
I was very unhappy with my body before and rather depressed about it, i never thought i’d look any better and i didn’t like taking showers because i had to see myself naked. Now i am ok with my body i am eating right and working at getting closer to my old body though i know it will never be the same, i gained 44lbs while i was pregnant and have lost 31lbs now at 151lbs, i may never have my flat tummy back but if its stayed the way it is today i wouldn’t have a problem with that my little girl is worth all the mommy marks life could have thrown at me. Pics are pre pregnancy, 5 1/2 weeks PP, and me today.
