Me after two pregnancies and two c-sections (Anonymous)

I am 26 years old. I have two beautiful daughers ages 7 and 2 years. With my first daughter I was 98 lbs for my first doctor visit at 8 weeks pregnant! I gained about 63 lbs!! I lost the weight pretty quickly and was back down to about 100 lbs.(I am 5ft 5in). Then I got up to 120 and I was happy with that weight.I got pregnant with my second baby and gained about 28 lbs. After two weeks I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and into my jeans! I now weigh 116 lbs, but its not the weight that bothers me its the loose skin on my belly. I can even live with the stretch marks on my hips and thighs, but everytime I look at my stomach, I want to cry. I know its not that bad but when you see celebs back into their bikinis after the kids are born, with not one sign of pregnancy, it makes you feel bad. I know I shouldn’t compare myself to them or anyone else, but I can’t help it. Somedays I feel good about how i look and others, not so much. I love this website, because the women here are all beautiful and brave. Before I found this site I actually believed that I was the only women who looked like this. Because everyone around me looked great after having their children. But now I know that everyone is different and this is how I look and I better get used to it. I know I could have plastic surgery, but I don’t want to put myself at risk. To me the risk is too great. I know some women don’t agree, and that’s their prerogative. Here is a picture of me two years pp.



3rd pregnancy of a plus-sized 20-something (Anonymous)

I’ve never been very skinny. The only point I can remember being so was when I was 13 and 5’6″ and maybe 90-100lbs. After that I plumed big time. At the age of 15 almost 16 I started having really bad pains that made it hard to walk, it was found that I had ovarian cysts, a month later I stopped having a menstrual cycle. When I turned 16 I was put on birth control pills to regulate my cycles and help with the cysts. In that time frame, age 15-16, I packed on around 30-40lbs and was around 170 at 5’7″. Not horribly overweight but still higher.

I was on birth control pills from 16 to just after 18 when my last pack ran out(June 2005). My OB/Gyn said that I may not be able to get pregnant, so part of me though why do I need pills then. In July 2005 I had a cyst burst, while at work, I crawled under my desk and cried till my boyfriend and boss found me and my boyfriend took me to my mom’s house, and she took me to the doctors. A month after that I found out I was pregnant. Just by chance too. I had a friend that we knew was pregnant, she had to be she was more then 2weeks late, but she refused to take a test unless some one did with her. Her older sister had never been with anyone and I was the only one around, so I bought her a 2 pack, I went first, looked and threw it out all with in seconds, she peed and handed it to me not wanting to look. Hers instantly was positive. I went back somewhere between 5-10minutes later and got mine out of the trash, to my shock it was positive.

Over the next few days I took 2 more tests each positive. Then August 12th, 2005 I started bleeding. I went to the ER but there was nothing that could be done, we’d lost the baby all within a week of finding out. It was hard, I was only 18, living in the not best conditions with my Fiance(no house), but in away I think it was a slight blessing even though I still cry about it to this day. My cycle never came back after that. My OB gave me a shot of progesterone in October and it started a small cycle, light bleeding for 2 days, nothing then spotting the day after, I’d never had light periods in my life so it was odd. My Fiance and I had an appointment set in November to get the depo shot, but I had to have a cycle first. Instead of going to get the depo shot, it turned into my first prenatal visit of sorts. I found out in early November 2005 that I was pregnant again. Sadly we were planning a move to Texas where my then fiance’s family lives so I didnt’ get a real prenatal appointment.

The move to Texas didn’t last, we were there from Mid December to early February. I was horridly sick, severe HG morning sickness, I couldn’t even keep water down and was in the ER a few times in Texas. I also missed my mom too much. So we moved back to Idaho in February. And I got my first real parental appointment at around 18 weeks. It was such a relief to be able to go to the doctors if needed. We found out just 10days before my 19th birthday that we were having a boy(March 2006) to the joy of both of us. I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes in late April 2006, which is partly why I had been so sick before. My blood pressure started going up too in late May early June, and became Pregnancy Induced Hypertension, and was being watched for pre-e.

My son, Seamus was born on July 18th, 2006. I was induced at 39weeks 5days because of the GD and PIH and he was born just barley at 39weeks 6days (10:12pm). He had a little stay in the incubator for jaundice and we got to come home on July 21st.

In September 2006 I had Mirena IUD placed. It was ok except for it caused me to gain 25lbs in a month. The weight gain made me mad sense I was already way past my prepregnancy weight and thought I’d actually get under 200lbs. I struggled with my weight over the next 2yrs. From November 2007 to May 2008 I lost 20lbs of that weight (I went from 200lbs pre IUD to 225 after, then to 250 a few months later) but it wasn’t much. In May 2008 I had my IUD removed in hopes it would help me to loose more weight. I had bleeding (not really a cycle) from May 17th to the 20th and slight spotting on the 21st. That was the last time I had real bleeding. I had some spotting in early July but it wasn’t any more then what could lightly be seen on toilet paper. I was getting frustrated in late July early August sense it had been almost 90days sense I had any type of bleeding. I went to the clinic they ran tests for thyroid problems which came back normal, and the doc just said it was PCOS a term I’ve herd many times in regards to me. They did a pregnancy test on August 1st just to be sure. Then told me it was negative and that I’d need medical help to get pregnant again, much like the progesterone with my son. They gave me a script for it and my husband and I decided we’d fill it but not use it till December.

One thing had been on my mind though the whole time. How sore my breasts were. I had a digital test lying around from when my IUD was taken out and I decided sense we were going to be trying any time soon that I’d use the test to get it out of the house. I peed and put the lid on it and set it down. I picked it up a couple seconds later expecting to see “Not Pregnant”…..thats not what it said…it said “Pregnant” I freaked, my 2yr old son was in there with me and was confused why mommy was being weird. My husband was still asleep and I took the test to him and shoved it in his face and woke him up, he laughed! I didn’t believe it so I made him buy me another test, took it and it was also positive right away(line test this time) it was a shocker (all this August 17th, 2008). I went to the doctors 2 weeks later sense we didnt’ know how far along I was and found out I was 6weeks 2days, and due April 19th, 2009.

So far things are going ok this time around, I haven’t been puking near as bad as with my son, and actually its getting better at this point, 12weeks 4days. I’m having to have my Gestational Diabetes testing done between 17-18weeks this time sense I was on insulin with my son, and they are watching me closely for pre-e this time. So far so good.

I really wanted to show some pictures of me, the not skinny plus sized, 21yr old mommy thats pregnant, and really you can’t tell because of my gut. I want ladies to see that not everyone is small :)







When he smiles (Anonymous)

I want to lie and say that I am comfortable with my body.
I want to say that I don’t give it a second thought.
The truth though…
The truth is that I think about it often.

I can be honest and say I think about it less now than I ever have.
This website helps.
Trying to maintain a healthy outlook helps.
Knowing, now that I have a son who has rocked my world, that love for a child…your own child…kicks all other types of love in the ass.

The emotion I feel when I look at my son conquers all.
If you are a mother, you know that.

You know that you would jump in front of ten speeding locomotives for your child.
You know that you would sacrifice all for your child.
You know that watching every first, step, bite and word is better than…well…is better than anything for which we have words.

I know that I am “lucky”.
I didn’t get stretch-marks (well, not many)
My body handled pregnancy well.
I carried small.

But, in reading what I have written, that “luck” seems trite and selfish and trivial.
It.
Does.
Not.
Matter.

What matters is growth and adaptation and health and happiness and love and memories.

Juicy watermelon running down my son’s chin.
Laughter as he splashes through a puddle.
His assuredness as he navigates his first steps.
That sweet smell of his milky breath first thing in the morning.

When he smiles.
When he smiles.
When he smiles.

I want to lie and say that I am comfortable with my body.
I want to say that I don’t give it a second thought.
The truth though…
The truth is that I think about it often.






Updated here.

12 weeks pp with first baby (Anonymous)

i am 19 years old i found out i was pregnant what i was 18 it was scary at first but i got used to the idea even was fine that i had left her father and would be a single mother, and now here i was have a beautiful 12 weeks old baby girl who i wouldn’t trade for the world… but i wish i could be happier with how my body is now i do miss my old body a lot and i wasn’t all that happy with it when i had it but now that i’m 30lbs heavier and 3 sizes bigger i realize how much skinnier i was i don’t think i thought about how much having a child changes your body until i had one of my own… i’m very glad that i have found this website it makes me feel much better knowing that there are women who feel the same or have gotten back to the body they had before i sure hope someday i will but for now i’m not to worried about it i have my little girl here and that’s all that matters.. my pictures are working backwards from now to before i got pregnant.









I need this site (Anonymous)

I have 3 beautiful children whom I love more than anything. I nursed each of them for a year each. However, I have been left with a body I am so embarrassed of. My husband does not get to see my “banana” breasts, my skin on my stomach sags despite being only 15% body fat. I have become so body obsessed, that it invades my nearly every waking thought. I see magazine pictures of postpartum celebrities and I yearn to look like that again. I have beat my self up every day, since I have not been able to achieve that goal. this is the first site I have felt empowered and part of a sisterhood I should be proud of, not embarrassed by. I don’t have a picture, but I want to thank all of you fabulous women for making me realize I am perfect just like I am! Just exactly like each of you are perfect just the way you are too!

12 Months Postpartum (Anonymous)

Well, my daughter is going to be a year next week, so this feels like a good time to celebrate what an amazing year of changes it has been. It’s been the most profound year of my life, and I wouldn’t change any of it for the world. Having said that, it hasn’t been an easy year. I suffered from ppd quite badly in the first four months until I dealt with it through counseling and medication. I’m doing so well now, and though I struggle a lot with post-partum body image (and it’s funny to think I had issues before now too…) I’m feeling quite good now and in control. Seeing these pictures of myself, and not concentrating on any numbers, I see that I look alright and I should be proud of myself and love my “new” body. I’m far from losing the “baby” weight, but I hope that I’m on my way.





Updated here and here.

29 years old, 10 1/2 months post partum after first child (Anonymous)

I had a really hard time accepting my body after pregnancy, and still am having a tough time. I look at this site as often as I can and it makes me feel better that I’m not alone and that most people who have children don’t just bounce back immediately. This website gives me a great sense of comfort and community.

I was 163 lbs right before giving birth. And now I weigh 144 at 5’4″ tall. I am still trying to lose at least 10 more lbs but the weight is not coming off easily. I exercise at least three times a week, and I’m eating healthier than ever before. I got a moderate amount of stretch marks during pregnancy (and puberty!) despite using revitol, coco butter, petroleum jelly, vitamin E, and aloe religiously in the last few months of pregancy and mustela for a few months after. I have them on my sides and below my belly (and on my hips, thighs, and butt from puberty). They have now mostly faded.

The pictures I have included are of me sitting down. I still have a pooch, but I guess I always will. I want more children, but I’m scared of what I’ll look like after that. That fear won’t prevent me from having more children, though, because the joy of having a child far outweighs the scars I will bear from having them. But I’m afraid nonetheless. I guess I will just have to grin, exercise, eat well, and bear it!

My daughter is the love of my life. This has been the best and most fulfilling year of my life. I see older women fuss over my child, and I know they are remembering when their children were babies. I see the nostalgia in their eyes. It’s as if they are remembering the first time they fell in love. I am in love with my baby girl. I try to treasure each moment I have with her because who knows what tomorrow will bring.

As much as I struggle with my body, I cannot wait to have another child. I know I will keep struggling, but I know must of us will agree that it’s completely worth it.




Learning to love… (Anonymous)

Learning to love my stretchmarks!

Week 39 begins tomorrow, and there aren’t words to express how excited I am to meet my little one. This is our first baby, and we feel so blessed.

I made it to week 36 without a single stretch mark, and I will never forget a friend of mine telling me right around that time how great my belly looked and how lucky I was to be stretch mark free.

Well the very next week they started to show up to one side of my belly button, and over the last few weeks it seems that they have gotten darker, longer and wider every day. I’m amazed at how fast my skin has changed. I’ve had a few stretch marks on my breasts and on my sides for years, and they don’t bother me at all. But to have them covering my entire belly is going to take some adjustment. Maybe I just assumed that since my mom and my sister didn’t get any during pregnancy, I wouldn’t either. I’ll admit it, I’m disappointed.

But I love being pregnant. I love my big, round, beautiful belly and I have been so proud to show it off. If this is the biggest sacrifice I need to make, so be it. Time will pass and I’ll get used to my new body. I’ll learn to love it again, or so I hope. And I’ll be so in love with my son or daughter that nothing else will really matter.






New mommy worried about her new body (Anonymous)

I’m a new Mommy, I gave birth by cesarean section a little over a week ago and up until now my biggest worry was if my stretch marks would fade but now I’m noticing that my skin is VERY saggy. I am only 20 years old and my tummy looks just as awful as my mom’s after two babies. Is there any chance the skin will bounce back and not sag?



Updated here.

All you can be happy with your bellies! (iraiosc)

6 months ago i had a baby 4’360kg… cessarean of course… before he arrive i have a normal and thin body… with nice skin… the pregnancy was great, all people said that i have a nice and rounded belly… then tima passed and my son don’t wanted get out… he grow and grow… till arrive 42 weeks… Now i have diastasis, hernia, wrinkles, not a big belly… but a frankenstein belly… So, all you can be happy with your bodies after seeing my pics ;) :”(








Updated here and here.