Submissions

I’m going to be real: with myself (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Submissions 7 Comments

I’m not going to say anything along the lines of “I know my body is beautiful”, because, simply, I dont. I still cry often even though I have been given the most beautiful little boy, and even though we’ve been sharing our lives for 4 months now. Every time I look in the mirror, my face wrinkles in disgust and my mind explodes with a million thoughts of dread and hate for what I’ve become – not spiritually(a mother) but physically. Some days are easier to realise that I am beautiful. I pray that I will find the strength that of of you beautiful souls shine so brightly.


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4 weeks pp – angry at my body (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Breasts, Complications in Pregnancy, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Update 16 Comments

Four weeks ago I delivered my son prematurely by c-section. The fear, stress, and worry were undescribable. Jack was born at 35 weeks weighing only 3lbs. He spent 17 days in the NICU and had surgery to repair bilateral inguinal hernias, then came home with us. I am furious with my body for causing problems during my pregnancy that resulted in a premature baby. It was my job to grow my baby safely and help him to be big and strong — and my body failed at that. So far our son isn’t showing any problems, but if he does in the future, I know who I’ll hold responsible. I gained 30lbs during my pregnancy, and probably would have gained more if Jack had gone to term. In four weeks I have lost 25 of my 30lbs, and am back into my regular clothes. I’m not exactly thrilled about it – I have some serious muffin top, and I’m sure my hips have gotten wider. My ribcage looks much smaller than it was before I was pregnant. The skin on my belly looks like cement and when I run I can feel it jiggle. I’ve got a ‘seam’ of skin, that’s folded along my abdomen from hip to hip. I’m happy to have lost 25lbs, but know that I have at least that much more to lose before I can stop obsessively staring at my belly in the mirror and weighing myself. If my body had helped my son to be a healthy full term baby maybe I could forgive it for looking so abused after bearing a child… but with all my body’s shortcomings on the inside, its ugly outside is just another drop in the bucket.






Updated here and here.

(Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Submissions 4 Comments

The First picture is 2 months after i had my 1st daughter Abbigail the 2nd pictue is me pregnant with Merideth the rest are 2 weeks after i had my 2nd Merideth i wish i was in better shape but i have no problem working the weight off. i am 120lbs now and my goal weight is 105-110 its only been 2 weeks so i have time.










4 days pp (May)

Bonnie (SOAM) Before Pregnancy, Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pregnant, Submissions, Update 9 Comments

I was 19 when I found out I was pregnant and turned 20 before I had him. I am engaged to the most amazing person I’ve ever known, and although the pregnancy was unplanned he was thrilled with the news; because after five years of trying to win my heart, he not only finally had me, but was about to start a family with who he calls the girl of his dreams. I cannot say that I was as thrilled at first – I was devestated. But that all quickly changed and although my pregnancy was less than wonderful, when times were hard I just had to hold my belly in my hands and feel my baby boy roll around and kick and punch and squirm – all of which he did 24/7 and it was the main (and sometimes only) joy I got out of being pregnant. I didn’t want to be induced and my doctor insisted, but after a week past my due date I reluctantly agreed, me and Anthony prayed for weeks about the possibility of an induction, so I was in ways prepared. It went surprisingly well, and I very comfortably and calmly gave birth to my BEAUTIFUL 7 lb. 7 oz. baby boy, 21 inches tall and looks just like his dad. I was able to go home 24 hours after he was born, no complications with him or me. He is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me, next in line with his father coming into my life. I just had him 4 days ago and despite friends with babies saying coming home from the hospital would be hell on earth, I have found it beautifully easy, mainly because I have a good attitude about it I suppose. I am breastfeeding him and my milk came in well, he is a wonderful baby and gives me no trouble [yet] :) I have very little pain and can move around great, I can even exercise although I guess I probably shouldn’t. I’m 5’9″ and I was 130lbs in a size 2. when I got pregnant with him, ballooned up to 169lbs and a size 7 in regular jeans (i never did buy maternity jeans as none that I found were anywhere near long enough!) by the day before the induction. I ate so well, very healthy as I did before I got pregnant and actually alot less than people would have probably advised but I just wasn’t that hungry during pregnancy, I exercised every single day walking and pilates but I still gained the weight. I was really worried and still am about what I will look like. But my mom snapped back down to a size 2 even after me and my twin brothers so maybe I’ll be fine. I got some stretch marks on my left hip and on the inside of my left thigh despite my efforts against them, but the little ones on my stomach didn’t appear til after I gave birth. I’m now 4 days postpartum and I’ve lost only 13 lbs. and that really disappoints me. These pics are of me about a month before I got pregnant, me at 9 months pregnant, me today and then my beautiful little boy, Cecil.


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Updated here.

My Little Story (Julie)

Bonnie (SOAM) Submissions 11 Comments

Hello, my Name is Julie, I am 30 years old and single parent from Mailin Anouk (*10.12.02, 50cm and 3380 g.) and Eleni June (*11.05.04, 55cm and 4260 g.).

I live in Hamburg/Germany and I will show you some pictures from my pregnancys with Mailin and Eleni.

There where both cesarians! (Mailin was in breech presentations and Eleni was toooooo big)

The first pictures shows the pregnancy with Mailin

After that, you can see the pregnancy with my second daughter Eleni

Than you can see my belly right now. I hate my bellybutton, but so what – I have my daughters!!!

At least, I show you my daughters right now :o)

Sorry, my english is very poor :o(

All the best,

Julie with Mailin Anouk and Eleni June


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4 children and a lifetime later (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Submissions 1 Comment

My body was pretty fit B4 I had my children. I didn’t think a whole lot about what I ate and I got an average amount of exercise just doing daily activities and going for walks. After I had my 4 children (born: May ’98, Nov.’00, Aug.’02 and Jan.’04) my body and life changed forever. As my stomach grew so did my heart. I love my children beyond words and dislike my stomach very much! I am proud to be a mother of 4 happy, healthy and energetic children. I have been blessed! Now if only my tummy thought I was still a teenager…




This Body (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Submissions 6 Comments

First off, I will start by saying, that I have always had body image issues. I was never what you would call ‘fat’ I just had a little extra pudge. I was always very self-conscious about my body. When i met my hubby, i was a size 8. I thought that was heavy. Now, almost 7 years later, and 2 babies (one in heaven) later, I am a size 14. I hate it. I am stuck with stretch marks, saggy boobs, and extra fat. My son is 2 1/2 and I can’t get rid of the extra weight that I gained with him. I gained 35-40 pounds when i was pregnant, and only lost about 15. To top it off, I got on the BC shot and gained it back!! I came to this site to hopefully feel better about this body that i have. I also just want to add, that you ladies are very brave, and gorgeous! These pics are of me 2 1/2 years after my son was born.




So worth it (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Submissions 9 Comments

I’m a 25yr old mummy of two amazing children. Before I became pregnant I lived in bikinis and tube tops, showing off my flat, toned tummy at any opportunity. But at 22 when my son was born by emergency c-section weighing 9lbs 3ozs, I quickly realised those days were well and truly over. My tummy was riddled with stretchmarks and loose skin but all that mattered to me was that my little boy was alive after a very traumatic delivery. My son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 5wks old and the heartbreak of watching him fight through sezuires and many many hospital admissions made me drop all 60lbs of my pregnancy weight within a matter of weeks. I was still pumping and breasfeeding as much as I could so that he could still have mummy’s milk on those long and sad days on the hospital ward. I didn’t think much of my body during his first year of life – all that mattered was him. A few weeks after our son’s 1st birthday I discovered I was pregnant again. This time with my daughter, I gained far less weight and she was born by VBAC weighing 7lbs 7ozs. She has just turned one and I have started to feel self-conscious about my body for the first time. After breastfeeding two babies my breasts have lost most of their substance but I am just so proud to have been able to breastfeed them that my breast shape doesn’t bother me too much at all. What I’ve really been struggling with is my new tummy. My husband still thinks I am beautiful and loves my whole body, but I can’t help but feel envious of friends I know who have more kids than me and have no stretchmarks or loose skin whatsoever! But at the end of it all, it was so worth it. My children give me so much joy and enrich my life more than I ever could have dreamed. I love them and I love the body that carried and gave life to them. I know my new body will take some getting used to but I think by posting here I may have just taken the first step on a journey to acceptance. I’m so glad I’m not alone.