Update

10 Weeks Postpartum (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Back, Butt, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pregnant, Submissions, Update 11 Comments

I posted here at 8 weeks postpardum and added post baby pics, but the only pic that was added was my pregnant one.So heres my post baby body after gaining 65 lbs, and losing 20….Still at 195 and now 11 weeks postpardum. My goal is to get down to 150, my pre-pregnancy weight. This new body has been hard for me to except but I Love it for giving me the love of my life, My gorgeous daughter Faith. Thank you ladies for all your beautiful stories and pics, So wonderful to know Im not alone in this new body.










3 Years, 3 Surgeries, and 3 Kids Later (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Complications in Pregnancy, Postpartum, Second Pregnancy, Submissions, Surgical Scar (Non-Cesarean), Toxemia, Twins, Update 8 Comments

When I met my husband I was a 117lb senior in highschool. We got married December after we graduated (I was 18). 4 months into our marriage I found out I was pregnant. My first pregnancy was text book until I hit 37 weeks and Toxemia set in and I ballooned. I was 135lbs when i got pregnant and when I gave birth I weighed 187lbs. Fast forward and I decided to get the Mirena for birthcontrol. Well 2 months into it the IUD perforated my uterus. So we had to have a laproscopic surgery to have it removed. I had lost the weight (down to 140) and then went back up 186 (after antidepressants). When my gorgeous daughter was 9 months old I found out I was pregnant again! On Christmas eve (I was 20 weeks pregnant) I found out I was pregnant with identical twin boys. We were excited and nervous. I had a good pregnancy for twins, I started having contractions at 30 weeks and finally gave birth to my boys (5lbs 2 oz and 5lbs 10 oz). I went in weighing 199 lbs. Then came surgery number 2. I had a tubal ligation before I left the hospital. When the boys were about 6 months old I found out I had a gastral hernia (it was inbetween my belly button and my rib cage). So there was ANOTHER surgery. There has been a lot of stresses (Lost jobs, moving, money, etc…) And I currently weigh 188 (Just lost 4 lbs) I hate being an almost plus size and hate my body. My stretchmarks and scars and the bulges. My husband is so supportive of me, but I used to be the perfect body and now, I hate my body. I look in the mirror and all I see is fat. I am currently working on walking everynight and not eating so badly. But it is so HARD. This website has made me feel better. And those twin post pregnancy pictures I see my body and know im not the only one. I just see these moms that have just had kids and are into prepregnancy jeans and have like 1 stretchmark, and I feel like ive failed. But I have my 3 beautiful kids and a wonderful husband and for now that enough! Maybe a swimsuit body after some hard work?



Updated here.

Trying to Accept My Body Really Hard (Roxy)

Bonnie (SOAM) Before Pregnancy, Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pregnant, Submissions, Update 7 Comments

will i ever look better??? thats all I keep asking myself im 21yrs old and i had my first baby girl on Nov 16 2008. I got married at 18 and we decide to try having a baby in 08 and in March I finally saw the two pink lines we were soooo exited I thought I was dreaming. So my pregnancy was great I didn’t gain any weight i was in my ideal 125 until my 8th month dam that month i started gaining 2 to 3lbs a week thats when I got my stretch marks as they appear I got more depressed my eating habits where the same, it was so sad seeing my body getting all these red lines that where so itchy. I had my baby girl two weeks early she was perfectly healthy thanks GOD, she weight 6 pounds and 13oz and measure 19inches. In my 38 weeks i weight 164 my entire body has stretch marks hips, breast, belly, legs. I also had back damage because my belly was so heavy and my breast have grown so huge its horrible. But now im just trying to loose all that weigh because my body I feel that is huge including my face, I want to do exercises but for some reason I just wont do them I feel like I don’t have self esteem. I cry every time I look at my naked body because I feel like its my fault I should take better care of my self and I feel too depressed because im so lonely, I have my husband and my baby but I have no friends and all my family member are in other country.
Im posting a pic of me 1month before my pregnancy, at my 7months, 38 weeks,1month pp and my daughter.



Updated here.

PS – Postpartum 21 & 25 Years Later (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) 5+ Years Postpartum, Belly, Breasts, Mom over 30, Postpartum, Second Pregnancy, Submissions, Update 11 Comments

Previous entry here.

The wonderful comments from all the young mums have really boosted me. I felt good about my body after my babies were born. But hit my later years and now I hate what I see nude in the mirror. I don’t have stretch marks, nor cellulite, so I am lucky, but all those with stretchmarks – they will fade in time – it is early days yet. Just enjoy your babies and also ensure you have a little time for you to be you. Also give yourself time to be not just a mum, but a whole and sexy woman who is her own person. Sometimes you can do little to change your body but keep fit and healthy and make the most of yourself. Thank you to everyone who has commented positively about my body – it has meant a lot to me.





Updated here.

Update 14 Months PP (Tamara)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Tattoo, Update 16 Comments

Ok, so i am posted on here way back in august i believe under 19 and insecure (tamara) anyhow..after the new year i finally said my resolution would be to get on a healthy diet and fitness program…my problem was mainly a lot of loose skin on my tummy….as for stretch marks well they cover everything except my face and feet pretty much so iv just learned to accept them…they fade more and more as time goes on…Anyhow i started doing pilates 5x a week, 40 minute sessions and i have to say after only 3 weeks i see a difference!! and i know after i start running ill see even more of a difference! so loose skin is “fixable” without all the surgery involved u just have to work at it….also want to say i admire every single woman on here…i check this site everyday cz i know theres more and more women than i think that also come out of pregnancy with battle scars and its ok…its all apart of being a mommy!!! you all are such an inspiration!! the first pic is of me now..the second is my son…and the last two are my stomach now….






Updated here.

Happy With My Body (Autumn)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Butt, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Submissions, Update 20 Comments

I’ve posted here twice before, first post is here. It’s been 3 years and some months since I had my son, I’m below my pre-pregnancy weight. I’m somewhere between 155-160 lbs, I ended my pregnancy at 241 lbs. After he was born, I definitely had issues with my body, that over the years have diminished greatly. I still have self-conscious moments, but for the most part, I’m happy with my body. These pictures were taken today.






Updated here and here.

Where is the time machine? (Anonymous)

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

I’m 26-years-old. My son was born about two weeks before my 25th birthday. My pregnancy was not planned and I spent the entire pregnancy trying to come to grips with being a mother (which I haven’t quite done yet).

My birth was a 43-hour-long, unmedicated journey aided by my mother and husband and a hospital midwife. Afterward I hemorraged and nearly died. From there on, my physical condition was continually miserable for at least three months straight (back went out and I was unable to walk–had to crawl around my house, taking care of my son by myself while my husband was at work at least 12 hours a day–living overseas in a city where I do not speak the local language and have no transportation other than public transport to depend on). I also had horrible post-partum depression. Breastfeeding was miserable and brought pain, itching and infection which no western or holistic treatments seemed to cure (and I tried EVERYTHING!)–I just endured it for five months until my son refused to breastfeed anymore. This is basically the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my experience with pregnancy, childbirth and the aftermath.

So, when I look at the stretch marks on my body and all the extra weight I have tried and tried to lose and seem to be unable to, it isn’t sweet memories I’m thinking of.

Others have told me to just focus on my son and how great everything is to be a mother (which is kind of a fairytale notion too in my opinion–as for me motherhood is hard work, lots of sacrifice and a tiny bit of reward thrown in). They dismiss my sadness and hatred of my body as pure vanity. I disagree. I don’t show in the photo here, but my breasts went from a B cup to a DD and now are a D cup. Some ladies might wish for this–I can’t stand them! I never wanted large breasts. My husband doesn’t even like large breasts–he thinks they are weird and scary. They droop and drag and have just as many stretch marks on them as my belly does–my nipples point south–like the funny cartoon of the old lady who has to lift her skirt to flash you her breasts. I never am without a bra–I now sleep in one and wear one 24-hours/day just because it is uncomfortable to wake up with my boob under my ear or somewhere it wasn’t meant to go.

Anyway, so I wonder where the time machine is that can take me back to pre-baby so I can have a “do over.” If you find it, please notify me immediately.




Updated here.

Working With What I’ve Got (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, Breasts, First Pregnancy, Positive Body Image/Words of Enouragement, Postpartum, Submissions, Update 24 Comments

okay, i’m a 3rd time participant here on SOAM. here is my last submission

i don’t know about you, but i am tired of hearing about how some moms don’t jiggle when they run down the street, “motivational” exercise tips & being told that i’m a failure if i don’t make time to work out every single day. i’m a typical mom, i make time when i can. so, i’m sending in a few “update” photos (not much has changed 2 years pp, except i’ve lost 5 pounds) along with my own tips for how i use what i have while i have it. first off, i’m still breastfeeding & my son shows absolutely no desire to stop anytime soon. believe it or not, breastfeeding does not just suck the pounds off of everyone. some of us retain the fat & that’s okay. it may come off after weaning, i have no idea. i’m taking vitex (chaste tree berry) capsules in an attempt to regulate my hormones. if i remember correctly, the prolactin produced by nursing is resulting in elevated estrogen levels, telling my body to store fat for the baby. vitex helps balance the prolactin & can help me (along with my sporadic exercising) to lose my weight gradually & healthily. (i just want to stop being such a hormonal bitch!) my best advice is to:
1. shop for your size! you are probably a few sizes larger than you were, so learn now what size you’re at. after being a small-to-medium petite my entire life, i now find myself barely slipping into a large (i’m now an XL by conventional standards). it depressed me for awhile, but now i’m dealing with it. also, your underwear is too small, so either size up, or forget them altogether, like me. i find that most underwear digs unattractively into my luscious curves, which looks tacky under clothes. going commando is a great solution & i’ve been doing it for years. :)
2. invest in bra inserts for lopsidedness. i went nearly 2 years feeling extremely aware of my different breast sizes before i finally purchased some inserts for the small breast. i cannot tell you how it has improved my confidence.
3. choose clothing that flatters your new womanly form. i like flowing, natural, cotton jersey that allows for movement & comfort. i wear mostly skirts & loose tops. i’m not a teenager anymore & tight, lowrise jeans do nothing good for my new shape!
4. find & accentuate your sweet spots. have a graceful neck or beautiful behind? use jewelry or accessories to bring your favorite bodily attributes to the forefront. instead of “oh, when are you due?” it’ll be, “dang, where’d you get that gorgeous necklace?!”

these are just a few of my own personal methods for improving my self-confidence that i want to share with other mamas who might want to try.
i’m slowly on my way to being stronger & perhaps smaller, but my size is becoming less important to me. i’m working with what i’ve got right now & it may change, but if it doesn’t, at least i’ll be prepared & no longer weighed down by my former concern with “getting my pre-pregnancy body back”. i’m a sexy, strong, capable, intelligent woman. i spend almost all of my time with my child & i love being a mother. i have other things going on besides being a mom, but i definitely took the first year to really focus on him & his needs. my body took a back seat to other priorities. i’m okay with my choices.
to those in the media & those affected by the media who think that we, on SOAM are somehow gross, scary or ugly, i say, “i’m not usually this size, i had a baby. what’s your excuse?”

mamas, let’s stay strong & focus on those role-models who are proud of their curves & remain positive & healthy instead of those who hit the gym a week after birth & make us feel like failures if we don’t all conform to the hollywood cookie-cutter standard. enjoy food, cuddle your baby, & just keep yourself healthy. you’re doing the hardest job on earth & every mother deserves to feel valued, appreciated & beautiful.









First Pregnancy 8 Weeks Postpartum (Anonymous)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Pregnant, Submissions, Update 3 Comments

I am 22 years old, and This pregnancy was unplanned and very unexpected. Me and my now husband were together for about 6 months, when I found out that I was pregnant even after using the morning after pill, when the condom broke. At the time I did not feel ready to become a mother, but to me it was a sign that my little one made it through TWO contraceptives. I had an amazing pregnancy and only threw up once. That being said, I had no morning sickness and no problems eating and thus gained about 40 lbs by my 5th month, at 9 months I gained a total of 63lbs. Before I found out I was pregnant, I had just lost about 28lbs going from my heaviest (178) and a size 16 down to 150 lbs and a size 4. Losing all that weight motivated me to want to help others feel the same achievement, and decided to become a personal trainer. I got my training license and started working at La fitness and was only training there for about 4 months when I found out I was pregnant. I continued to work for about two more months, but like I said, I gained most of my pregnancy weight early, and I felt uncomfortable training people who didn’t know I was pregnant, just saw me getting fatter as im trying to help them lose weight. Even though I didnt have any morning sickness I was very tired all the time, and didnt want to risk losing my baby by pushing myself to hard. I stopped working there and took it easy the next few months, my fiance and I got married on august 17th 2008 when I was 6 months pregnant ( we plan on having a large wedding ceremony later this year ). My daughter Faith was born on November 21st 2008 at 8lbs 8oz, and I instantly fell more in love than I ever imagined possible. She is absolutely PERFECT and I am so blessed to have such a beautiful family. The day I was induced I weighed 218 lbs, and left the hospital at 200 lbs. Now at 8 weeks postpardum I weigh 195 and I just recently started working out again after waiting the 6 weeks, and am hoping in time to end up in even better shape than I orignally was. Although I love my body for giving me my daughter, I feel very uncomfortable in it. I thought I was going to get lucky and not get any stretch marks , but in the last 2 months I got them ALL over my stomach and sides. I was feeling extremely insecure until I found this website and saw all of you gorgeous women and your beautiful post baby bodies. I want to thank you all for sharing your encourging stories and pics. I wish you all the best of luck with your little angels, and thank you again for making me realize that im not alone in accepting this post baby body.



Updated here.

Life Changes, Get Used to it! (Mary)

Bonnie (SOAM) Belly, First Pregnancy, Postpartum, Pregnant, Second Pregnancy, Submissions, Update 6 Comments

… I tell myself that everyday!
I met my husband while we were overseas in the Army in 2005, we were married in April 2006, and 9 months and 10 days later we had our daughter, she is amazing! We are going to be welcoming our son in March and cant wait! I love being a mom and wife but a part of me died when I realized how much my body had changed, not the weight difference…the stretch marks! I was 135lbs when I got married and 145lbs when I got pregnant(I stopped using birth control and that causes me to gain a few)when I went into labor with my daughter I was over 200lbs… I think 206lbs but Im not sure. I felt so stupid for not taking care of myself when I was pregnant, I ate junk all the time and refused to work out because I thought it would be ok (my mom had 3 girls, no stretch marks and never gaining too much weight with out putting any effort into staying fit). I got back down to 135lbs fast, about 8 weeks, but I will not take the credit, I have thyroid issues and that was before I started taking medication. So for the next year or so I spent thousands of dollars on scar and stretch mark creams, gels, patches, ANYTHING! I also had breast augmentation to help smooth out scars on my chest. I am being alot more careful with this pregnancy to avoid getting more stretch marks but at this point I think Im pretty well covered. I dont worry as much about my body because of this site, overall women get stretch marks, they get dimples, and wrinkles! It is a reality that I didnt take into consideration before finding this site and I am so relieved that I am not alone, my biggest concern is staying healthy so I can keep up with my growing family and always give my kids 110%. I still have bad days when I examine my tummy and legs, but I have a great husband that doesnt even see my stretch marks and I am so thankful!
Gathering these pictures has made me see how fast my body went back and how much my stretch marks have faded, I look at myself as lucky, it was a small price to pay for my angels! I will keep you posted on the arrival of #2 and more body changes!
My pictures are..
1st pregnancy- 3 months, 6 months, 9 months
After delivery- 10 days, 4 months
Stretch marks on belly- 1 year
2nd pregnancy- 8 months










Updated here and here.