Pregnancy is not all glamour and perfect glowing skin. I know many expectant mothers are under the illusion that pregnancy brings so many wonderful experiences and benefits. I’ll admit it does bring with it some of the most amazing experiences a woman could ever imagine however it doesn’t always come with no strings attached. I’ve personally learnt that sometimes you do really have to take the good with the bad and learn to accept the changes that have occurred; things that may never be the same again.
A friend of mine was expecting nothing but radiant glowing skin, a perfectly round belly and complete and utter joy. This was not the case for her and I’m sure many other women out there are expecting one thing but end up experiencing something completely different. Mood swings, the amount of changes to her body, lack of sex drive and being uncomfortable are not things she expected and because she had this expectation of the perfect pregnancy her journey has not been as joyous it could have been. I am a little nervous about publishing this post as I share images of my body that have taken me an extremely long time to come to terms with and accept that is what I’ve been dealt. 6 years to be exact!
My body has gone through a transformation that could be described (and has been by me in the past) as nothing short of complete and utter destruction. I was blessed with beyond ridiculous stretchmarks and a flap of excess skin on my lower belly due to the size of my beloved children and their C-sections.
This current pregnancy the damage has been increased and has presented itself in the form of varicose and spider veins. They are not only unattractive but they can be extremely painful and spread like fuel to fire. They started near my knee and have spread up my thigh and down to my ankle, on the bright side at least they have only taken over one leg. Apparently they get worse with each pregnancy so I think it is safe to say this will be my last baby.
*26 years old and I have legs like this!*
It isn’t all bad though; I have experienced the radiant glow of an expectant mother, the ability to feel my baby grow and be nurtured inside me, the perfectly round (as huge as it may be) pregnant belly and of course the joy that motherhood brings. I’m not saying it has all been sunshine and rainbows but I have learnt to appreciate what I have. I can say I am more comfortable with my body now that I have acknowledged and accepted that it has done an incredible job creating and protecting my children.
I would like to let every woman out there who is suffering from poor pregnancy body image (before and after) that even though your body may no longer be perfect to you, it doesn’t mean it isn’t amazing. I have shared my images to let you all know that you are not alone and there is no reason to be ashamed, embarrassed, disgusted or disappointed in your body. It is strong, incredible and deserves credit for the hard work it has done – without it you wouldn’t have the little people who now or soon will call you mum.
TOTALLY WORTH IT!
Beautifully written and I totally agree and relate! I just had my second bub 12 weeks ago and the extra weight and huge stretch marks are my battle wounds but when you look at the child you produced it is all worth it! Thanks for sharing Kell.
Thanks for your kind words Bec! I’m glad this post is serving it’s purpose and other women can relate. xx
I guess like everything in life you take the good with the bad. Like you said, it’s worth it.
Yeah it’s just amazing how long it can take sometimes to work this simple fact of life out. Thanks for stopping by Mandy. xx
I totally agree with you – I felt like my body never really belonged to me after K was born but that is OK. I think pregnant women have such a great aura around them – no matter what, they are beautiful !
Good luck for the next few weeks !
Me
#IBOT visitor
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving your kind and reaffirming words. I really appreciate it 🙂
I was amazed at the way my body changed through my two pregnancies.. And the weight gain and loss.. my pre-baby body is long gone.. hips are wider, tummy is saggier and boobs look like nanna’s! 🙂
But you do produce the most beautiful babies in the world.. so its worth it!!
xx
It ‘s crazy how something so small can make such huge and life long changes to someones body! It’s lucky they are cute. hahaha.
Thansk for stopping by Yvette. xx
With a Mum and MIL with 10 kids between them I was under no illusion of the very un-glamourous world of pregnancy. I pretty much feel crap about the way i look the whole time, so For me the trick to feeling better is to invest in some decent clothes that make me feel good and not look like a total whale!
#teamIBOT was here!
Pregnant women are beautiful and I’m sure you are no exception Kylie! Nice maternity clothes can definitely make a world of difference to how you feel though 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by. xx
Good on you. Having babies can shake the self confidence of many women. There is no need to be ashamed of the such sweet scars that are reminders of the new precious life that was produced from them.
Thanks so much for your encouragement Caitlin. It means a lot 🙂 It took me a long time to appreciate the work my body has done and accept the battle scars I have been left with.
Oh my goodness that is one of the roundest tummies I have seen. Oh so beautiful as well. Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses to you lovely, this was a beautifully written post.
hahaha thanks Rhianna! Yes I seem to always get the huge round belly (this time it’s small compared to the last 2 pregnancies). Thank you so much for your support and encouragement!
Pregnancy is beautiful regardless. I had ankles like tree trunks and feet like puffer fish from four months onwards but there is nothing more totally amazing than feeling that precious baby grow inside you is there?
You look lovely with your bump 🙂
Yes the swelling and puffing up isn’t the prettiest side effect either but at least they go away! hahaha. I agree that there is nothing more amazing than feeling your baby grow inside you. Thanks so much for your kind comment.
Wow that is a very round belly! It isn’t all that glamourous, and I still struggle thinking o f my last pregnancy, but you do look beautiful in the way that only a pregnant woman can.
hahaha yeah it is Jess. You should have seen how round it was with my boys, this time it’s small compared to then! Thanks so much for stopping by and for hosting #ibot of course 🙂
Oh I thought the c section flap would go but 8 years on and it’s getting bigger. Your post brings back some of the pain, of my stomach muscles feeling like they were going to tear. I hope the delivery goes smoothly for you, and yes, it’s all worthy it. I wrote a post sometime ago about the song,ones of our body, for me pregnancy has been one of the finales 🙂
Thanks so much for stopping by Kim! I will have to pop over tonight and have a look for that post of yours 🙂 xx
I loved my pregnant body. I think around the 30 week mark, I was really loving the kicks I was feeling and the movement inside.
I would wear bikinis, completely showing off my huge bump and didn’t care at all!
Good on you for sharing your images to remind others how much they have to be proud of
Yes I also love my pregnant body. I’m always much more confident and enjoy those 9 months more than anything. The baby moving and kicking is amazing isn’t it? Thank you for your encouragement Grace 🙂
You look perfect – just like you need to be to carry that baby. I have been hiding my stomach since I was 18 and had my first baby. The stretch marks still haunt me. But I have learnt to live with them and they show I had beautiful babies!
Thanks so much Annaleis! It is something that you have to see the positives to or it will constantly get you down I think. Thanks for stopping by. xx
Gorgeous pics…. you look totally beautiful! Enjoy every moment of your third pregnancy! Monique xxx
Thanks so much Monique! Not much left to enjoy now 🙁 There is only 26 days until my C-section. This pregnancy has gone too fast!!