Two months ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have this amazing creation in my life and I would not change it for the world.
If people asked me if there was anything I didn't like about pregnancy or motherhood, it wouldn't be the labour or the dirty nappies but it would most definitely be my tiger stripes.
I've read a lot of blog posts from mothers saying they love their tiger stripes and their post pregnancy body and I wish I felt the same but I can't lie. I hate it. I feel huge and no amounts of lotions and potions used throughout my pregnancy could stop these purple/red stretch marks across my stomach and hips. Now I've never particularly felt good about my body but I have always been a curvy size 10/12. 8 weeks on from pregnancy and I'm still wearing my maternity clothes and trying to hide all my bulges. In fact I've just ordered some size 16 clothes in hope they will hide my lumps and bumps.
My breasts are huge like giant pumpkins. I knew they'd grow when I breastfed but wowsers! This is crazy. My daughter will be going to nursery at 3 months old unfortunately as I will need to return to work so we will be switching to formula. I hope to still maintain some breastfeeds if my supply allows me. I'm also hoping my breast size may reduce slightly so that my work clothes may fit. If not, it is a small sacrifice to ensure that my child gets the best.
The tops of my arms are covered in tiny little spots that apparently show no signs of leaving so I'm in constant cover up mode. I also had lots of little skin tags grow all over (gross) like little moles everywhere. A couple have since fallen off but I still have a lot. The ones on my back sting when they get caught by the shower streams... nice. Plus when does the brown line down your tummy disappear??? Surely my pregnancy hormones have left my body now? I'm not even going to start talking about pelvic floor muscles and haemorrhoids..
What I am thankful for is the fact I have (this week) turned 38 years old and therefore I'm not under peer pressure to dress fashionably and due to a malignant melanoma in my past I won't be seeking sun in a bikini anytime in the future.
I hope to write a post in a couple of months that's a bit more accepting and excited about my post pregnancy body. I loved being pregnant and I'm so in love and in awe at my precious little bundle of joy so I have no regrets at all. I just was not prepared for my own low self esteem... but then again maybe it's just post pregnancy hormones playing their part and given time I'll love my body again.
If people asked me if there was anything I didn't like about pregnancy or motherhood, it wouldn't be the labour or the dirty nappies but it would most definitely be my tiger stripes.
I've read a lot of blog posts from mothers saying they love their tiger stripes and their post pregnancy body and I wish I felt the same but I can't lie. I hate it. I feel huge and no amounts of lotions and potions used throughout my pregnancy could stop these purple/red stretch marks across my stomach and hips. Now I've never particularly felt good about my body but I have always been a curvy size 10/12. 8 weeks on from pregnancy and I'm still wearing my maternity clothes and trying to hide all my bulges. In fact I've just ordered some size 16 clothes in hope they will hide my lumps and bumps.
My breasts are huge like giant pumpkins. I knew they'd grow when I breastfed but wowsers! This is crazy. My daughter will be going to nursery at 3 months old unfortunately as I will need to return to work so we will be switching to formula. I hope to still maintain some breastfeeds if my supply allows me. I'm also hoping my breast size may reduce slightly so that my work clothes may fit. If not, it is a small sacrifice to ensure that my child gets the best.
The tops of my arms are covered in tiny little spots that apparently show no signs of leaving so I'm in constant cover up mode. I also had lots of little skin tags grow all over (gross) like little moles everywhere. A couple have since fallen off but I still have a lot. The ones on my back sting when they get caught by the shower streams... nice. Plus when does the brown line down your tummy disappear??? Surely my pregnancy hormones have left my body now? I'm not even going to start talking about pelvic floor muscles and haemorrhoids..
What I am thankful for is the fact I have (this week) turned 38 years old and therefore I'm not under peer pressure to dress fashionably and due to a malignant melanoma in my past I won't be seeking sun in a bikini anytime in the future.
I hope to write a post in a couple of months that's a bit more accepting and excited about my post pregnancy body. I loved being pregnant and I'm so in love and in awe at my precious little bundle of joy so I have no regrets at all. I just was not prepared for my own low self esteem... but then again maybe it's just post pregnancy hormones playing their part and given time I'll love my body again.