With all of the discussion about body shaming recently in the media, it got me thinking about my own view towards how my body looks, especially now while pregnant. I feel strongly that the many sides of pregnancy need to be seen, because no one fits into one mould.
During my pregnancy with my firstborn, I maybe have one photo of me with my belly fully exposed because I was incredibly self conscious of how it looked. Yesterday I took this photo of where my baby belly is at during this pregnancy. The old stretch marks are back, and growing with fresh lines. My belly button is being stretched flat right now. Baby girl is often curled up on my right making it look lopsided. While I may never get back to my “pre-pregnancy” tummy, I will forever cherish it’s appearance before, during, and after pregnancy. 4 pregnancies later… two ending in miscarriage. 2 little girls… One we wait patiently to make her appearance in the coming weeks. My body has, and is working hard to grow a baby. This is how my stomach looks right now, and I love it.
This pregnancy I find myself embracing the changes to my body much more. There is so much beauty brought to our bodies through pregnancy, childbirth, and becoming a mother. It is absolutely incredible what our bodies can do. It’s a miracle. I am wearing every stretch mark that has reappeared and grown longer with honour.
Each line across my stomach and hips is a mark for every moment. A mark for every moment I eagerly anticipated knowing I was pregnant.A mark for each of my pregnancies. A mark for every pound and inch my children have grown while inside of me. A mark for every moment, and so many more. They are all a reminder of how amazing our bodies are with being capable of having a baby form inside.
To all my fellow mama’s I want to encourage you to embrace where your body is at. Maybe you are pregnant with your first, or pregnant with your fourth. Maybe your stomach is covered in stretch marks, or you have none at all. Take a photo, or two, and remember this moment that your little one was part of you. You’ll miss the little flutters, and kicks. The photo will help you to remember, and it will become something you cherish. Cherish the body you have, and what it can do.
This is a beautiful post. Thank you for the positive, uplifting words reminding us how wonderful our bodies are! This is what we are made for and these ‘flaws’ are not that at all. They are memories and reminders of one of the many incredible things that women are capable of.
Love the skin you’re in. Great post mama. Four kids later, I’ve got all kinds of lines on my belly and hips.
Thank you so much for this post! I just had my first baby and tend to be really over critical when I look at my body and definitely when I see those stretch marks but it’s important to be happy with who I am. Thank you so much for the reminder!
I love that you are embracing your body! I have always thought after my pregnancy, that I am too proud of what my body did to hate it for even one second. You have a beautiful belly and I wish you luck during the coming weeks 🙂
I love your attitude toward the baby bump! I was always self-conscious and like you didn’t take many photos with my first. But you’re right, the growing belly, the marks, the flat belly button — all are signs of what our bodies have been through to bear the most remarkable people we know. I agree we should be proud!
This is such a great post. I’m so glad I read it right now at 36 weeks pregnant. It can be tough to accept all the changes our body goes through, but I like the idea of embracing each and every mark and line.
It took a very long time for me to be comfortable with my “post baby” body. I went from a size 4 to a size 10-12 and it was hard. Now, I’m reminded daily by strong mommas like you that every pudge, every stretch mark and every bump and wobble is a battle scar, our children are worth every single bit of it. <3
I’m glad you wrote this – I love your honesty! Luckily my stretch marks with my first weren’t bad but they are still there of course – and they don’t bother me at all! My first pregnancy I was very self conscious about my body… now I’m on the second time around as well and I love my pregnant body!
So exciting and congratulations! My daughter just started her third trimester and this is her first child – my first grandchild! Blessings to you!
My body isn’t just mine anymore and I love that. It was my daughter’s home, food source, comfort, everything. Proud of my tiger stripes.. ❤️