{this picture is from The Shape of a Mother website}
I got my first stretch mark when I was around 30 weeks. I had been so proud of myself {up until that point} for maintaining a tight streak-free stomach, even though I was measuring around 40 weeks. My doctor even marveled at how nice it looked. Of course, it was only a few days later when I noticed a tiny silver firework that had secretly exploded above my protruding belly button. After that, it was all downhill {Palmer's butter promise my butt!} as my stomach turned into what I referred to as the "battle zone". I still loved being pregnant, but as my belly continued to grow and grow, my 22 year old mind worried itself as to how this skin would look after the fact.
I'd seen the moms that had their babies and were suddenly back into their jeans again, just like magic. But they all had one baby, not two, so I came to terms with the fact that my stomach would never look like theirs, and it would probably be a while before I got back into my jeans. In the OR during my c/s, I even told my OB to take off as much excess skin as he wanted before he stitched me back up. He laughed and replied, "What excess skin?". I might have been doped up on drugs but I wasn't stupid. I went home looking like I was 6 months pregnant, and I cried when I saw my stomach in the mirror weeks later.
It's been almost two years, and I'd like to say that I've regained most of my body, or at least as much as I could. I still have stretch marks and extra skin that I would love to donate to anyone who needs it {let me know}, and my belly button still refuses to smile. After nursing twins for 10 months, well let's just say that my ladies found retirement in Smallville. The truth is I don't regret any of it. It's only a testament to me of how strong and amazing my body is and how grateful I should be to God for blessing me with it. My body can grow and feed two babies, TWO BABIES! It can stretch and mold and could fulfill every task it was given even when it was twice the work. It took me a while to feel this way, but I'm glad that I do.
After reading a few posts on the Unecessarean, I noticed a link for "The Shape of A Mother."It is a compilation of mothers from different backgrounds and births sharing how their bodies have changed after pregnancy and birth. I like it because it's real, and there aren't any airbrushed pictures on this one. You won't see any Angelinas post-tummy tuck, or JLOs in their itty-bitty bikinis. Just real women with real bodies, that are striving to embrace the changes their bodies made to bring life into the world.