Let’s be honest here- the last thing I thought I would ever post is a picture of my belly in it’s current state… and UNEDITED. (eek!) And it’s not cheating that I overexposed a tiny bit in order to hide some of the zebra-ness OR that I’m posing from my left side and the right side is where Eli has always been and those stretch marks are a lot darker and more prominent. It’s called being a good photographer
It’s my job to photograph people in the most flattering light, and for me– this is it.
For the past 8 months, twice a day or more I lathered up my belly with various stretch mark lotions- I did not want them. I am pretty good about eating and did not gain a lot of weight at once, so I really thought I was in the clear. Month by month I gained a little tummy and no stretchmarks- I thought my plan (whatever that was!) had worked! Everything was great, until I got put on bedrest at 29 weeks for preterm labor. (Which is something I hadn’t openly shared on my fan page- but yes I have been on bedrest and medication for the past 7 weeks and I get off Monday! Couldn’t be more thrilled!) With bedrest, I could no longer be active and so the weight started creeping up on me. My first stretchmark appeared towards the end of 31 weeks, and I cried. I knew the worst was yet to come and I dreaded looking in the mirror every day.
The other day, someone shared the above quote with me- and like a slap in the face my thoughts on these “ugly things” completely changed. I hope that someone else will read the quote and find the comfort and peace it brought me.
“..it held you until my arms could, and for that, I will always find something beautiful in it”
by megan
Megan – this is beautiful and so are you. Those marks won’t mean anything to you when you hold that beautiful baby in your arms. Congratulations…xoxoxo
This poem is perfect. Thank you so much for sharing, I know it has made me feel a little better.
Congratulations – That baby will make your life amazing, priceless, and so worthwhile!!
You are beautiful no matter how many marks you have, love you friend.
Thanks so much for putting this in perspective. Like you, I maintained a healthy weight and no stretch marks until around the 7th month. I hated the fact that I was getting stretch marks. I’ve learned to just dislike them…until now. I think they are beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Megan! You are such a beautiful woman inside and out, and little Eli is so lucky to have you. These marks are taking you on one of the most exciting journeys of your life
Thank you for this! I didn’t get stretch marks with Parker so I thought I was clear with Chase. Boy was I surprised! And disappointed. Until now!!!! Thank you.
I agree that I did not want any but then I decided to toughen up – I was lucky enough to earn those stretch marks, not everyone can, plenty of people would jump at the chance to earn stretch marks for the ability to have a child ( I was even lucky enough to do it twice!). Same as wrinkles, they are earned by a life lived. There are worse alternatives. So glad that poem came along for you at a time when you needed it. You look beautiful and congrats!
This is a beautiful poem and I clung to it throughout my pregnancy. She is now almost 7 months and my belly is looking a little more normal…though it will always be changed and marked and I don’t mind either. I love the picture and think you are beautiful too
So beautiful! Cried when I read it;(. I have tons and have always hated them. This puts it all into perspective. How beautiful and true this really is!!!! Xoxo to you and can’t wait to see that sweet baby Eli.
Megan,
That quote has given me just the same security and comfort as it has you. I have never laid eyes on a more beautiful picture or quote. I too got those same loving marks and every summer when I dread putting a 2 piece on I will remember this quote. When people stare at me thinking who knows what, I will still think of this quote. Thank you for sharing and I can’t wait to see pictures of your wonderful baby!! XOXO
It never dawned on me to worry about stretch marks 40 yrs afo when I had my 1st child. I was too excited to be having a baby. I weighed less than 100 lbs when I got pregnant I gained 65# (my doctors were delighted my doctors were delighted) and my son weighed. 9# 10ozs. Not a single stretch mark. Friends told me how lucky I was, but I still didn’t “get it” why they felt the way they did. Now, I’m beginning tto think maybe I should feel slighted. You see I had tTwo daughters and both weighed 9# plus and I still have no marks. I’m glad that so many women are accepting and even loving those marks for what they are. The shadows of the journey to motherhood…God bless us all.
This is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, thanks for sharing it!
My children are full grown and I carry the marks and this made me cry, remembering the time of them growing within me.
My daughter is expecting and a friend came across this and shared it with her.
How utterly beautiful!
Megan, I just happened to come across this on The Bump website, someone posted it on a thread about stretch marks and it’s an absolutely beautiful picture of what carrying a baby is all about! I love the poem, it made me cry thinking of my little girl growing in my belly right now! Thank you for sharing this!
absolutely beautiful.
OMG I love this!! Found this picture via Pinterest and completely fell in love with the quote. My perspective totally changed about those “ugly marks.” Aw, jus love it! Thanks so much for sharing!!
32 weeks pregnant and totally crying over this (in a good way)…
I love that. I am reading this and have teas in my eyes. I have so many stretch marks and stomach funny marks. I could never wear a true two piece suit again, but I lovevrhe quote there. Makes them all worth it. Thanks for sharing.
I was 19 years old when I conceived my first child. I was a 90 lbs little gal that gained 40 lbs during the pregnancy. The doctor keep putting me on a diet as my stretch marks appeared in month number 2. I am hispanic so they really showed, like rivers on a map. I could pull my skin away from my body after delivery…others when taking a peak would grim. My husband was not allowed to touch it for over 20 years, I was so ashamed. Today I am a grandmother of 7 and a mother to 4 children. I still look in the mirror and see those scars but now instead of seeing yuk and shame I see the baby that I carried and that poem says it all…I never wore a bikini after that pregnancy, but it was a very small price to pay for my beautiful bouncing baby boy who is 33 years old today. Have a wonderful birth and motherhood!