I think there is something beautiful about sacrificing your body for the sake of a child. I hope that women know that they are normal, that there are other women who look like them no matter their distinctions.
A few weeks ago my child pointed to some stretch marks on my belly and asked, "What's that?" "YOU did that to mama," I told him.
But I'm also reminded of a doctor who lied to me twice about the realities of childbearing. Dr. Brinton told me that pregnancy and delivery does not alter your body and that my severe post-partum depression (thankfully only after my firstborn) was all in my head and didn't need to be treated.
In a world where we are bombarded with doctored images of celebrities whose reality is far removed from that of most women--I found this refreshing. I don't love my stretch marks, but I consider them--along with each grey hair and scars from wounds or surgeries--remembrances of life experiences. I will not be ashamed.
While I am just not that interested in looking at pictures of naked pregnant and post-partum women (Come on--don't we all already recognize that nobody looks "perfect" under their clothes?), I must say that I got quite an education last summer when I visited a topless beach in the Canary Islands. Breasts and nipples in sizes, shapes, and colors that I didn't know were possible. It was enlightening. The company I was with added to the overall experience: my husband, three kids, parents, and mission president parents-in-law. Probably they were all enlightened as well.
I think this is a great site for women who have had children, but not so great for those who are thinking of becoming pregnant or are in early pregnancy.
I love how it can help women feel better about their own bodies after having children. I am sure that many women feel like they are the only ones who look that way, and not like Heidi Klum after giving birth.
But I am sorry, if I saw those photos before I had a child, I might have had second thoughts. And I would hate for anyone to be discouraged from having children. NOTHING is better!
Ummm... Ok, let me start by saying I like to see pregnant women. I think those big bellies are beautiful. These ones post-pregnancy are not. Should anyone be ashamed of them? No. But it doesn't make me feel more "normal" or like I have a special bond with other mothers to see them. (If anything, they actually made me feel like I wasn't looking too bad...)
Hmmmm.... well - I get to see myself each day ...and there's a reason why I wear clothes.
However - I am impressed with the women that can just bare it all. It's a great support system if you're having issues with all the post-body stuff.
I didn't have that much of a problem with it because I figured I earned 'em... and she was/is so worth it. Plus - I was in a state of stunned happiness at how quickly the weight came out with breast-feeding.
That said - this site ...like a nudist colony (gaggin' but, why can't I just look away)... neither will I join. Then again - if I had the courage to get a tummy tuck sans kids... maybe I'd show a little skin... but I didn't even do that when I had a perfectly smooth body. Ah well...
My biggest shock was that my nipples stayed bigger than hershey kisses... like huge... monsters. I knew I should've been grateful for the perfect perky hershey kiss sized ones. You live, you learn.
I like the big belly-with-baby pics, but I'm not so crazy about seeing the stretchy flabby after baby stuff. I, too, wear clothes for more than one reason. I wish my baby flab would go away, but I think I have body issues, so oh well, just deal with it, right?
But hey, if it makes people feel better about their bodies, that's fine. I just won't be sharing my own stretchies and dimplies with cyberworld, myself.
I just had my third baby 4 weeks ago and this site makes me sad because I never took a bunch of photos of my naked, huge tummy. It's nice to see real post-partum stomachs so eagerly displayed.
I'm with Lorien. Me no likey. But I found that, like Scarlett, I couldn't tear myself away either. I'm not ashamed of my three baby belly, but I don't go showing it off either. I consider it my private badge of honor.
While I believe that the bellies shown should be honored and revered for what they symbolize, I find it a little disheartening that they've been posted all over the internet. Our bodies are holy and sacred, as is the work of bearing children. It makes me worry that the women posting are overly concerned with receiving an outside approval of their bodies. Perhaps this helps them get through the process of adapting to a dramatically changing body. Helps them deal with some feelings of self doubt to hear some outside approval? Still.. it kinda makes me sad. There are more uplifting ways to feel approval and acceptance.
On the other hand... it is a bit like watching a train wreck. "Can't... look... away."
Um, as someone who is TERRIFED of ever getting knocked, I say "thanks site. I will now start saving for another adoption. Cancel the cervical catheter."
um.... i don't know what to think. i just wish she knew it was partum. i beg your pardum?
ReplyDeleteI LOVE IT!
ReplyDeleteI think there is something beautiful about sacrificing your body for the sake of a child. I hope that women know that they are normal, that there are other women who look like them no matter their distinctions.
A few weeks ago my child pointed to some stretch marks on my belly and asked, "What's that?" "YOU did that to mama," I told him.
Love the honesty.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm also reminded of a doctor who lied to me twice about the realities of childbearing. Dr. Brinton told me that pregnancy and delivery does not alter your body and that my severe post-partum depression (thankfully only after my firstborn) was all in my head and didn't need to be treated.
In a world where we are bombarded with doctored images of celebrities whose reality is far removed from that of most women--I found this refreshing. I don't love my stretch marks, but I consider them--along with each grey hair and scars from wounds or surgeries--remembrances of life experiences. I will not be ashamed.
I don't find the post-partum pictures to be as attractive as the pre-partum pictures.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but that was THE most depressing thing I've seen. And I was feeling so good today. Just being honest...
ReplyDeleteIt's nice to see people who look like me, because all I see all day are these perfect, tight, smooth, flat stomachs.
ReplyDeleteI'm really in favor of this website. It makes me feel "normal," not a perfect candidate for an extreme makeover.
While I am just not that interested in looking at pictures of naked pregnant and post-partum women (Come on--don't we all already recognize that nobody looks "perfect" under their clothes?), I must say that I got quite an education last summer when I visited a topless beach in the Canary Islands. Breasts and nipples in sizes, shapes, and colors that I didn't know were possible. It was enlightening. The company I was with added to the overall experience: my husband, three kids, parents, and mission president parents-in-law. Probably they were all enlightened as well.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great site for women who have had children, but not so great for those who are thinking of becoming pregnant or are in early pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteI love how it can help women feel better about their own bodies after having children. I am sure that many women feel like they are the only ones who look that way, and not like Heidi Klum after giving birth.
But I am sorry, if I saw those photos before I had a child, I might have had second thoughts. And I would hate for anyone to be discouraged from having children. NOTHING is better!
Honestly? I thought it was gross. And I can say that because my saggy stomach after 5 kids looks like a road map.
ReplyDeleteUmmm... Ok, let me start by saying I like to see pregnant women. I think those big bellies are beautiful. These ones post-pregnancy are not. Should anyone be ashamed of them? No. But it doesn't make me feel more "normal" or like I have a special bond with other mothers to see them. (If anything, they actually made me feel like I wasn't looking too bad...)
ReplyDeleteWeird
ReplyDeleteHmmmm.... well - I get to see myself each day ...and there's a reason why I wear clothes.
ReplyDeleteHowever - I am impressed with the women that can just bare it all. It's a great support system if you're having issues with all the post-body stuff.
I didn't have that much of a problem with it because I figured I earned 'em... and she was/is so worth it. Plus - I was in a state of stunned happiness at how quickly the weight came out with breast-feeding.
That said - this site ...like a nudist colony (gaggin' but, why can't I just look away)... neither will I join. Then again - if I had the courage to get a tummy tuck sans kids... maybe I'd show a little skin... but I didn't even do that when I had a perfectly smooth body. Ah well...
My biggest shock was that my nipples stayed bigger than hershey kisses... like huge... monsters. I knew I should've been grateful for the perfect perky hershey kiss sized ones. You live, you learn.
Don't watch for my pictures to show up anytime soon. I can appreciate what this does. . .reminds us of what a real woman looks like!!
ReplyDeleteme no likey.
ReplyDeleteI like the big belly-with-baby pics, but I'm not so crazy about seeing the stretchy flabby after baby stuff. I, too, wear clothes for more than one reason. I wish my baby flab would go away, but I think I have body issues, so oh well, just deal with it, right?
But hey, if it makes people feel better about their bodies, that's fine. I just won't be sharing my own stretchies and dimplies with cyberworld, myself.
I just had my third baby 4 weeks ago and this site makes me sad because I never took a bunch of photos of my naked, huge tummy. It's nice to see real post-partum stomachs so eagerly displayed.
ReplyDeleteI'm with Lorien. Me no likey. But I found that, like Scarlett, I couldn't tear myself away either. I'm not ashamed of my three baby belly, but I don't go showing it off either. I consider it my private badge of honor.
ReplyDeleteWhile I believe that the bellies shown should be honored and revered for what they symbolize, I find it a little disheartening that they've been posted all over the internet. Our bodies are holy and sacred, as is the work of bearing children. It makes me worry that the women posting are overly concerned with receiving an outside approval of their bodies. Perhaps this helps them get through the process of adapting to a dramatically changing body. Helps them deal with some feelings of self doubt to hear some outside approval? Still.. it kinda makes me sad. There are more uplifting ways to feel approval and acceptance.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand... it is a bit like watching a train wreck. "Can't... look... away."
Um, as someone who is TERRIFED of ever getting knocked, I say "thanks site. I will now start saving for another adoption. Cancel the cervical catheter."
ReplyDelete