Stretch marks. It's the one part of my pregnancy that I have not, until recently, been able to accept. By recently, I'm talking about 2-3 weeks ago.
Some people will tell you there's nothing you can do to avoid them...they are hereditary, so if my mom got them (which she did) I will (and I did).
Others will tell you that creams & lotions will prevent them. That is not true. There is absolutely no scientific backing to this, I'm not really sure where this claim came from...probably one of the few women who didn't get them while pregnant.
Then, there's my favorite type of woman. The kind who has no kids, but is full of opinions regarding the subject...the one who thinks she knows everything about it but yet has never actually had the experience of carrying a child. Word of advice to this group: Shut up.
For me, for whatever reason, upon noticing my first set of stretch marks, I immediately got depressed. I thought of every woman in the third category and felt judged by them. I hated when women would say "they are your stripes, you have earned them, wear them proudly"... I haven't earned anything yet. Until I hold my baby in my arms, I will feel like I haven't done anything.
That being said, they are starting to fade now. I may never get my "bikini body" back, but that doesn't even matter to me anymore...honestly I can count on both hands how many times I've worn a bikini. The fact that I am growing a human life inside me is seriously astounding. I can't believe it. With everything I couldn't do up to this point...all the opportunities I missed or was passed up on, I get to have my own baby. Seriously, what could be better than that?
Stretch marks or not, I am so in love already. I am awaiting his arrival, knowing that in theory he could enter the world any day now...I'm anxious and excited! :)
Some people will tell you there's nothing you can do to avoid them...they are hereditary, so if my mom got them (which she did) I will (and I did).
Others will tell you that creams & lotions will prevent them. That is not true. There is absolutely no scientific backing to this, I'm not really sure where this claim came from...probably one of the few women who didn't get them while pregnant.
Then, there's my favorite type of woman. The kind who has no kids, but is full of opinions regarding the subject...the one who thinks she knows everything about it but yet has never actually had the experience of carrying a child. Word of advice to this group: Shut up.
For me, for whatever reason, upon noticing my first set of stretch marks, I immediately got depressed. I thought of every woman in the third category and felt judged by them. I hated when women would say "they are your stripes, you have earned them, wear them proudly"... I haven't earned anything yet. Until I hold my baby in my arms, I will feel like I haven't done anything.
That being said, they are starting to fade now. I may never get my "bikini body" back, but that doesn't even matter to me anymore...honestly I can count on both hands how many times I've worn a bikini. The fact that I am growing a human life inside me is seriously astounding. I can't believe it. With everything I couldn't do up to this point...all the opportunities I missed or was passed up on, I get to have my own baby. Seriously, what could be better than that?
Stretch marks or not, I am so in love already. I am awaiting his arrival, knowing that in theory he could enter the world any day now...I'm anxious and excited! :)
