Stretch marks advice greatly appreciated

My son is 4 months old today and im finding it so hard to accept my body after giving birth to him. I love my son more than anyone and he has made me so happy but I just hate the way I look now. I feel like a freak when I see stretch marks all over my legs and everywhere. I use bio oil and cocoa butter but they don't seem to be fading as quickly as I would like. Has anyone else used any other products that have helped or how did you come to terms with the fact of your body after birth? I also lost my baby weight really quickly and just have a jelly belly left but this has made me lose my boobs and they are just like sacks of skin now . My partner hates the fact I feel down all the time but I just don't know how to feel any better. Sometimes I find it hard being a mum cos I just wanna curl up in bed I feel so awful about myself. I would go through all the stretch marks again to have my gorgeous boy but sometimes I can't help feeling if I had never had a baby I wouldn't feel so bad but I know this is selfish I just want to feel better about myself!

xxxx

Hi

I'm not going to be of any help I'm afraid, I just wanted to let you know - you'r not alone. My som is 11 weeks today. I am 4ft 11" & was all front with my 8lb 5oz baby. I had an emergency c-section & suffered an umbilical hernia. Basically the two muscles that run vertically doen each side of my stomach seperated (as they do when pregnant), but they haven't gone back together. I could see my bowels & intestines moving under the skin & could fit my hand in the gap where the muscles should be when I lay down. I'm having physio & physio therapist said it could take 9mths to a year to get the muscles almost back to where they should be, however it will happen again no doubt if I get pregnant again. I am waiting on an appointment with the surgical team, but they probably won't do anything until I have finished my family.
So at the mo, my belly bulges in one place, goes in t the middle, hangs over my scar like an apron, I now have no waste, my boobs are almost non existant & have deep clear stretch marks on them & my thighs, bum & lower back have deep purple stretch marks on them. But apart from that I'm glad to have my mobility back after the c-section & after being limited because of the hernia.

Why on earth do we do it lol. This won't make you feel better but just to let you know, it's normal to hve "war wounds" & it's only been a few months since your body has been through a traumatic ordeal. Give yourself time, treat yourself & enjoy your baby.

Take care
Caz xx

ps I have piccies up of belly

It took

me a very very long time to accept the 'damage' to my body and to be honest there are days where I feel gross for lack of a better word.

I am five foot exactly and gave birth to a wopper at 9lbs 9oz!! I landed up having to have an emergency c section with him so not only have I got the jelly belly but I have an overhang that is exceptionally large. I was trying on a dress this morning and showed my aunt - she was gobsmacked!! For three weeks after my c-section I couldnt sleep on any side only on my back because the sheer weight of the excess skin pulled at my scar. My once round and pert full C cups are now aiming for my knees and my tummy looks like a road map leading to absolutely no where!!! Dont get me started on the double chin!

I have tried all oils - and nothing has worked really but my stretchmarks have faded a lot!! (we talking three weeks before my son is one!)

What really helped me was the little things. Getting my hair done at the salon, walking ALOT (that really boosted the way I felt/feel, drinking loads of water too as that helps the skin to retain its elasticity and what really made me feel much better about myself - my son. The older he gets, the more I enjoy being Mum and being with him and that really boosts the way I feel about myself. I figure I can have a tummy tuck and boob job but I get one chance at my boy!

Give youself some time to adjust. I have gone from a size 6-8 to a size 18 in pregnancy and now 10 - 12! And it has taken me a better part of six - eight months to adjust.

If your stretchmarks are really worrying you - try vitamin E oil. I tried Bio-oil but found vitamin E more nourishing and longer lasting

Hello!

I'm sorry to hear you feel so bad...but try to think it will be only for a brief period!
I could suggest you to use a specific cream called RI L A S T I L. to cure stretch marks. Here in Italy they sell it into pharmacies. You will surely find it in your country. So...cheer it up! You'll feel better and better.These are just little problems compared to the joy and happiness our children give us everyday! Bye bye Sonia.