I just had a baby on April 1st via C-Section.  From the pregnancy I have a huge amount of stretch marks.  They are everywhere....I am not even exaggerating.  Then I have that extra skin that hangs over my incision.  I am so happy and grateful that we were able to get pregnant and have such a healthy beautiful baby girl.  I am having problems with getting use to my body.  I am actually a few lbs. lighter than I was before I got pregnant thinking that if I lost weight I would start to feel better about myself and I don't feel any better.  I hate for my hubby to see me naked.  I can't even see myself every wearing a bathing suit again.  My husband has never said or done anything to make me feel bad about my body.  He does nothing but encourage me and try to make me feel better.  I am having an inner battle with myself trying to get over this.  Any ideas or suggestions?  Did anyone else go through this? 

hi. i'm sure we all have.  the worst part is the guilt of fretting over something "superficial" when you've been blessed with a baby.  i'm about 4.5 months post partum... skin is less saggy but still have so many more veins than i used to.  not really varicose, just big veins hopefully b/c my blood volume hasn't gone back to normal.  i try to look at them as "love squiggles."  all i can say is keep looking at your baby.  would you trade him/her for any "perfect" body?  of course not.  your husband sounds wonderful.  you are the mother of his child and have given him the best gift ever.  try to enjoy all that you have vs. thinking of what you had to trade to get it.  i hope that helps...

i loved my body right after giving birth to my now 15 month old. but it took me a little while before i would let my husband see me naked and still to this day. i find it hard to let him see me. but i started taken anti depressants and i do feel less sad about any part my body im just glad i have her and she now shows me why i gave up my body. the love your child will show you will soon make up for the loss of ur perfect body. believe me.

I know how you feel!  I gained 35 pounds and have lost it all, plus a little more but still have the extra skin and stretch marks.  I got stretch marks on my legs, hips and butt as well as my stomach - I thought I would only get stretch marks on my stomach - boy, was I mistaken!  Unfortunatley, our bodies will never be the same.  My husband calls my stretch marks 'sexy baby marks'.  He says it reminds him of what a strong woman I was to go through the pregnancy.  I know he's probably just saying that, but I like it!  Maybe thinking about them as your 'proud battle scars' will help! 

Thanks ladies for all your wonderful adivce!  I would never trade my daughter for anything in the world.  We are so lucky to have her!  I guess I just never realized how much your body really does change while being pregnant and having a baby.  My hubby is so supportive of everything and does nothing but help me through all of this.  I really do appreciate everything and it is good to know that I am not the only one going through this even months after my daughter was born! :)  Thanks again! :)

Hi Erica I to have a body issue. I went back to my pre baby size and had no stretch marks and no extra skin. My baby girl is now about to turn 4months and I noticed that I still have that very dark almost black line going up my stomach. My mother said it should go away but I see no difference I am worried I am stuck with it. My husband doesn't seem to really mind but it really bugs me. I can only hope that one day it wont be there. It looks like I had a vertical C-section. I don't know what to do.

I had that dark vertical line on my tummy too. It's caused by hormones during pregnancy and will slowly fade away. No worries :)

When you feel up to and your Dr. gives permission to do exercises. Try to find around your area "Strollerfit" or "Baby boot camp" classes.  Strollerfit are classes design for women who want to loose the baby weight and gain their pre-baby muscles back in position.   All exercise are to give you your body back.  Believe me I have witness with my own eyes, women getting a strong almost flat stomach after a year of intense workout.  The classes are also done with your baby, if he/she is less than a year you can use your baby as "weights", and he/she will laugh because there are songs during the workout and it is like a game to them.  (it is like "how silly looks mommy running and doing a airplane with her arms or saying meow everytime she archs her back"). If the baby is over a year you can put him on your back when you do the "on four legs" exercises.  And the first 35 minutes the exercises are done with your kid stayin inside the stroller, the rest of the 15 minutes is on the floor core exercises while your child play with the other kids.  I heard baby boot camp is almost the same.

Good luck.

Good luck

My daughter is a year old and the dark line on my belly is just now starting to fade away.  it takes awhile so be patient!  :)