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01-06-2013 at 11:14 PM
Toritiger
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Toritiger is not online. Last active: 05-03-2013, 12:19 PMNewbie

Low Self-Esteem.

Lately, my self-esteem has hit rock bottom. The stretchmarks, acne breakouts, and aches and pains are all too overwhelming. This is getting in the way of a sort of dream that I have always had; to take my maternity photos topless. I'm talking tasteful, not raunchy. My husband says that we can still do it because the stretch marks just add to the beauty of pregnancy. I say nay. What do you think? Should I let this bother me as much as it is? 
 
01-06-2013 at 11:23 PM
nyki06
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nyki06 is not online. Last active: 05-21-2013, 11:00 AMSilver

If you go to a good enough photographer they should use Photoshop and all of the things you described are easy edits. I'm a photographer and when I do maternity photos I make sure there are no visible blemishes. If you don't know who you want to go through already I would call different photographers and just ask about your concerns and if they would be able to edit those things. 

I also just wanted to say that I'm sorry you're having such a hard time with your body right now. I didn't really have low self esteem during pregnancy but after I had my daughter I never felt worse about myself (I'm a generally confident adult). Just know that when your child comes all of the crap that your body goes through is SO worth it.  


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01-06-2013 at 11:24 PM
organicmom...
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organicmom84 is not online. Last active: 05-02-2013, 3:13 PMNewbie

Is this your first pregnancy?? I understand how you're feeling, I feel the same way right now as if the bigger I get the less attractive I am. It's normal to feel that way and you're going to continue to feel that way until you start looking at those as badges of mommyhood:)

 

This is my second pregnancy and while I haven't had stretchmarks I have had the baby hairs that are impossible to tame and breakouts among other things. Count your blessings though, it sounds as if your husband still believes you are beautiful and you should believe him too. Don't let the stretch marks bother you, they will fade with time. If you are really unsure about what to do take topless ones and fully clothed ones. I promise that years down the road when you are watching your child grow up too quickly you'll be glad you can look at the picture and experience your pregnancy all over again.

 

Good Luck :)

 
01-07-2013 at 12:20 AM
Runaway22
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Runaway22 is online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 12:08 PMSilver
Ah, I can relate to the low self-esteem. I have taken 1 set of pregnancy snapshots on my digital camera. Uno. And I'm 34 weeks. :X

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01-07-2013 at 1:07 AM
RussianMom...
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RussianMommy is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 11:33 AMSilver
Photoshop

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01-07-2013 at 4:34 AM
AFBTB
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La la land
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AFBTB is not online. Last active: 04-26-2013, 6:48 AMBronze
I know what you mean. I've got my stretchmarks from DS getting dark again, and I'm getting more from this baby. The last thing I feel is attractive, especially when I add all the other disgusting problems I'm experiencing on top of it. My self esteem has taken a huge hit this pregnancy and there have been countless nights where DH has held me while I cry about how unattractive I feel. Which just makes me feel worse because he is so awesome to me and tries to reassure me that I am very beautiful to him.

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01-07-2013 at 5:26 AM
jmcgra06
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jmcgra06 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 5:51 AMNewbie

I feel the same way... I would say you should definitely try to do the photo shoot because everyone always says you'll be happy you did after the fact and you won't (thank god!) be pregnant forever, but it's hard. Years ago I thought I would want to take a weekly bump picture but when I found out we were pregnant, I was totally bloated and didn't want to do it.

It kind of reminds me of the lyrics to that song "Sunscreen" from the nineties...

"But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked...
You are not as fat as you Imagine."

Good luck!


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01-07-2013 at 7:09 AM
dande2129
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dande2129 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 10:52 AMSilver

The use of light plus black and white can easily "erase" your stretch marks without any editing.

I saw nothing beautiful in my stretch marks with DS, and I still don't, even after they've faded. I'm not one of those, "these are my tiger stripes!" kind of women. I will never again wear a bikini, or even a tankini, and I have very mild stretch marks. (I've seen a lot worse) Ultimately, no one can tell you how to feel, but I CAN tell you that it cease to matter when you have a LO. I'd take my stretch marks any day if the alternative was not having DS.


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01-07-2013 at 2:05 PM
nikip6454
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nikip6454 is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 11:41 AMSilver

I am sorry you are feeling like that.  FWIW I think we all have moments like that.  If you get really down, mention it to your OB.

I also agree with having the photos done and photoshopping out the stuff you don't like. 


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01-07-2013 at 3:10 PM
MommyLizzy
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MommyLizzy is not online. Last active: 05-23-2013, 11:11 AMBronze

I hear you!  I feel so unsexy all the time.  I'm planning on buying myself some really nice lingere as soon as i drop the baby weight to make myself feel better again.

I cant exactly relate to the pregnancy photos, I lack the self confidence to take nude photos regardless of being pregnant or not.  But most people get nude photos touched up, not only pregnant women.  Look at all those celebs you think none of them got stretch marks? Photoshop FTW!!!!

I think its great that you want to get them done, and if you don't do it you will regret it I'm sure.  If you end up hating them, stick them in a locked box and put them away in the back of the closet.  I'm sure In 30 years you'll think you look amazing! 


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01-07-2013 at 7:20 PM
Snapdragon...
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Snapdragon750 is not online. Last active: 05-22-2013, 8:31 PMBronze
If it's meant to be tasteful, not raunchy, then the stretch marks are beautiful.
 
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