Love Lines vs Stretch Marks

I know stretch marks. I've had the "joy" of stretch marks since I was 15. I was a very late bloomer, and didn't hit puberty till the summer between freshman and sophmore years in high school. I was the classic flat chested kid. I can clearly remember the taunts - "Roses are red, violets are black, why is your chest as flat as your back!" And I also remember in Jr. High being embarassed to change at gym because all the other girls were wearing bras but my mom wasn't going to spend money on something I didn't even need.

Then aunt flow hit. And in one summer I went from concave chest to full C cup. And it didn't stop there. Before I got pregnant, my chest was a size 38 E. That's right, E as in ENORMOUS! (Side note, I cannot find a nursing bra big enough.) So needless to say, the rapid expansion of mammary tissue did not coincide with the rate my skin was growing. I had Giant reddish purple streaks all over my chest. I was too embarassed to wear anything that scooped down even a little as these stretch marks come to about an inch shy of my collar bone.

My mom didn't help matters. If even a little of my marks were showing she'd point it out to me. She didn't do it to be mean. She does the same thing if my bra strap is showing to this day. She is very conservative herself, and would've been embarassed if they were on her and anyone saw them. So she was just trying to save me some embarassment. She just didn't realize that instead of helping, she was making me more self conscious.

So, lets skip foward to the following summer. I am about a D cup now, andI still have those blaring stretch marks. I wanted to go swimming with my friends badly, but i was so embarassed about my stretch marks that if I went, I wore a tshirt. And, seriously, how UN-fun is swimming in a tshirt. One day, I was with my friends and I was complaining about my tshirt, and they were like, "We don't even understand why you're wearing it. We don't care about your boobs."

It was pretty eye opening for a 16 ish girl. All anyone had ever concentrated on before was my lack of boobs. Now that I had them, no one cared? Then I realized that none of my friends had ever concentrated on my lack of or gain of boobs. It was just the bullies and pricks. So, off came my shirt and I had a blast the rest of the summer.

Also, due to the fact that I was no longer hiding myself under a big old tshirt, My boobs got exposed to sunlight. You hear advertisements for all those fancy creams and crap to get rid of stretch marks, right? Ignore them. They are a waste of money. If you've gotten stretch marks, you will ALWAYS have them. The good news is that they don't always have to be purplish red! I got sunburned once, and when my sun burn went away, the color of my marks was drastically reduced. Don't get me wrong, it sucked being sun burned. But I realized that the sun and time were the only things that were going to make them get fainter.

Today, I still have all my giant lines running over my boobs, but they're the same color as my skin. The only way you can tell they're there at all is to run your finger over them and feel the indentation.

I noticed a few weeks ago that I am getting them now on my belly. And you know what, I was SO EXCITED! I called my DH in and said, I'm finally getting some Love Lines! It means he is growing!! I don't know yet if I will sun the red out of these after Trevor is born, but I do know that I am not ashamed in the slightest of these marks, these Love Lines. Because that is exactly what they are, Love Lines. I love my baby so much and he isn't even born yet. They remind me daily of the wonderous miracle growing inside of me, and how lucky I am that he picked me to be his mommy.

I've gotta stop now because I'm over here having a pregnant cry now. Heh.

My Birth Plan

LABOR

I would prefer to avoid an enema and/or shaving of pubic hair.I would like to be free to walk around during labor.
I wish to be able to move around and change position at will throughout labor.
I would like to be able to have fluids by mouth throughout my labor.
I will be bringing my own music to play during labor.
I would like the environment to be kept as quiet as possible.
I would like the lights in the room to be kept low during my labor.
I would prefer to keep the number of vaginal exams to a minimum.
I do not want an IV.
I would like to wear contact lenses or glasses at all times when conscious.
If available, I would like to shower when I wish, and sit in a birthing tub when I wish.
I will be bringing a birthing ball, I wish to be able to use it freely.

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MONITORING

I do not wish to have continuous fetal monitoring.
I do not want an internal monitor.

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LABOR AUGMENTATION/INDUCTION

I do not wish to have the amniotic membrane ruptured artificially.
I would prefer to be allowed to try changing position and other natural methods (walking, nipple stimulation).
I do not wish to have pitocin administered at all.

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ANESTHESIA/PAIN MEDICATION

I realize that many pain medications exist I’ll ask for them if I need them.

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CESAREAN

I would like to avoid a Cesarean.
If my primary care provider determines that a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to obtain a second opinion from another physician.
If a Cesarean delivery is indicated, I would like to be fully informed and to participate in the decision-making process.
I would like (coach) present at all times if the baby requires a Cesarean delivery.
I wish to have an epidural for anesthesia
So I can view the birth, I would like the screen lowered just before delivery of the baby.
If the baby is not in distress, the baby should be given to father immediately after birth.

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EPISIOTOMY

I would prefer not to have an episiotomy unless absolutely required for the baby’s safety.
I am hoping to protect the perineum. I am practicing ahead of time by squatting, doing Kegel exercises, and perineal massage.
If possible, I would like to use perineal massage to help avoid the need for an episiotomy.
I would like a local anesthetic to repair a tear or an episiotomy.

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DELIVERY

I would like to be allowed to choose the position in which I give birth, including squatting.
I would like my husband and/or nurses to support me and my legs as necessary during the pushing stage.
I would like a mirror available so I can see the baby’s head when it crowns.
I would like the chance to touch the baby’s head when it crowns.
Even if I am fully dilated, and assuming the baby is not in distress, I would like to try to wait until I feel the urge to push before beginning the pushing phase.
I would appreciate having the room lights turned low for the actual delivery.
I would appreciate having the room as quiet as possible when the baby is born.
I would like to have the baby placed on my stomach/chest immediately after delivery.

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IMMEDIATELY AFTER DELIVERY

The umbilical cord needs to stop pulsating before it is cut.
I would like to have my husband cut the cord.
I would like to hold the baby while I deliver the placenta and any tissue repairs are made.
I would like to hold the baby for at least fifteen minutes before he is photographed, examined, etc.
I would like to have the baby evaluated and bathed in my presence.
I plan to keep the baby near me following birth and would appreciate if the evaluation of the baby can be done with the baby on my abdomen, with both of us covered by a warm blanket, unless there is an unusual situation.
If the baby must be taken from me to receive medical treatment, my husband or some other person I designate will accompany the baby at all times.
I would prefer to hold the baby rather than have him placed under heat lamps.
I do not want a routine injection of pitocin after the delivery to aid in expelling the placenta.
I would like to delay the eye medication for the baby until a couple hours after birth.
After the birth, I would prefer to be given a few moments of privacy to urinate on my own before being catheterized.

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POSTPARTUM

I would like a private room, if available.
Unless required for health reasons, I do not wish to be separated from my baby.
I would like to have the baby "room in" and be with me at all times.
I would like my baby to recieve the oral vitamin K instead of the shot.

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BREASTFEEDING

I plan to breastfeed the baby and would like to begin nursing very shortly after birth.
Unless medically necessary, I do not wish to have any bottles given to the baby (including glucose water or plain water).
I do not want the baby to be given a pacifier.

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CIRCUMCISION

I do not want the baby circumcised; I also do not want the foreskin retracted at all.
His penis is to be left intact the way God made it.


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PHOTO/VIDEO

I would like to take still photographs during labor and the birth.
I would like to make a videorecording of labor and/or the birth.

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OTHER

My support people are my mother and father, and also my mother in law and sister, and I would like them to be present during labor and/or delivery.
I would prefer that no students, interns, residents or non-essential personnel be present during my labor or the birth.
I will be making final decisions when the time comes as to who stays in the room with me during the birth.









Thats not quite perfect in my opinion. Any suggestions?

TOTALLY ME!!!

in other news, i actually did clean some today. C and I did a lot of laundry (which I HATE, which is why it was very backed up.) Tomorrow we are doing all our dishes. NASTY. I hate dishes more than laundry. Add that to the fact that we don't have a dish washer and you can see my problem.


Anyways, my MIL is over so I am gonna go.