Me and my tiger stripes

QUEEN: Eden Schollum 25, says her stretch marks from her daughter Paige three (pictured) and soon to be daughter in her tummy, make her proud to wear a piece of her children on her body. She is part of a group of Gisborne mums who shared how their perception of their stretch marks have changed over time. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

Brooke Matthews, 23, three children, oldest is nearly six“My stretch marks are everywhere, I hated them at first. I tried every cream possible but then looked at my mum’s and sister’s and learned to embrace them. Every stretch mark reminds me that my body was just a vessel to carry miracles and they are worth it. Now I feel amazing”.

Nicole Kirk, 25, two children, oldest is three“I did not like them at all at first and I did everything to hide them. I tried so hard to prevent them so when they came it was upsetting. Mine are mainly on my tummy and vary in size, overtime they have faded to silver.

“It took me a while to accept them but I do not try to hide them any more, they are a part of me and I am proud of that. They are a reminder of my special time carrying my children before I could carry them in my arms. To other mums you are not the only one who has them, they do fade. Wear them with pride. They are special and unique to you and your journey with your little one.”

Maria Cosgrove, 38, two children, oldest is 14“Stretch marks have never really bothered me as I know I cannot do anything about them. Stretch marks to me are not a sign of childbrith, just life and more about what our bodies go through.

“Whether it is stretch marks, weight, hair skin, words of encouragement I use are: do not worry about what others think, be around positive, supportive people.”

Kyla Ropitini, 18, one child, three months old“I gained stretch marks on my hips and lower tummy after giving birth and breasts from breastfeeding. As a teenager I thought they were ugly, they were an embarrassment and an insecurity for me.

“Now my beautiful baby boy is three months, I look at my world and my life differently. I see purpose, potential and perfection. I see my body was my baby’s home and from the inside he carried my heart. I look at these tattoos forever etched on my skin and see wonder and the woman I have become. I embrace them and I encourage other magnificent, marvellous mothers to realise that they make you awesome.”

Lynne McKay, 53, two children, oldest is 23“I was disappointed when I first got stretch marks but I guess it is a part of having children. Now I am older I still hate them and I keep them covered. But now I say they are the stripes I have earned.

“Do I regret them? No, I am the proud mother of two wonderful children, so I guess I have a love hate relationship with my stripes!”

Gemma Walker, 24, one child — two years old“Mine are mostly on my boobs from breastfeeding. I was sad at first because I suffered from post natal depression. Now I am completely fine with them, because I know it was all worth it. When I look at them now, I feel like a proud mumma.

“To other mums I would say, don’t worry beautiful mumma, time does heal.”

Gabrielle Schuman, 24, one childd, seven years old, 14 weeks pregnant with second“Mine were dark red and purple at first. I was really upset especially being only 17 at the time. I cried about them and remember my mum saying in a few years I would barely notice them. Now they have completely faded and I do not notice them at all.

“Stretch marks do fade, they are what make you proud to have gone through such a wonderful experience. They should be openly talked about and embraced.”

Eden Schollum, 25, one child, three years old, 37 weeks pregnant“Initially when I was pregnant at 20, I was a little disappointed at my stretch marks. I did care being so young. With baby number two I really could not care what they look like, I am proud I get to wear a piece of my children with me everyday.

“A message to other mums, be proud of your mumma stripes. The world’s best accomplishment is being a mother. Everyone’s body is different, be proud.”

Lexy Lillys, 32, three kids, oldest is 13“I am literally covered in stretch marks, from the top of my navel down to my inner and outer thigh area. At first I was in shock, I had never seen anything like it. I cried and got a bit depressed. I used to feel ashamed and unattractive, like a gross monster. I used to think I was disgusting.

“It took me a long time to realise they are OK and perfectly normal. I have learned to embrace them. To other women, do not be ashamed, at the end of the day you made a beautiful little bubba and your stretch marks show that journey.”

Cath Hagan, 43, three kids, oldest is nine“When you go through birth and breast-feeding you are continuously giving your body to that child. Your body in a way is not your own any more, for quite some time I was just like ‘wow’ look what I am doing for my children. I had someone else to think about and stretch marks became the least of my worries.

“Your stomach is never same and although I am conscious of it, my stretch marks really do not bother me.”

Nataasha Griffiths, 25, two children, oldest is two“I have stretch marks pretty much all over, armpits, breasts, stomach, back, back of the legs. I was really gutted when I saw my first ones and they just multiplied by thousands. When I lost all my pregnancy weight and realised they were not going anywhere I stopped caring. It took me a long time but they are part of my body now.

“I feel self conscious around strangers but around friends and family I could not care less. When I look at them now I just see myself, they are a part of me and they don’t change who I am. For the soon to be mummas, be proud. I love my babies which in turn makes me kind of love my stretch marks.”

Mon Hema, 20, three children, oldest is five“I had my first child at 15, that was when I got most of my stretch marks. They almost looked like bruises covering my whole belly. It was more the excess skin from having a 10-pound baby that bothered me. The 15-year-old me did not like the stretch marks throughout my body, they were daunting. I was embarrassed and hated the thought of someone looking at them. It took nearly a year to accept them.

“The 20-year-old me loves each and everyone of them. It also helps knowing I am not the only one. Without these tiger-stripes I would not have what I have today, my beautiful babies. To new mums if I could change one thing about my stretch marks, it would be that I wish I loved them earlier. They are not the end of the world but the start of a new one.”

Ashlee Krista, 28, three children and one angel baby boy, expecting again in March. Oldest daughter is 10“I have had two miscarriages and one recent ectopic pregnancy with sent me to the emergency to have my right tube removed. I was diagnosed with early menopause due to polycystic ovaries after my first daughter, the doctors said I would not have any more children. Six year later I gave birth to three more children and with one tube am expecting again in March, sadly my baby boy passed away in March of this year.

“So after all that, stretch marks? Irrelevant to life and love and laughter, so therefore why bother to care, own who you are and be proud. I am happy with the way I am.”