Blaine Bennett - currently 16 weeks pregnant (25) and Maddie (5)
Photographed in Seattle, Washington
Blaine shares -
"I have had stretch marks for as along as I can remember. My legs and butt were covered in bright white marks. I was always self conscious about them. As a teen I had friends who would always make comments about them, I valued their opinions at the time, so I tried everything to get rid of them. Skin brushing, creams, lotions, aloe vera, wraps, pack, everything. I bought the most expensive stretch mark creams with no noticeable difference ever achieved. I was so jealous that none of my friends had stretch marks, it wasn't until i was older that I learned my darker skin was more prone to stretch marks.
After I became pregnant at 19 , I was obsessed with not getting any more. I tried everything, but was left with a stomach full of stripes. I didn't feel proud or love them. I was embarrassed. I have since become a doula and student midwife. I have seen the most beautiful women, covered in stripes birth their babies with strength and love. It has been since then, that I have learned to love my body. That I have learned no matter what I look like my kids will still love me I am still a good mother. It is such an insignificant part of my journey to be focusing on.
I want others to know that you don't have to be perfect. Your dishes don't always need to be done, your floors can stay dirty another day. Leave the laundry piled up. Spending time with your child is absolute perfection.
This movement has inspired me since the first picture I saw. I saw how happy and confident these women were, smiling with their children, and I didn't think I could ever be that happy showing my body."