“Mother of Twins Reflects on Pregnancy Sacrifices and Lasting Stretch Marks
A mother who gave birth to twins has revealed how her pregnancy left her with extensive stretch marks — so severe that even a year later, she still feels too self-conscious to go shopping.
Looking back on her journey, Vu Lan Hai Ha, born in 1994 in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, often reflects on the sacrifices she made to ensure the health of her two children.
After her first child was 14 months old, Ms. Ha discovered she was pregnant again — a complete surprise. She had been taking birth control pills, but temporarily stopped them due to a scheduled COVID-19 vaccination, intending to avoid any health issues with the injection. “I was careful to track our days, but unexpectedly, I still got pregnant,” she recalled.

Before taking a pregnancy test, Ms. Ha noticed she felt tired in the afternoons, dizzy, and craved green mangoes, but never suspected she was expecting. A friend suggested she take a test, and to her astonishment, it showed two strong lines, revealing she was carrying twins.
“At first, I cried all day and felt very upset,” she admitted. “I was worried because my first daughter was still very young, and my maternal grandparents weren’t in Vietnam to help. I didn’t know how I would manage with a second child.”
Fortunately, Ms. Ha’s second pregnancy was relatively smooth. She gained 16 kg, and her twins were born healthy at 3.3 kg and 3.4 kg. Unlike her first pregnancy, she did not experience gestational diabetes. She maintained a balanced diet, drinking sugarcane juice, soy milk, unsweetened fresh milk, and prenatal milk only during the first two months.
To prevent stretch marks, she regularly applied coconut oil, but by the final months of pregnancy, her belly was heavily marked. “Initially, seeing the stretch marks frightened me,” she said. “But gradually, I accepted them because the joy of having two healthy children was far greater.”
By 28 weeks, her belly had dropped, making movement difficult. By 38 weeks, ultrasounds showed the twins weighed 3 kg each, and with frequent contractions, Ms. Ha opted for a planned cesarean section.
“At 10 PM, my husband and aunt took me to Tu Du Hospital for monitoring. Fortunately, the cesarean went smoothly. My mother-in-law came afterward to help care for me and the babies during my stay,” she recalled.

After birth, her three children were primarily cared for by their grandmother, who handled cooking, cleaning, and daily care. This support gave Ms. Ha time to recover. Thanks to breastfeeding and managing sleep, she regained her pre-pregnancy figure within 1.5 months, though the stretch marks remained.
“Initially, I didn’t mind my belly, but going for body massages or shopping became embarrassing,” she said. “I didn’t dare show my body. Even now, I avoid massages because I feel traumatized.”
Despite these insecurities, Ms. Ha finds joy in her children’s growth and sees her stretch marks as a symbol of love and sacrifice. “As a mother, I am happy with the stretch marks,” she said. “They’re nothing compared to having my healthy, lovely children. It’s the greatest gift a mother can receive.”
Looking ahead, Ms. Ha plans to consider cosmetic surgery or a tummy tuck after raising her two older children to regain the youthful figure she had in her twenties.”