These Moms Sharing Powerful Messages About Postpartum Bodies Is Everything
A new wave of self-love is hitting the web in the form of proud mamas bearing the “battle [...]
A new wave of self-love is hitting the web in the form of proud mamas bearing the "battle scars" of childbirth. Stretch marks, a little extra pooch, scars—who cares? The positive and encouraging attitude toward motherhood—and the postpartum body—is everything. Check out these brave moms sharing their photos and messages of both struggle and celebration; they'll definitely inspire you!
"I keep going back & forth on whether or not I should post this picture. It isn't the most flattering of photos, heck it isn't flattering at all. But there is more than meets the eye and this is more than just a photo.
Pregnancy & Birthing truly is a wonderful thing and Motherhood is simply the most rewarding however there is the other side of all this beauty that no one really talks about and I am not sure why. There are SO many expectations as a (new) mom yet we barely take into consideration everything that a woman goes through from pregnancy to giving birth to becoming a Mother. Physical, mental and emotional. Yes, you'll still look pregnant right after giving birth - No, your old clothes won't fit right away and for some of us - Yes, we get these marks that are here to stay.
But see, this is FAR more than just a photo and these marks go deeper than you think. This is about adjusting into a new role, it's about figuring out how to raise a child, how to do all these things you've never done before. This is about how to be a new Mom without crying every second that you can't figure out why your baby is crying. This for those bad days and breaking down. This is for trying, for dedicating, for working hard and for putting myself last just so I could put her first. This is for Motherhood - the good, the bad & the ugly.
And I embrace it. All of it. Cause this too shall pass and the only way to go from here is up. When a baby is born, so is a Mother and with it is a lifetime of lessons. So to all the Moms out there going through their own struggles, whatever it may be, kudos to you for doing THE hardest job there is while still able to manage a smile just for your little ones. Here's to us!"
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"This photo is not edited in any way. I want to be clear...I am the most confident in my body than I have ever been in my life! I've worked my ass off since last April and I am on the fitness journey wholeheartedly! I want to show you that you can love your body at any stage.
Yes, I have stretch marks. I had 2 kids!
Yes, I have a mom pouch.
It has been harder to get down since my c-section less than a year ago..and I HAD 2 KIDS! (Baby #1 was not c-section). 8 months ago this picture would have never happened but today I felt it was needed.
I am proud of who I am. I am proud of who I am becoming. Love yourself no matter what you look like or where you are. Kids or not...your body is yours! OWN IT! If you want to change it DO IT! It's ultimately your choice!"
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"My goal this year is to love myself no matter what my weight is, to own my mama bear stripes and as always be stronger than I was yesterday."
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"Today I am 20 weeks postpartum. I'm doing an hour of power yoga daily and eating right 90% of the time. I still have my own personal goals to hit but I'm proud of how far I've come. Stretchmarks and all."
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"I have stretch marks and I wear a bikini. I have a belly that's permanently flabby from carrying three giant babies and I wear a bikini. My belly button is saggy... (which is something I didn't even know was possible before!!) and I wear a bikini.
I wear a bikini because I'm proud of this body and every mark on it. Those marks prove that I was blessed enough to carry my babies and that flabby tummy means I worked hard to lose what weight I could.
I wear a bikini because the only man who's opinion matters knows what I went through to look this way. That same man says he's never seen anything sexier than my body, marks and all. They aren't scars ladies, they're stripes and you've earned them.
Flaunt that body with pride!"
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"Well, I know a lot of you guys are probably thinking 'why would she post this picture', but, it took me 18 months to get here, 18 months to not cry when I look in the mirror, 18 months to finally feel beautiful in my own skin again!
No one warns you about the dark sides of motherhood and pregnancy.. no one gives you a heads up on how much you change physically and mentally after you become a mother. It's been a long and hard postpartum ride for me.. 18 months after my first son and 5 months after my second son I feel like I can finally see the light ✨ and it genuinely feels amazing?
cheers to you mamas who are battling postpartum depression and still getting up everyday for your children! Cheers to you mamas who still cry about the marks on your skin from birthing your perfect babies! Cheer to motherhood, cheers to knowing that this too shall pass! And things will get better?"
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