I think you've perfectly described why it's hard to accept because until we're in postpartum ourselves, we've never seen an honest portrayal of a postpartum body. One reason is because the images we see on instagram tagged #postpartumbody are more often than not, new mums in active wear. There's a study lead by researcher Megan Gow that looks at these images and how detrimental they are to a maternal mental health in postpartum. This feeds into the fact that by 4 months postpartum, close to 70% of mothers are dieting (pp is also a high-risk time for eating disorder relapse). What we're not talking about enough is how long birth recovery takes, especially in regard to how the body functions. Anyway, could go on, have spent the past few years researching postpartum, so full of anger and facts. ha! x
OMG I just checked that hashtag and you're right! I had NO idea about that dieting statistic, at four months postpartum! That seems wild to me, but not surprise really given the message that the media still pushes. Thanks as always for your incredible insight. X
It also directly informs milk supply, and low milk supply is one of the top reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding. Of course it’s all connected, but there’s also so little evidence-based information out there x
I know this article was about the postpartum belly in particular, but I have to tell you that when I looked at those pictures my first thought was: gosh, she’s so beautiful.
It’s funny, my mum and I were talking about this yesterday: one of her friends has gone through 3 big losses in the past 6 months and has gained a lot of weight. She confessed it to my mum and said “well now that I’ve told you I don’t feel so embarrassed to see you” and my mums reply was “I don’t think I would have noticed, I see your heart when I see you.”
(Sorry! This is such a long reply) I just wanted to say 1) thank you for sharing this vulnerable thing and 2) most of the people who know you - or who even don’t - probably don’t notice your body. They see your heart, your smile, your energy and the way you love your children.
Absolutely LOVE this take! We often talk about this on the pod. Everyone is too worried about themselves to be worried about how you look and we do tend to see the beauty in others! Love this reminder x
Oooft this speaks to my soul. Despite how many times I repeat 'you were your kids first home', I too am surprised and disappointed about how much I care about how much my body has changed. I never thought I would be like this but here I am, trying to be gentle on myself as I also size up my next jeans. But honestly women's bodies are fucking amazing and I hate that we should be made to feel ashamed of everything we have done with them.
I also feel like all I remember is my mum and her friends talking about their bodies, dieting , etc etc and I don't want to be like that!
You’re f***ing fearless Lucinda. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for even recognising the NEED to write this. And for us to see this. This struck so many chords deep within me. If it wasn’t 4 degrees right now I might just “wear the damn bikini…!!” ♥️
Thank you for your vulnerability in this post, as someone who hasn't had a baby yet and is constantly realizing there is yet another thing I didn't know as I navigate my TTC journey, these types of posts are so helpful to me. You are beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing! When I look at you I see a beautiful woman, which I know isn’t the point, but it helps me feel better about the changes in myself
Exactly! Amazingly too, I'm still not someone that focuses too much on looks and even I feel this way... can't imagine the hard time some people give themselves based on their upbringing!
I think you've perfectly described why it's hard to accept because until we're in postpartum ourselves, we've never seen an honest portrayal of a postpartum body. One reason is because the images we see on instagram tagged #postpartumbody are more often than not, new mums in active wear. There's a study lead by researcher Megan Gow that looks at these images and how detrimental they are to a maternal mental health in postpartum. This feeds into the fact that by 4 months postpartum, close to 70% of mothers are dieting (pp is also a high-risk time for eating disorder relapse). What we're not talking about enough is how long birth recovery takes, especially in regard to how the body functions. Anyway, could go on, have spent the past few years researching postpartum, so full of anger and facts. ha! x
OMG I just checked that hashtag and you're right! I had NO idea about that dieting statistic, at four months postpartum! That seems wild to me, but not surprise really given the message that the media still pushes. Thanks as always for your incredible insight. X
It also directly informs milk supply, and low milk supply is one of the top reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding. Of course it’s all connected, but there’s also so little evidence-based information out there x
I know this article was about the postpartum belly in particular, but I have to tell you that when I looked at those pictures my first thought was: gosh, she’s so beautiful.
It’s funny, my mum and I were talking about this yesterday: one of her friends has gone through 3 big losses in the past 6 months and has gained a lot of weight. She confessed it to my mum and said “well now that I’ve told you I don’t feel so embarrassed to see you” and my mums reply was “I don’t think I would have noticed, I see your heart when I see you.”
(Sorry! This is such a long reply) I just wanted to say 1) thank you for sharing this vulnerable thing and 2) most of the people who know you - or who even don’t - probably don’t notice your body. They see your heart, your smile, your energy and the way you love your children.
Absolutely LOVE this take! We often talk about this on the pod. Everyone is too worried about themselves to be worried about how you look and we do tend to see the beauty in others! Love this reminder x
Oooft this speaks to my soul. Despite how many times I repeat 'you were your kids first home', I too am surprised and disappointed about how much I care about how much my body has changed. I never thought I would be like this but here I am, trying to be gentle on myself as I also size up my next jeans. But honestly women's bodies are fucking amazing and I hate that we should be made to feel ashamed of everything we have done with them.
I also feel like all I remember is my mum and her friends talking about their bodies, dieting , etc etc and I don't want to be like that!
Bloody hell, we should all wear the damn bikinis!
Adore this. WEAR THE DAMN BIKINI!
Let's start a revolution
I’m in
Thank you for sharing this! I felt this on every level 💖💖
So glad you liked it <3
You’re f***ing fearless Lucinda. Thank you for writing this. Thank you for even recognising the NEED to write this. And for us to see this. This struck so many chords deep within me. If it wasn’t 4 degrees right now I might just “wear the damn bikini…!!” ♥️
You're the best. Let's have that pub meet up and wear a damn bikini x
Thank you for your vulnerability in this post, as someone who hasn't had a baby yet and is constantly realizing there is yet another thing I didn't know as I navigate my TTC journey, these types of posts are so helpful to me. You are beautiful!!
I'm so glad! And for all the shade that we share, there's so much light, I promise x
Thank you for your vulnerability. I felt this on a deep level!
I'm so glad xx
this is so lovely. thank you.
You're so welcome x
Thank you for sharing! When I look at you I see a beautiful woman, which I know isn’t the point, but it helps me feel better about the changes in myself
So true, while I feel awkward you even giving me that compliment, it's a nice reminder of all of us that the people hardest on us are ourselves. X
Love the line “no part of me is unmarked by motherhood”. It’s all so true and it’s why the term bounce back bod should be banned!
ABSOLUTELY! Someone told me they heard it mentioned on ABC Radio just yesterday!
Yikes. Oh how better women would be supported if society focussed less on that and more on postpartum support
Exactly! Amazingly too, I'm still not someone that focuses too much on looks and even I feel this way... can't imagine the hard time some people give themselves based on their upbringing!