Post Partum Body Confidence

I’m back with another body confidence post, these seem to be one of my easier posts to write as it’s more of a rambly stream of consciousness rather than a structured blog post. It’s been nearly two months since I gave birth and I am still trying to learn how to love my postpartum body. Something I didn’t prepare for was how much people would comment on my body after birth, whether its about how much baby weight I have left or if I am exercising and dieting yet – it’s so overwhelming how much my body is commented on. It was bad enough during pregnancy hearing ‘your bumps so big’ ‘are you expecting twins?’ etc etc. Pregnancy is the most amazing yet most difficult thing to put your body through and to be honest I didn’t realise how much you go through before I became pregnant. For 9 months you sacrifice your body and mind to your little baby and as beautiful and rewarding it is, I am struggling with how I look now I am not pregnant.

Do I miss being pregnant? No way. But do I miss my bump? Massively. Although my pregnancy wardrobe wasn’t the most glamorous and carrying around an extra two stone felt impossible at times, I miss how I looked with my bump. I feel like it was the only time in my life where I haven’t had to worry about looking a certain way to fit societies beauty standards. I was allowed to just throw on Harry’s shirt and call it an outfit and scoff that share bar of Galaxy. But now my pre-pregnancy clothes cling to all the wrong areas and as I am scrolling down ASOS desperate to find new clothes, I am discovering that everything is fucking cropped (not good for the mum tum). I am struggling so hard to find what my style is now as my wardrobe consists of t shirts and joggers – does anyone else worry about what the hell we are all going to wear once lockdowns over and loungewear isn’t an option haha?!

Before pregnancy I didn’t love my body, but I certainly didn’t hate it. I now have a jiggly mum tum, saggy boobs, stretch marks on my thighs and I still have some pregnancy weight to drop, in fact I don’t really recognise my body anymore. Although I know I am being stupid, my body was home to my beautiful girl and that will always be my biggest achievement, but it can be so tough liking what is looking back at me in the mirror. To try and pick myself up I have had another Instagram detox and deleted those over edited picture perfect accounts and instead followed those who are realistic and similar to my life. Seeing real pictures of post partum bodies as opposed to airbrushed ones makes me feel so much more confident and accepting of mine. Other things that has helped massively are going on daily walks and spending some time doing self care (when Poppy allows it of course). It’s so important to remember that you are perfect how you are and having down days after birth are so so normal, your body has completely changed, hormones are everywhere and there are so many post partum side effects you never knew about! But it will pass and what you have achieved is just amazing. Give yourself a pat on the back, you are doing great mama.

After speaking to other mums, it’s so reassuring to know I am not the only one who is struggling to love themselves after birth but also so sad to hear that we all beat ourselves up when we have done the most incredible thing. If you are struggling and need someone to talk to then please know my DM’s are open and I am all ears. Thank you all for listening to my ramble and also huge thanks for the love you have been giving me and Poppy – it means the world.

Until next time,

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