Post Baby Body

I want to address this post to all the pregnant women and mommies out there.  I remember reading the below OpEd last summer, after seeing Kate Middleton all aglow -- hair blown out, fully made up in a designer dress and her signature wedge heels -- while introducing the world to Prince George, a mere day after giving birth.  This was before I was pregnant with Emily, yet even to me it seemed unrealistic that someone would, or should, look so "put together" after going through labor and delivery.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joy-gabriel/kate-middleton-and-the-mom-in-the-mirror_b_3672553.html

To my surprise, apparently more people were stunned that she still had a pregnant-looking belly one day postpartum than at the fact that she was made up to look like she was attending a charity luncheon instead of leaving the hospital.  I get that she's a celebrity, but it still surprised me that she didn't take a day off from looking perfectly made up.  I guess I shouldn't be so naive.

Do you want to know what I looked like leaving the hospital?  I had showered, but hadn't washed my hair, which was pulled back into a frizzy ponytail.  I was wearing loose-fitting cropped maternity yoga pants with a ruched t-shirt, under a zipper hoodie.  No make-up whatsoever and huge bags under my eyes from not sleeping for a couple days.  Shep took a photo of me before we left the hospital, which shows me sitting in a wheelchair with an inflatable donut seat between my knees, holding my sweet little baby girl asleep in my arms.  And I had a huge smile on my face.

Here's another great read that I wanted to share:  http://www.momof4istired.com/2013/11/this-blog-is-going-to-embarrass-my.html

Source

Our society is focused way too much on physical appearances, which can make it hard for anyone who feels less than their "best" self, whether it be due to weight, hair color, height, illness, a life-changing event like giving birth, etc.  Giving birth is exactly as the phrase says -- you are bringing another life into this world!  Your body formed, grew, nourished, and then produced another entire human being.  It's pretty remarkable.  It doesn't matter what size your jeans are, that you have some extra weight or stretch marks on you, or some newfound wrinkles or eye bags.  What matters is that you gave life.  Your amazing body did that!

The authors of the above-linked posts did a beautiful job of explaining why mothers should look different than they did before they had their babies, and each story brought tears to my eyes when I first read it.  I hope you'll enjoy reading these viewpoints as well; and for those of you struggling with any self-image issues, I hope these women help you feel better about your perfectly wonderful self!  Your babies love you just the way you are.

So smile your best smile, and don't think twice about what you look like before you get in that photo {click to follow link} with the littlest love(s) of your life!

xo