Life update: me after having kids
One thing about becoming a mom that they don’t tell you about is how hard it is to love your body after childbirth. (Hell it is hard to love your body period)
Not everyone “snaps back”, not everyone can hit the gym religiously, not everyone can eat the right things, get enough sleep or drink enough water for that matter. All my life I’ve struggled with body confidence and having kids definitely did not help. I’m here to tell you that you are not alone, there are women who feel the exact same way you do. I feel the exact same way.
Whenever I start to “hate” my body I remind myself that my body gave life to two beautiful children and yes it’s hard to believe myself when I say it. So if no one has told you recently , you are beautiful, you are amazing and you are perfect the way you are! 🫶🏻 #loveyourbody #mombodypositive
I remember standing in front of the mirror after my first baby, feeling like my body had gone through a beautiful, yet bewildering, transformation. My hips, in particular, felt wider, almost as if they'd permanently settled into a new, more expansive shape. Before pregnancy, I’d scrolled through countless 'hips before and after pregnancy pictures' online, some showing incredible 'snapbacks,' others more realistic. But seeing those images never quite prepared me for the reality of my own post-baby hips. It's easy to get caught in that comparison trap, isn't it? We see one perfect image and suddenly feel like our own journey is somehow less valid, less beautiful. For me, that shift in my hips was a constant reminder of how incredibly hard my body had worked. Hormones like relaxin, essential for childbirth, loosen ligaments throughout our bodies, including around the pelvis. This natural process helps make room for baby, but for many of us, it means our hips might retain a slightly wider set even after birth. It's not just about weight; it's a structural change, a beautiful re-engineering. Emotionally, this can be a real rollercoaster. Some days, I’d embrace my new curves, feeling powerful and maternal. Other days, I’d struggle to fit into old clothes, leading to frustration and self-doubt. The pressure to 'bounce back' is immense, especially when social media often presents an unrealistic view of motherhood. Learning to navigate these changes meant shifting my perspective entirely. Instead of constantly scrutinizing my hips and wishing for a 'before' picture, I started focusing on gratitude. My body carried and nurtured life! What an incredible feat. I found immense comfort in connecting with other moms who shared similar experiences. Hearing their stories made me realize I wasn't alone. We all have our own 'after' stories, and none are less valid than another. Practically, this meant a few things for me. First, I stopped trying to squeeze into old clothes. Investing in comfortable, well-fitting clothes that celebrated my current shape made a huge difference to my confidence. It's amazing how much better you feel when you're not constantly tugging or adjusting. Second, I focused on gentle movement, not to 'fix' my hips, but to strengthen my core and pelvic floor. Postnatal yoga and long walks became my allies, helping me feel strong and capable in my body, rather than just focusing on its appearance. Ultimately, the journey of accepting my hips after pregnancy has been about self-compassion. It’s about looking at my reflection and seeing not just wider hips, but the strength, resilience, and love they represent. Every stretch mark, every curve, tells a chapter of my unique motherhood story. So, if you're navigating your own 'after pregnancy' body, especially those hip changes, remember that your body is magnificent. Celebrate its power, cherish its changes, and know that you are beautiful, just as you are.