How to Love Your Postpartum Body
Written by Grace Anyanwu
The way that a baby is formed in a woman’s womb is truly a miracle. With only an egg from a mother and sperm from a father, life is created. The fertilized egg, also known as a zygote, makes its way down the fallopian tube to the uterus. Now a blastocyst, its cells begin to divide and it eventually implants itself into the uterus. Once implanted the newly-formed embryo begins to develop the major parts of the body like the heart, brain, and central nervous system. The fetus continues to develop into a baby, who in the coming months will be ready to meet her/his family!
During 9 months of pregnancy, our bodies go through so many changes. For example, more blood is produced that is needed to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby. Also, the lungs increase their capacity and begin to take in 30 to 40 percent more air with each breath. How amazing is that! God created your body with the capacity to carry, birth, and feed a baby.
Finally, after the wait, which seemed like a lifetime, your baby is born. With all the excitement and joy that comes with a newborn, other things happen as well…like changes in your body – changes that may never go away, changes that last longer than you expect.
Despite this, how can we continue to love ourselves past those changes; past the wrinkly stomach, weight gain, bust transformation, and stretch marks?
Yes, going through pregnancy and delivery, your body will experience a metamorphosis, but I hope that you learn to love your new body and be grateful for it. Today, I want to share with you some tips on how you can learn to love (and adore) your postpartum body.
Give Yourself Time
You should be proud of yourself. You just housed and produced a living being. Wow! It took 9 months for your body to grow a baby in your womb, so you must give yourself at least 9 months for your body to heal. Birthing a child, whether vaginally or via C-section puts a lot of stress on your body. Even if your body does look the same way it did before, always remind yourself of the life that came out of you.
Get Support
Surround yourself with people that will uplift, encourage and inspire you. Millions of other women have experienced what you are going through and, if you are learning to love your body again, they can give you the tools you need to appreciate your body.
Do What Makes You Happy
Go places and find activities that bring you joy. Get your mind off of your current physical situation and think about other things. Self-care is very important; take some time to pour into your spirit and mind, whether by praying, exercising, or doing one of your favorite hobbies.
Buy Clothes That Make You Feel Good
Try your best to get comfortable with the new body you have now. Instead of trying to squeeze into your old clothes, buy yourself a few staple pieces that fit you at the size you are now. It’s amazing how different you look when you’re wearing clothes that flatter you. It can make a major difference.
Always remember that no one is perfect, even the celebrities we see on television and in magazines have most likely been photoshopped or airbrushed. Learn to love the body God gave you.
Motherhood is a journey with many lessons to teach, but no matter where you are in your postpartum journey, always remember the gift that you were given – a gift to cherish, take care of, and love for the rest of your life. The postpartum journey may not be easy, but I believe it is worth it!
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