Enough About the Baby by Becky Vieira

Author:Becky Vieira [Vieira, Becky]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Published: 2023-03-07T00:00:00+00:00

It’s not attainable because it’s not real.

I cringe now when I see articles about “post-baby bikini bodies.” After all a woman accomplishes, that is what we focus on? It’s absolutely disgusting. Honestly, it’s as if pregnancy, childbirth, the fourth trimester, and motherhood are downplayed because “everyone” has done it. But it’s new, different, and unique for each one of us. It’s extremely difficult both emotionally and physically.

We should celebrate postpartum women by saying, “You are an amazing warrior; look what you and your body just accomplished!” instead of just nodding an acknowledgment and moving on to the next topic, because childbirth is common. We only seem to cheer for a woman when she can flash six-pack abs soon after giving birth.

I hate that I was never able to enjoy that first family outing for what it was: a milestone with our son. Instead, I was focused on the assumption that I should be wearing my prepregnancy clothes and couldn’t. I loathed myself and felt like a failure. Once again, I found myself asking, Why is this easier for everyone else but not me? I couldn’t see my strength. All I saw was a failure because I was “still” wearing maternity jeans.

But that’s what I didn’t know, time and time again. That it wasn’t easy for anyone. I just never heard it discussed in detail beyond the fact that my stomach wouldn’t be flat immediately after giving birth. Instead, I’d been conditioned to believe that the sheer phenomenon of simply giving birth isn’t enough, that women need to give birth, breastfeed, enter a state of severe sleep deprivation, and be bikini-ready in under a week. In reality, all we need is to be healthy. To celebrate what our bodies have done, not to question the speed at which they recover. And know this: You are perfect. You are enough. You are exactly as you are supposed to be.

There are also plenty of women who do experience a quick return to their prepregnancy bodies. They aren’t starving themselves or defying doctor’s orders by working out while bleeding; it’s just natural for them. Genetics, hormones, whatever it may be. That is their normal. And guess what? These women are shamed as well. People look at them like they did something criminal in order to look that way.

We can’t win. Either way, your body will be questioned.

I know I may be making it seem as if you will undergo some massive physical change after you give birth, like growing a third arm. And while an extra arm would be incredibly helpful for moms, that doesn’t happen. Some of the changes are small; in fact, you may be the only person to notice most of them. But together they can feel huge and overwhelming. To make it easier, I’ll literally break them down for you from head to toe.

Hair. Sadly, that thick and luscious hair you’ve been cultivating during your pregnancy won’t last forever. According to Dr. Sterling, around four to five months postpartum it will begin to fall out.

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