Mum Reveals Honest Truth About Postpartum Bodies To Help Others

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A mum has shared a very real look at what a postpartum body looks like, and it’s far from what we are used to seeing on social media.

Mum Ruth Lee hopes her story helps anyone else struggling with body image after birth. 

“I’m posting this tonight with tears in my eyes. I can’t help it,” she begins her post. “What brings me to Instagram tonight, is the post-baby.”

I'm posting this tonight with tears in my eyes. I can't help it. The pregnancy and birth of my little girl was the most amazing thing I've ever been a part of. Some people don't want kids, and I respect that. Really, I do. But for me, You see, I always have. When it finally happened though, it was so hard to fully comprehend. Pregnancy and babies, I mean that's common. It's everywhere. But when it's YOUR body and YOUR baby, it's so different. You literally feel like it's a miracle. Because, when it happens to you, it is. What brings me to Instagram tonight, is the post-baby. I followed SO many pregnant models during my pregnancy. And when they photographed themselves pool-side 5 minutes postpartum, I thought, "wow! I hope that happens to me!" I was 25 when I gave birth. I was healthy. I was young. I stayed active during my pregnancy. I took the best prenatals, went to the gym, used every kind of stretch mark prevention you could think of. I took hours of birthing classes, read every book under the sun, and studied natural childbirth my whole pregnancy. I STILL ended up with a traumatic labor, cesarean section, scars, stretch marks, and unfortunately the inability to breastfeed long term. I took this picture a few days after I gave birth, when my PPD really first reared its head into my life. I took this and actually was horrified. I couldn't believe it was me. I'm sharing it because I know in my heart that there are people out there that struggle with inadequacy. That might think they are not beautiful, that they might be ruined, less worthy, or not good enough. Yours might not actually be physical scars, but maybe, a failed relationship, a difficulty in your career, a mental struggle, money issues, or just feeling lost in life. Be kind to yourself. And know that you are not alone. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don't let social media taint your view of what is beautiful, what is REAL. And above all, know that if you are struggling, I am here. I have an open inbox or (if you actually know me) an open door. #stopcensoringmotherhood #nofilter

A post shared by Ruth Lee (@baybayruth) on

While Lee’s pregnancy and the birth of her daughter “was the most amazing thing” she’s been a part of, she says her post-baby body “horrified” her.

“I was 25 when I gave birth. I was healthy. I was young. I stayed active during my pregnancy. I took the best prenatals, went to the gym, used every kind of stretch mark prevention you could think of. I took hours of birthing classes, read every book under the sun, and studied natural childbirth my whole pregnancy, she said.

#takingbackpostpartum Two days PP on the left, One Month PP on the right. YES, I had ALREADY given birth in the picture on the left. ? My body was still so swollen from the anesthetics and large amounts of IV fluids. I could barely stand up. I was heavily bleeding (Presley wasn't the only one in diapers!). I had a fresh incision- my insides cut open and my baby ripped away from me… a labor & delivery that my months of reading and research never prepared me for. I was in more physical and mental pain than I had ever been in my life. Yet, I remember taking that picture and thinking, I am a bad ass!!! Really. ? I was so utterly grateful that Presley ended up being OK. I had my healthy, chunky babe. Truly, that was the only thing that mattered. And in labor, she was my entire focus. I was able to face all the scary parts without fear for myself, and do what had to be done. I didn't look aesthetically pleasing that day, and I still am no where near "pre-baby" bod. But that's ok. I have stretch marks that I like more & more each day. As weird as that sounds. To me, they remind me of how strong I really am. As Amy Adams said, "Being pregnant finally helped me understand what my true relationship was with my body – meaning that it wasn't put on this earth to look good in a swimsuit." ✌?✌?️✌?️ #fourthtrimester #postpartum #postbaby #momlife #csection #onemonthpostpartum #strongwomen #4thtrimester

A post shared by Ruth Lee (@baybayruth) on

Despite this, things didn’t turn out how she had planned – or like what she had seen on social media. 

“I STILL ended up with a traumatic labour, caesarian section, scars, stretch marks, and unfortunately the inability to breastfeed long term,” Lee said. 

The picture above was taken a few days after Lee gave birth and at the time, she said she couldn’t believe it was her. Now she is sharing her story to remind others not to compare themselves.

“I’m sharing it because I know in my heart that there are people out there that struggle with inadequacy,” she said. “That might think they are not beautiful, that they might be ruined, less worthy, or not good enough.

“Be kind to yourself. And know that you are not alone. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don’t let social media taint your view of what is beautiful, what is REAL.”

This article originally appeared on Practicalparenting.com.au.

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