Pregnancy and childbirth definitely take their toll on our bodies. We go through so many changes with every week of our pregnancy, and the ultimate transformation during labor and delivery. I mean, we create something, starting with just cells, turning it into a brand new life. It is pretty spectacular, but it really leaves its mark on our bodies and our health.
We new Moms definitely have some mixed feelings about our new Mom bodies. I thought I would share mine.
Things I hate about my new Mom body:
- My jiggly middle section is… jiggly. My clothes don’t fit right. But, the stretch marks are a badge of honor to remind me what my body can do. I mean, it’s not as if I’m wearing bikinis ever anyway.
- The fatigue, the constant never-ending fatigue! The dark circles under my eyes. Ugh.
- Super dry skin, and, well everything else.
- My plantar fasciitis has returned. Poor feeties.
- I have become a light sleeper. It sucks to wake at every little noise. And not be able to get back to sleep quickly.
Things I love about my new Mom body:
- It grew and gave birth to a human!
- It can produce some nourishment for said human.
- How strong it has become – I used to struggle to lift a 14-pound bag of cat litter, and now I can sling around my 20-pound baby with one arm.
- How much it can accomplish on little sleep and still function at work and while taking care of a tiny human.
- My hair is still thick and full and my nails are strong since I’m still taking prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding.
What do you love/hate about your body? I’d love to hear and support fellow new moms since this journey is full of wonders and lots of learning new lessons along the way.
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Tina Holmes says
We women are amazballs, seriously we are superheroes.
Julie says
Yes! We totally are :)
A Cornish Mum says
It is pretty amazing what our bodies can do! My boys are older, but are any of us ever completely happy with our bodies with or without having given birth?! I try to concentrate on the bits I do like :)
Stevie x #TenThings
Julie says
You’re so right that we’re never happy with our bodies even before being moms – we women have a lot of body issues. Very important to concentrate on what we do like about ourselves. Thanks Stevie :)
LadyNicci says
I really struggled with the Mom body! It all changed so quickly. On one hand I was trying to be sensible and think about the amazing feat I’d just achieved, but on the other hand, I felt like I’d lost my whole identity/ self / who was I in this Mom body?? Thankfully, a year later, things are starting to return to normal now. And with a bit of effort, I might even end up looking better. *lives in hope. **delusional
Julie says
I’m far from returning to the way I was before, but I’ll live in hope with you that we can both make that goal a reality :)
Emma's Mamma says
I totally agree with this! For every negative there is a positive! Lovely post! #TenThings
Julie says
Thanks :) it is good to remember that everything is in some kind of balance with something else.
Jebbica says
Julie,
I love this! Thanks for being honest and sharing. I would love if you would stop by and share this with my readers on #FoodandFitnessFriday! Every Friday other bloggers stop by to share their health-related posts and recipes. This would be an awesome addition!
Julie says
Ooh thanks for the invitation, I’ll link up to the most recent one (went out of town, finally catching up on comments).
Jebbica says
Thanks for sharing on #FoodandFitnessFriday!
Something Crunchy Mummy says
Great list, I too hate my jiggly bits but then look at my boys and think ‘I grew you!’ I think there is so much pressure on mums to have the ‘perfect’ body but what is that body? It’s perfect to us #thelist xx
Julie says
Agreed – it is perfect to us and creates miracles. So, let’s embrace the jiggly.
Carly aka mummy says
Its amazing what the human body can do (in particular, women’s bodies). Can’t say I enjoy the wobble though lol.
Julie says
Yea, the wobble isn’t so great, but we’re still awesome despite that heh.
Angela Gilmore says
I’m right there with you on all of these (except I’ve never had plantar fasciitis, I’ve heard it’s no fun though)! Sometimes I catch myself in the mirror and marvel at what my body has done, even if it’s a little stretched out and a lot mushier than it was. It really does make me feel like a superwoman! I’ve never worn a bikini in my adult life, but I actually considered doing it now that I have this two-time mom body! Don’t know if I’ll actually go through with it though.
Julie says
I figure the stretch marks don’t tan anyway so a bikini would just cause a strange tan line heh
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
My kids are older now (12, 10, & 7) but I remember trying to adjust to my new body after giving birth to them. it changes you for sure – inside and out!
Julie says
Yes, inside and out is a great way to describe it :)
Dana says
Yes, there is much to love and not love about a new mom body, but it goes with the territory, right? And that fatigue won’t last forever!
Julie says
Heh, yea it definitely goes with the territory. Glad to hear the fatigue goes away at some point. :)
Stacey Gannett says
They always say that it takes 9 months to make a baby and 9 months for the body to find some normalcy. Of course, I am still waiting and my youngest is twelve, but I have not worked that hard it. Great post and hope you have an amazing week!
Julie says
It has been about 9 months, and while things have gotten easier on me, I’m nowhere near the healthy level I was pre-baby. Easier said than done huh? I haven’t worked at it too much either, so I might in the same boat 12 years later ha :)
Rabia @TheLiebers says
Motherhood changes our bodies in so many ways! Some good, some not so good. All of those changes take some time to adjust to. Being a new mom is hard work!
Julie says
That, it most definitely is! Thanks Rabia :)