Society tends to want to look at a sanitized, ‘perfect’ version of reality on social media. However, life is anything but. And if you want the truth, the real truth, you’ve got to be prepared to see all the various shades of it without shying away.
American author, motivational speaker, and body positivity advocate January Harshe created the Take Back Postpartum page as a way to show the reality of giving birth and life after pregnancy. The raw photos and candid stories are a true testament to the strength of women, their unwavering love for their children, and the relationship that they have with their bodies after giving birth. Truth is beautiful. And Take Back Postpartum doesn’t shy away from this. Not from the scars. Nor from the postpartum bellies.
Take a look at the powerful stories about pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum life, as shared by the Take Back Postpartum project on Instagram. Meanwhile, when you’re done reading the article, we invite you to take a look at Bored Panda’s earlier post about the project right over here.
#21
“And...so... I guess this is postpartum too. Fever/chills/almost passing out last night lead to a diagnosis of mastitis. When I called back this morning a different doctor told me to go in to the ER for further testing. They don’t really know why my WBCs are at 28,000, so they’re treating me for sepsis, uterine infection AND mastitis. And, I had to take my 10 day old nursling. Today has been stressful AF.”
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46points
#22
Well, if this isn’t post-partum in a nutshell... Actually, this is just #motherhood. Welcome to eating your meals wherever you can get them.
Just wanna give a shout out to the moms eating their meals on the go while driving kids to and from ALL the activities
The moms like me hovered over the kitchen counter eating cold leftovers while nursing a hungry, fussy baby.
The #teacher moms eating in a classroom while simultaneously helping a student.
The health care worker #moms eating hospital peanut butter and graham crackers for yet another meal.
The moms too busy too find time to eat at all.
And all the other moms in between. Wherever you’re eating or not eating today, I see you and you’re doing a good job. As I was shoveling cold pasta down my gullet, I was reminded that everyday we prioritize the needs of others over our own. That’s wonderful and just what we do as moms often without any thought. The least we can do for ourselves at the end of the day is to take a minute, look in the mirror and say “I’m a good mom.” No ifs, ands or buts, just “I’m a good mom, period
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46points
#23
Double tap if you know this scene all too well.
My body language says it all, looking down at the scale (the stupid scale!) and being disappointed in the number I see.
The moment I brought it home I cursed myself. Why did it even matter? What had motivated me to tie my worth to some arbitrary number on a scale? _ As a former athlete and someone who always had a size 6/8 body, learning to love my new curvy, size 12 self isn't always easy. I'm beyond proud of my body and what its done yet I still can't always fully embrace the figure staring back at me in the mirror. _ The truth is, it's not always easy accepting and embracing our bodies after having children. Things have shifted and changed and for many, may never be the same again. But maybe that's ok, maybe we're not supposed to be the same as we were before. I've said it before and I'll keep saying it again and again, especially on my low days. _ We.are.more.than.a.number.on.a.scale. We are beautiful. We are powerful. We are mothers.
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44points
#24
Postpartum bellies are one of my favorite things... The physical remnants of the life it was just growing. Still enlarged, yet vacant.
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Organs that made room for baby finding their way back to their original positions, creating the feeling of phantom kicks as if little feet were still inhabiting that space.
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They are miraculous, yet forgotten as the being they housed has since moved out and become the center of attention.
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Organs that made room for baby finding their way back to their original positions, creating the feeling of phantom kicks as if little feet were still inhabiting that space.
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They are miraculous, yet forgotten as the being they housed has since moved out and become the center of attention.
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41points
#25
When we only see certain types of post natal bodies it makes only one type of body feel acceptable to society. Which means the vast majority of us slump off in our PJS and baggy clothes when we still look 7 months pregnant after baby.
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My body worked bloody hard to grow a baby for 9months and it’s going to continue working hard to look after a newborn. No pressure over here to fit back into my pre pregnancy jeans and I’m going to celebrate that with this photo of me rocking my best bod.
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Tena pants, a wobbly belly and all that’s in between, women’s bodies are pretty amazing!”
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My body worked bloody hard to grow a baby for 9months and it’s going to continue working hard to look after a newborn. No pressure over here to fit back into my pre pregnancy jeans and I’m going to celebrate that with this photo of me rocking my best bod.
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Tena pants, a wobbly belly and all that’s in between, women’s bodies are pretty amazing!”
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40points
#26
This is #postpartum and this is A-OK by me. I think the biggest thing moms can offer each other is to lovingly and honestly share our stories. The days after giving #birth have been largely hidden away from public sharing until recently, and I think that may be because there’s an implication that the image of my still pregnant-looking stomach and gauze undies and medical pads might be too much to handle or not pleasing to see. I want to change that narrative. The stretch marks that cascade across my lower stomach are truly one of my favorite parts about my body now. And my mom bod - exactly as it is - serves as a constant reminder of a moment in time when I vulnerably grew. When I lovingly expanded. When I courageously allowed. And when I easily softened. I find my current size and shape to be utterly beautiful. I find it worthy of every ounce of love this world has to offer. I probably find it more attractive and incredible and sexy and awesome than any other human being will. Which is the goal, mamas. My deepest hope for every single mom - and woman - is to feel as much joy, peace of mind, and admiration for their own bodies as I do for mine. It’s taken over two years of hard work to get to this mental and emotional place. And it has been every bit worth it. New moms, seasoned veterans, and every single mother in between - let’s all continue telling a different version of the story society likes to dictate to us about the postpartum experience. Let’s rise up in our narrative of how we feel about the physical homes that have made miracles happen. Let’s fight back with full acceptance and adoration for ourselves. Because we are amazing.
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39points
#27
Exercise and eat healthy during pregnancy they say. That way your body will bounce back. Yeah right! ⠀ ⠀
First of all, I hate that this is focused towards the way we look. Exercising and being healthy during pregnancy are important for our baby’s and our health. Not just to have a certain body⠀ ⠀
Second, it’s not a guarantee that our bodies won’t be affected. This was me at 38 weeks pregnant. I followed all the guidelines for a healthy pregnancy and still was left with a forever changed body ⠀
But if I could go back and tell something to my 25-year-old pregnant self would be this: ⠀ ⠀
“Make it a priority to find good prenatal physical training. You may think is not necessary but it is. From teaching you how to move with a heavy belly without putting so much pressure on your muscles, to teaching you how to breathe and push when the time comes. IT’S WORTH IT⠀ ⠀
Ask questions, and don’t take your OB/GYN answer as the last word. Unfortunately most are not trained to help you. At least the two I’ve had weren’t. ⠀ ⠀
A few stretch marks are normal, but if you get to a point where you can’t count them anymore, be prepared for a hard postpartum time. That’s a big sign that you are likely to have a severe diastasis and need help to have a strong body again I know you’re beyond excited to be a mom, but don’t forget about you. It’s ok to not buy one more unnecessary thing for your baby so you can pay someone to help you figure all this out Always remember to take care of yourself first so you can take the best care of your baby Last, you’re gorgeous and your body is amazing doesn’t matter how it looks”⠀ ⠀
This is part of my story and as you can see I focused so much on my baby that I though it was selfish/ unnecessary to do something for me. The lack of information didn’t help either. ⠀ ⠀
What would you say to your pregnant self about taking care of her body?
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38points
#28
| Taken 3 days postpartum |
I’m not going to share how little or how much weight I gain during pregnancy, I’m not going to talk about how slow or fast I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and I’m not going to reveal at what point I’m able to fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Why?
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Because weight gain alone is not a definitive marker of anything during pregnancy nor do I believe it to always be 100% in your control.
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Because I don’t want to add to the pressure our culture puts on mothers to be/look a certain way during such an extreme transformation (whether intentional or not).
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And most importantly, because I don’t want to reduce the beautiful miracle of creating, growing and birthing new life to a number on the scale.
I’m not going to share how little or how much weight I gain during pregnancy, I’m not going to talk about how slow or fast I get back to my pre-pregnancy weight, and I’m not going to reveal at what point I’m able to fit back into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Why?
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Because weight gain alone is not a definitive marker of anything during pregnancy nor do I believe it to always be 100% in your control.
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Because I don’t want to add to the pressure our culture puts on mothers to be/look a certain way during such an extreme transformation (whether intentional or not).
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And most importantly, because I don’t want to reduce the beautiful miracle of creating, growing and birthing new life to a number on the scale.
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37points
#29
This was my tummy yesterday at 2 days post partum. I feel like this time round I’m not in as much of a rush to get my body back. I am much happier just resting and recovering. Maybe it’s because it’s my last baby or maybe because I really fully appreciate what our bodies go through during labour as this one was a lot quicker and more intense. I know lots of you said how amazing I looked during labour and afterwards, and thank you for those messages, but this is still the reality of a post partum body for most women and I’m no different!
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35points
#30
We’re surviving
Tired
Sore
No makeup
Unwashed hair
Messy bedroom
Sexy bottoms over my post partum belly
A not so happy Molls
And honestly feeling pretty dang good We’ve felt so much more confident and at ease this time around and I am just taking one day at a time. Rollin with the punches and keeping a smile on my face
Sore
No makeup
Unwashed hair
Messy bedroom
Sexy bottoms over my post partum belly
A not so happy Molls
And honestly feeling pretty dang good We’ve felt so much more confident and at ease this time around and I am just taking one day at a time. Rollin with the punches and keeping a smile on my face
Thank you again for everyone praying for this transition. I’ve truly felt it.
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34points
