Photo credit: @thewonderfulmoms (left); @jennysjourney (top middle); @clairecuddles (bottom middle); @sarahsoulfulmom (top right); @amysjourney (bottom right)
I won’t sugarcoat it: When I first caught sight of my postpartum body just days after my first child was born, I was taken aback. My belly hung lower than ever, stretch marks glared at me with their fiery red hue, and the cellulite that had settled comfortably on my thighs during pregnancy showed no signs of disappearing. Simply put, I was shocked.
The overwhelming messages from magazines and celebrity culture led me to believe in the myth of a quick “bounce back” after childbirth. I was terrified about how long this postpartum appearance would linger, and with so many aspects of new motherhood feeling uncontrollable, I didn’t need another thing to add to my worries.
Back then—over a decade ago—there were no social media movements dedicated to sharing postpartum realities. While we often criticize social media for amplifying pressures on new moms, it has its silver linings. The rise of candid, unfiltered images of new mothers allows us to feel less isolated, less ashamed, and, ultimately, more normal.
This is why I was ecstatic to discover the #Celebrating_Postpartum campaign on Instagram, initiated by a mom and photographer named Mia Roberts. The premise is simple: share an authentic photo of your postpartum body and honor the incredible journey of motherhood.
Mia’s call to action was beautifully encapsulated in her empowering Instagram post, where she shared her own postpartum experience. “Today, I’m thrilled to share my passion project—celebrating our postpartum bodies!” she wrote. Mia openly discussed her challenges and victories as a mom of three, including the twin girls featured in her photo. “Embracing these changes hasn’t been easy, but it’s been a profoundly empowering mental journey,” she shared. “The excess skin, the stretch marks, the diastasis recti—they are part of who I am. I’m embracing and celebrating this physical journey of motherhood!”
The hashtag quickly gained traction, with hundreds of mothers joining in to share their own breathtaking stories and images, showcasing the beautiful truths of postpartum bodies. The rawness of these photos and the accompanying words are poignant reminders of the strength and resilience of motherhood.
Many mothers, like @jessicacreates, shared images of their postpartum bellies adorned with their children. “My body isn’t magazine-perfect,” she wrote. “But when I look in the mirror, I see a mom. And that’s the greatest honor.”
Others emphasized the significance behind their body transformations. “These marks are reminders of the 40 weeks I carried my baby,” shared @nataliesjourney. “They are battle scars from the labor we fought together.”
Some have candidly expressed the challenges of embracing their new bodies, acknowledging that self-acceptance is a journey. “Dear Stretch Marks,” wrote @mollymama, addressing her postpartum changes, “You might feel ugly and saggy, but you are my reminders of the life I created. You signify hope.”
Ultimately, participating in this movement means sharing your postpartum photos, regardless of the fears or self-doubts that might arise. It’s about refusing to let insecurities hold us back from living fully for ourselves and our children. It’s about rocking that bikini if we choose to and remembering that our babies cherish us, sagging skin and all. To them, we are perfect just the way we are.
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In summary, the #Celebrating_Postpartum movement is a powerful reminder that our bodies tell the incredible story of motherhood, one worthy of celebration and love.
Keyphrase: postpartum body positivity
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