This New Mum's Photos Show the REAL Evolution of a Post-Baby Body

It’s pretty much a given that you’re not going to look exactly like your pre-pregnancy self right after popping out a baby. After all, your uterus takes time to shrink back down to size. Still, it can be a hard pill to swallow.

That’s why Australian fitness influencer Revie Jane Schulz is opening up about her journey to love her post-baby body. Revie gave birth to her daughter Lexington five months ago, and was pretty open about not feeling amazing about her body when Lexington was 6 weeks old.

“I’ve found myself several times looking down at my belly,” she wrote on Instagram at the time. “I caught myself feeling sad when clutching the loose skin that was once tight, unmarked, and toned. I tried to embrace and remind myself what it was all for but am left feeling so self-conscious. I kept telling myself, ‘you knew it wouldn’t be back to normal straight away, give it time,’ but it was still a shock and I do get upset about it.”

It's been 6 weeks since I had my little Lexington and without contest, it has been my biggest blessing in life. Being her mother is and will be my greatest accomplishment. I post on the daily about how much I adore her and how happy I am, but there are other sides to becoming a mother that I think are really important to speak out about. I’ve found myself several times looking down at my belly. I caught myself feeling sad when clutching the loose skin that was once tight, unmarked and toned. I tried to embrace and remind myself what it was all for but am left feeling so self conscious. I kept telling myself “you knew it wouldn’t be back to normal straight away, give it time,” but it was still a shock and I do get upset about it. And that is perfectly okay. Being in my profession, I used to live in a sports bras and shorts, I wondered ‘Will I ever have the confidence to do that again? I was confused because I felt like I was being ungrateful and vein. But how is suppressing feelings of sadness and insecurity going to work out for me? Trying to undermine those feelings can cause big problems in the future. When speaking to other Mum friends about it, they agreed that they felt like they were the only ones because its not often talked about. So, yes I have never been happier and yes I have a healthy, beautiful baby but that shouldn't mean I bottle up these feelings. I can honestly say, each week, it does get better. I remember thinking ‘Is this forever?’ I have seen so many changes already and am starting to feel content again! Will my body ever be the same? No it probably won’t be and I’ve learnt it will be better in other ways. If you have been following me, you would know I am totally in a love fest over my darling girl, but we gotta look after ourselves too. We’ve all made our sacrifices and each of us are entitled to feel. The best bit of advice. Look. Look at what you created! At any moment, I look at Lexi and happiness washes over me. My body is amazing. So is yours xo For my top tips on positive body image post bub I posted them on my Facebook Page (link in bio) x #postpartumbody #bodyimage

A post shared by REVIE JANE (@reviejane) on May 25, 2016 at 4:59pm PDT

But four months later, Revie is feeling way more optimistic. Now about five months postpartum, Revie says, “The female body is seriously amazeballs,” she wrote in the caption. “I STILL can’t believe I grew a human, the sweetest little human I could have ever dreamed up—baked for 41 weeks and 3 days right there in my belly.”

This photo makes me realize 2 things- {1} the female body is seriously amazeballs and {2} Damn! I got some good wear out of these togs ???These 3 photographs taken at 21 weeks, 37 weeks and baby girl Lexington is 5 months old. I STILL cant believe I grew a human, the sweetest little human I could have ever dreamed up- Baked for 41 weeks and 3 days right there in my belly. ?? I remember just after having Lex I still looked about 6 months pregnant ? it was such a shock. Despite trying to convince myself that it will go back down, inside I believed my tummy would stay that way forever. It took a good 3 months for my pouch to start shrinking again. But it does shrink back down, I promise. In hindsight, yes, a bit of patience would have come in handy ? but that has never been my strong suit. For a trip down memory lane, ?? #reviejanesbump

A post shared by REVIE JANE (@reviejane) on Sep 27, 2016 at 2:56am PDT

She says she’s learned that patience is key when it comes to post-baby bodies. “I remember just after having Lex I still looked about six months pregnant,” she wrote. “Despite trying to convince myself that it will go back down, inside I believed my tummy would stay that way forever…In hindsight, yes, a bit of patience would have come in handy.”

She also offered these words of wisdom to new moms: “It took a good three months for my pouch to start shrinking again. But it does shrink back down, I promise.” #Preach.

Source: Women’s Health

Source: Read Full Article