Feeling comfortable or happy with our body again after becoming mothers it's something that takes time. During pregnancy you are gradually evolving and although your body begins to act in a different way from what you were used to, the impact is not as strong as it is a progressive change.
However, when you have your baby, many things change suddenly. Besides that you no longer have it in your belly and you feel a kind of hollow or empty, the stretch marks seem even more visible, you feel exhausted and above all, your hormones get out of control and your mood becomes a roller coaster.
After becoming mothers, many of us felt as if we were some kind of alien inhabiting another foreign body. I remember feeling like this for a long time after having my daughter. I didn't feel comfortable or pretty and much less sure of myself. One day I took most of my clothes and threw them in bags, I decided that I didn't want her anymore because I looked horrible with her on.
Now, two and a half years after having my daughter, I feel very different. I've learned to love my body, with stretch marks and curves. And although I did not suffer from postpartum depression, I would have liked someone to tell me that my insecurity and the occasional moments of discouragement after having my baby were normal and I would eventually feel better.
That is why I loved the message that a 23-year-old woman named Alexandra, mother of two children aged 18 and 5 months, posted on her Instagram account. Accompanied by a picture of her stomach full of stretch marks after her two pregnancies, Alexandra shares how she felt about her body after having her children and what it took to feel beautiful again after postpartum depression.
Well, I know a lot of you guys are probably thinking 'why would she post this picture', but, it took me 18 months to get here, 18 months to not cry when I look in the mirror, 18 months to finally feel beautiful in my own skin again! No one warns you about the dark sides of motherhood and pregnancy… no one gives you a heads up on how much you change physically and mentally after you become a mother. It's been a long and hard postpartum ride for me… 18 months after my first son and 5 months after my second son I feel like I can finally see the light ✨ and it genuinely feels amazing💖 cheers to you mamas who are battling postpartum depression and still getting up everyday for your children! Cheers to you mamas who still cry about the marks on your skin from birthing your perfect babies! Cheer to motherhood, cheers to knowing that this too shall pass! And things will get better💗 #motherhood #breastmilk #breastfeeding #normalizebreastfeeding #mommyandme #tigerstripes #postpartum #postpartumdepression #babies #mombod #proud #inlove
A photo posted by Alexandra Kilmurray (@alexandrabrea_) on Jan 12, 2017 at 2:59 pm PST
Well, I know that many of you are probably thinking "why would she publish this picture?", But it took me 18 months to get here, 18 months to not cry when I look in the mirror, 18 months to finally feel beautiful on my own skin again! No one warns you about the dark side of motherhood and pregnancy ... nobody tells you how much you are going to change physically and mentally after becoming a mother. It has been a long and difficult postpartum trip for me ... 18 months after my first child and 5 months after the second, I feel I can finally see the light and it truly feels wonderful. Applause to you moms who are struggling with postpartum depression and still get up every day for their children! Applause for you moms who still cry for the marks on their skin after giving birth to perfect babies! Cheers to motherhood, applause to know that this will also happen! And things will get better.
With her publication Alexandra wishes to tell other mothers that they feel the same way she knows they are not alone. "I want other moms to know that postpartum depression and these physical changes can happen to anyone.", he declares for an interview after his photo went viral."I want other moms to know that this is where I am now, but it is not where I started. Do not lose hope".
We live in a time when there are more and more mothers who raise their voices and decide to talk about their postpartum depression problems so that others can receive the help they did not have. Raising awareness about postpartum depression can have a huge impact on future generations..
Enjoy motherhood and feel happy with ourselves It is a key piece to educate our children as safe and positive people. That is why it is important to talk about these issues, so that moms know that they are not alone in that difficult fight against depression and that they can ask for help, that they will not be judged.
Ask for help if you feel sad or alone
Feeling comfortable with your body after pregnancy delivery takes time, but it is something that will definitely happen again. If you feel sad or alone, talk. Either with your partner, with your friends, your doctor or with the person you have the confidence to do so. Do not lock yourself or think that you are a bad mother for not feeling overwhelmed with happiness as a mother. Sometimes those things happen.
Some signs of postpartum depression may be the following:
- You feel overwhelmed by the situation and you can't get out of the state you are in.
- You have negative thoughts about motherhood and your baby.
- You isolate yourself from your surroundings.
- Sudden crises of anguish or crying invade you.
If you have any of these symptoms, do not hesitate to ask for help, either emotional or with housework or taking care of the baby. Lean on your family and your friends, there will undoubtedly be more than one that shakes your hand or is there to listen to you. And as Alexandra says, don't lose hope that everything will improve.
