But something in her post caught my eye. It was a request for other fat pregnant women to post bare belly photos. One picture came to mind. It is a photo I requested my husband take because of how funny Sasha was in it. However, when I later saw the photo I was mortified. My one month postpartum belly disgusted me in the photo. So I haven't shared it. The photo isn't really about my body but my sharing it has more to do with refusing to censor ourselves based on our appearance. This is what some (at least *my*) postpartum bellies look like. I hope you enjoy this photo and I hope my post... reads as supportive as it is meant to be.
 Sasha, having nursed herself to sleep, wiggled down into a comfy spot on Mommy's squishy belly. This is roughly one month postpartum. |
 Full Term Bare Pregnant BellyPhoto was taken the day before Sasha was born. |
Be proud of your body! It does amazing things! Mommas, be proud of the fact that your body created, labored, and delivered a human being! Wear those stretch marks like badges of honor, battle scars. I know I'm proud of mine and I have them EVERYwhere!
I definitely read it as supportive! And that is an adorable pose that Sasha's in. :) I think that's one of those things, that we want/expect our bodies to look like the airbrushed and toned ones we see flaunted in the media, but there is beauty in squishiness and stretch marks, too. There is strength in sharing our photos of what "real" bodies look like, so thank you for sharing yours.
ReplyDeleteP.S. You have an adorable pregnant belly, too!
Thanks, Lauren! I was most worried about offending, that seems to be my hang-up when any of my friends discuss their weight issues. I don't generally see people I know as fat. (Alright, in all honesty, I don't see them as fat unless/until they're candidates for gastric bypass surgery.)
ReplyDeleteI try to be comfortable in my own skin, but I have my own hangups, too. I don't expect to look airbrushed, but I wish I didn't have saddle bags. My new husband never fails to make me feel attractive, though, and I think that is the most wonderful thing!
Great post, as usual. You know I have my own hang ups, so I don't have much of anything to add to the conversation... but I enjoy reading, as always!
ReplyDeleteOh! And I forgot to say that I've given you the stylish blogger award, if you want to participate, you can come and pick it up here: http://mrsbyn.blogspot.com/2011/02/stylish-blogger-award.html
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Hobo Mama, and I have to say I really respect and admire you for posting that picture of yourself after giving birth. I think there is nothing disgusting about it, and I think it shows that not just women with weight problems are self-conscious about their bodies. Thank you for posting it!:)
Thanks so much, Heidi! I loved the shot of my baby and I finally got the push I needed to share it. :-)
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