Embracing your Postpartum Body

Bodily Changes After Pregnancy

The Mulligrubs: The thing my mother has been warning me about for many, many years. The squishy, scarred skin on your stomach, with lumps, and grumps, and general displeasure. Generally happens after you've had a baby.

I gained 30lbs through the pregnancy of my daughter and am now 10lbs under my pre-pregnancy weight; my stomach shows this progression. 
I now have the mulligrubs.

My stomach has never been flat, will never be flat, and I've never truly been happy with my body. Some days, when I catch my image in the mirror, and think how could anyone my age possibly find me attractive looking like THIS, it can be really difficult to not think: I'm ruined. But then my baby crawls over, pulls up on my leg, and gives me a hug; I'm reminded that in a way, my body is not my own anymore.
Through pregnancy, nursing, snuggles, and hugs, my body has made itself perfect. 

With my grubs, came a type of peace with my self-image. I carried my baby nine long months. I felt my skin break when she stretched and kicked. I felt my body make room and adjust around her. I earned my Tiger Stripes. 

My marks are almost completely faded, my daughter isn't on me quite so much, but my mulligrubs remain and will get worse when we decide to have another baby. I think I'm ok with that. I'd sacrifice anything for my children, especially something as insubstantial as the idolized perception of how a woman should look. 

7 Months Postpartum