An open letter to my postpartum body

As I stand here, I can’t help but be thankful for the sweet life that you carried within my womb, yet I’m also holding onto frustration and disappointment. I miss the body that I used to have - tanned and toned, well rested and vibrant. I feel disappointment for my squishy midsection and stretch marks that remind me I haven’t gotten my “body back.” I feel stuck. I’m holding onto the idealized body I had before I carried my sweet babies, before the marks of motherhood were forever etched on my body.

I can create space for these hard feelings: Disappointment. Sadness. Disgust. Avoidance. Looking in the mirror at my postpartum body can feel really heavy and hard. While I look in the mirror longer I am aware of additional thoughts and feelings: Life. Hope. Joy. Strength. Endurance. Laughter. I give myself permission for mourning what once was, while also creating space for for love, acceptance, and gratitude for my new reality - the squishy midsection and sweet baby that I’m holding onto.

My body is STRONG. She helped me nourish and grow my sweet babies until they were born.

My body is RESILIENT. After the intensity of labor and birth, I was able to snuggle and care for my newborn baby.

My body is CAPABLE. I am able to provide for my needs and my child’s needs. I am able to do what is required and find strength in asking for help from my community.

As moms we need to nurture ourselves so we can nurture our young. Let us remember what our bodies need: My body needs rest. My body needs fuel. My body needs love.

The way we think about, care for, and honor our postpartum bodies matters. Here’s to acknowledging the hard and creating space to find joy in the way our children change us.

All my best,

Dr. Kara