One mum's beautifully raw pictures show the reality of post-birth bodies

After carrying a baby for nine months, returning to a pre-pregnancy body can be an extremely difficult task. Between weight gain and stretch marks, many woman's body confidence can take a nosedive. 

But mum-of-three, Elise Grossman, is trying to challenge that.

In a beautifully raw photoshoot, just hours of giving birth, Grossman champions her body for its ability "to carry and birth babies naturally" and embraces its "many new stripes". 

 

Let's talk postpartum bodies! I asked @belleverdiglionephotography to take this photo, just hours after giving birth to Willa, in my rawest and most vulnerable state. I was in pain and I was overcome by a flood of emotions. Elated to have welcomed our beautiful girl and so empowered and proud of what my body and I had just done! It's a strange feeling to look down and still see a bump, even though you're holding your baby in your arms, even after doing it three times. It's not easy to go home with a baby and still have to wear maternity clothes. With my first I was adamant I would just "bounce back". Everyone would say "you're young, you'll loose the baby weight in no time!" But you know what, I didn't, I never have in fact. With each baby I've gained a few more kilos and a few more stretch marks. I used to feel the need to cover up in this newborn stage, I didn't want to see my body in this state, so why would anyone else? It's taken me three babies, but I've finally realised this postpartum body isn't something to hide! I am beyond proud for what this body has given and sacralised. I am thankful that my body is able to carry and birth babies naturally. I am NOT ashamed of my (many) new stripes and my postpartum body. And neither should you! Let's celebrate postpartum bodies, in all their glory. The female body is incredible and I am so proud of what mine has done!

A post shared by Formerly eliseraquel (@raisingyoungloves) on Jul 14, 2017 at 3:12am PDT

In her original post, Grossman shares the story behind the picture. The gorgeous photo was taken "just hours after giving birth to Willa, in my rawest and most vulnerable state."

She goes on to further explore the difficulties of postpartum self-image:

"With each baby I've gained a few more kilos and a few more stretch marks. I used to feel the need to cover up in this newborn stage, I didn't want to see my body in this state, so why would anyone else? It's taken me three babies, but I've finally realised this postpartum body isn't something to hide! I am beyond proud for what this body has given and sacralised… I am NOT ashamed of my (many) new stripes and my postpartum body. And neither should you! Let's celebrate postpartum bodies, in all their glory. The female body is incredible and I am so proud of what mine has done!"

 

My post labour photo has been shared a few times on the internet this past week. And although I received a huge amount of support and had so many mothers share their own postpartum stories, I also saw many people question my decision to share such a personal photo publicly on the internet. So I thought I'd explain why. When I was pregnant with Peyton I really had no idea what post birth was really like, and you don't fully understand until you actually have a baby! I was one of the first of my friends to get pregnant, so I didn't have that support group to ask all those TMI questions about pregnancy and birth. My doctor was more concerned about setting a medically unnecessary induction date rather than explaining to me what post birth would be like! No one told me the reality of the fourth trimester. I had no idea you could still look so pregnant even after giving birth. Everyone told me I was young, I would bounce straight back, and I believed them. Just like many women do, I too used to look up to the media, celebrities who would show off their supermodel like post baby bodies just weeks after giving birth! I thought thats how it would be for me too. So when I went home from hospital four days after giving birth, still looking six months pregnant, I thought I must have done something wrong. How come I didn't look like they did post baby? How come I didn't bounce back straight away like everyone said I would? How come it took me a year to fit back into my pre baby jeans? Well, because for many women, and for me, this post baby picture that was painted in my head just wasn't realistic! There's so much pressure from society and from ourselves to look a certain way post baby, but for many that's not the case, and that's ok! I posted that photo because I wish someone had posted a photo just like mine when I was pregnant. I wish that someone had told me what realistically might happen to my body and to my mind. The fourth trimester is such a taboo topic. I want other mums also walking in my shoes to know that they're not alone. That whatever their postpartum journey may be, it's ok, it's normal and it should always be priaised! I did it for me, for you and for her!

A post shared by Formerly eliseraquel (@raisingyoungloves) on Oct 1, 2017 at 7:29pm PDT

After receiving attention on social media for her pictures, Grossman took to Instagram again to promote self-love among new mummies and to explain why she shared such an personal picture: 

"When I was pregnant with Peyton, I really had no idea what post birth was really like, and you don't fully understand until you actually have a baby! I was one of the first of my friends to get pregnant, so I didn't have that support group to ask all those TMI questions about pregnancy and birth… No one told me the reality of the fourth trimester. I had no idea you could still look so pregnant even after giving birth. Everyone told me I was young, I would bounce straight back, and I believed them."

 

Boobin all day every day

Grossman then goes on to address the pressure put on new mums to "bounce back" after childbirth by celebrities, society and ourselves: 

"Just like many women do, I too used to look up to the media, celebrities who would show off their supermodel like post baby bodies just weeks after giving birth! I thought that's how it would be for me too. So when I went home from hospital four days after giving birth, still looking six months pregnant, I thought I must have done something wrong… because for many women, and for me, this post baby picture that was painted in my head just wasn't realistic! There's so much pressure from society and from ourselves to look a certain way post baby, but for many that's not the case, and that's okay!" 

According to Grossman; "The fourth trimester is such a taboo topic". She shared the photos to show other new mothers that "they're not alone. That whatever their postpartum journey may be, it's OK, it's normal and it should always be praised! I did it for me, for you and for her!

The posts have been garnering many messages of praise, as mothers share their stories of similar postpartum struggles: 

"I have a photo of my post birth body – also taken a few hours after giving birth to my daughter – just to cherish it and be proud of what my body has done." 

"When I first gave birth (10 years ago), I would have needed women like you sooooooo badly. You are very brave to share those pictures, and I am sure, countless people will be thankful for your posts." 

"I love this photo so much. My third baby is almost three, and of course I still have areas of my body I want to cover up. You are right about embracing the beauty in the miracle and gift of a baby. All the things your body does should be seen as a wonder. Thanks for sharing." 

It's refreshing to see a new mum tackle the pressures put on new mums so honestly. It truly shows how important it is to be kind to ourselves and our bodies.