These Celebs Got Real About Their Postpartum Bodies
After having a baby, it feels like we as women are immediately expected to accept the new reality of what our bodies look like. They have grown to make room for these small people who have been nourishing themselves and growing all from our bodies. And when we give birth, our bodies don’t really look like themselves anymore. Things are deflated, stretched out, covered in marks and discolored. Embracing your postpartum body is often a challenge, even for the most body positive mommas.
More: Pink's Reason Why She Won't Share Photos of Her Kids on Social Media Anymore
"It can be hard to accept your postpartum body, but switching your perspective on what makes up beauty can be extremely helpful. See each body part for the gift that it is to you as a mother. Those stretch marks remind you that you are a superhero and brought new life into this world. Your body may look different, but you are the most beautiful person in the world to your child," says Charise Rohm Nulsen, a health and lifestyle blogger of I Thought I Knew Mama.
We believe that because they have the money, celebrity moms are immune to the same postpartum body issues that regular moms are. But guess what? That couldn’t be any further from the truth. Here are Instagram posts from 10 celebrity mamas who get real about their postpartum bodies.
Chrissy Teigen
One of the reasons we love Chrissy Teigen is because of how open she is about her life. It’s no surprise that she approaches talking about her postpartum experiences the same way. She has talked on social media about her stretch marks and boobs. And who could forget her tweet about ripping your butthole? In this post, she is quite literally, letting it all hang out. Peep those mesh underwear!
I can confirm postpartum life is 90% better when you don't rip to your butthole. Baby boy: 1 point. Luna: 0
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) May 20, 2018
Ali Fedotowsky
The former Bachelorette shared this post in March, after giving birth to her second child. “Not only is my tummy not flat, but I have a large flap of loose skin that I don’t think it’s ever going to go away. And you know what, that’s OK,” she explains after talking about just how big her pregnancy belly was. “I earned this loose skin. I gave everything my body has to offer to bring two beautiful humans into this world! That’s not something I should feel ashamed of, that something I should feel empowered by!” she adds.
Daphne Oz
Foodie and healthy eating chef Daphne Oz has been growing her family pretty consistently over the past few years. Oz, who is currently pregnant with her fourth child, shared these thoughts seven weeks postpartum from her last pregnancy in January 2018. “There is no bounce-back, it’s all onwards and upwards,” she says. Good advice!
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff’s daughter Banks was born at the end of last year. The Younger actress hasn’t spoken out much about her body postpartum this time, but she did share this picture of herself and Banks, exposing her bare stomach. She did speak out about how she felt about her postpartum body after her first pregnancy, telling Women’s Health, “Some people bounce back and don't have to deal with that, and that's wonderful for them. But for me, it was so hard to connect with my body again once I had a baby.”
Rachel Platten
The “Fight Song” singer gave birth to her first child earlier this year. After posting a picture of herself on a rare night out, she shared this photo. She explained that the picture of her with wild hair and a breast pump was more the reality of her life. “I mostly just don’t want any other moms feeling less than because of me only sharing half the truth,” she said, adding a smiley face.
Christina Perri
In this time lapse video, singer Christina Perri showed herself fitting in some yoga while her daughter Carmella napped beside her. At 12 weeks postpartum, she was open about sharing the reality of her body. “I am happy to say I’m halfway back to my pre pregnancy weight, but i’m honestly trying not to care. My body is miraculous and even though we’re a little stiff and sore and tired, we’re doing just fine!” she wrote.
Carrie Underwood
Underwood gave birth to her second son, Jacob, earlier this year. Not long after giving birth, she went back to work, doing red carpets and preparing for her upcoming tour. That certainly put pressure on her to be physically ready. “Right now I make a promise to myself to start appreciating what my body CAN do and stop focusing on what it can’t,” she wrote, sharing a picture of her working out.
Laura Perlongo
The writer and wife of former Catfish host, Nev Schulman gave birth to the couple’s second child, a son late last year. She posted this side-by-side of her pregnant with their son and then holding him with the caption, “Got caught up, am I too late for the 10 day challenge or whatever?” By the way she is striking the same confident pose with her postpartum belly showing, safe to say, she’s feeling at least a little confident!
Pink
Pink is another celebrity who is very open about motherhood. After the birth of her son Jameson, she shared this picture of herself at the gym. “Would you believe I'm 160 pounds and 5'3"? By 'regular standards' that makes me obese. I know I'm not at my goal or anywhere near it after Baby 2 but dammit I don't feel obese. The only thing I'm feeling is myself,” she wrote, also warning women to stay away from scales.
Hilaria Baldwin
Baldwin, who is a fitness instructor and expert, shared a side-by-side of herself at nine months pregnant and 12 days postpartum. In the post, she admits that it was hard for her to stay as active as she normally does during her pregnancy, but that she was beginning to feel ready to be active again. “When you can, be patient with your body. You have been through so much and created something so precious. Know that day by day, movement by movement, you will regain your strength and feel amazing,” she says.
There is no one way to heal after having a baby. Some of us “bounce back,” while some may take more time. None of it is easy, but we have to remember to be kind to ourselves. Your body just did something amazing — allow yourself to celebrate that!
Baby on the way? Follow FamilyEducation on Pinterest for more tips, tricks, and parenting wisdom:
