The Truth About...
I watched a programme that was on ITV this week which was .. "Louise Redknapp looks at the fashion to stay thin during pregnancy, the pressure on women to get back into shape quickly, and the health risks involved".
I was shocked and quiet angry by the programme. Louise Redknapp interviewed one lady who had only put on 8lbs during her pregnancy as not wanting to gain weight. Another lady 6 weeks after birth was desperate to get her pre-pregnancy body back. In America Loiuse found that a new cosmetic surgery is becoming popular called 'Mummy makeover' where ladies bodies are made to look like they did pre-children. The lady on the programme was having this done just six months after having her children. Louise herself had an underwear photo shoot 8 weeks after giving birth and wanted her body to look like it did before she got pregnant.
My body has changed since having Zak and Maisey. With Zak I was back in my pre-pregnancy clothes in two weeks, I was very lucky. I breast fed Zak for 16months and after that my boobs were saggy and a size smaller. After having Maisey I dont think I have even now got back to the size I was before I had her. My boobs are even more saggy now (I breast fed Maisey for a year), but they are the same bra size now that they were before I had children. I also have a 'baby belly', which I dont think I will ever get rid of. But I am happy, Im lucky in that I am not huge and I believe I do have an okay body. But having children does change your body!!!! I am a stone heavier than before I had children, but I eat very healthy and walk everywhere, so I dont think I could really loose weight if I wanted to.
The programme annoyed me as most of the people interviewed were not breasfeeding - did they decide to do this because it means they can crash diet more effectively? (Breasfeeding requires you to eat more calories!! but then you use them up!!!). Is it not selfish to want your body to be exactly the same after children as pre-children?? To be able to carry and deliver a child is an amazing thing, and a consequence of that might be that your body changes a bit. But why not celebrate our bodies that have produced children? I don't particulary like the look of my boobs when I am naked but with a bra on they look great with clothes - so thats all fine!!!
So there you go!!! What do others think? Lets celebrate our bodies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well said Lara! Our bodies and boobies are made for growing and nurturing our babies, and for as long as we both want. Women should not be sacrificing things just for the sake of getting their pre-pregnancy bodies back. As mothers we should be proud of what our bodies have done, and model the after effects of that with pride. Stretch marks are baby ribbons in our house, and I am particularly pleased by the post baby improvements to my chest!! Too much pressure is placed on us by celeb mums.
Go Lara Go Lara