10 Real Women Brave Enough To Show Off Their Postpartum Stomach

Body image is a major postpartum issue for women of all shapes and sizes. I’ve talked before about how I personally did not love being pregnant, and part of the reason was because I felt so out of control of my body. I’ve struggled with an eating disorder in the past and feel fairly balanced about it today. But still””being forced to gain a minimum of 30 pounds (37, to be exact) ramped up my anxiety.

I also didn’t have the most realistic expectations after having a baby, thanks to celebrities like Gisele. I figured that breastfeeding would magically melt all the fat away, but it took me more than six months to get back to a comfortable weight. This is not in any way intended to be a humble brag because I know all women are different. Some women struggle with baby weight and body image for years after having a baby.

I don’t know about you, but I do believe that there is solidarity in numbers. The vast majority of us are not going to look like a supermodel the moment after popping out a kid. You’ll probably be left with a sad, floppy stomach that you will try to hide for the next year at a minimum. But it may comfort you to know that you are not alone.

Other women’s stomachs look just like yours after bringing life into the world. Other women struggle with the same baby body insecurities. Some women are brave enough to show the world exactly what their real postpartum stomach looks like as a beacon of encouragement:

1. 1 Week Postpartum.