Be Yourself After Birth
The wetness woke me in the middle of the night. My water broke. I got out of bed and started the process for preparing to leave for the hospital for my second child’s birth. I packed my belongings, made a music play list and then I took a shower, blow-dried and hot-rolled my hair.
When the news of the new royal baby emerged I scrolled through the Facebook feed of photos, enamored by the pictures of the sweet baby girl. The Duchess of Cambridge looked lovely too. But then something started happening in my news feed, moms started sharing comments and posts about how Kate Middleton looked. And that she looked well, too good.Quickly gone were the moments of applauding the Duchess and the polka dot blue dress for being relatable post-birth. Now, her choice of a floral white and yellow dress was unfathomable because as the women commented, they experienced heavy blood flows after their births so surely, the Duchess did too. Ladies, we all have different periods and different birth experiences.
Quickly gone were the moments of applauding the Duchess and the polka dot blue dress for being relatable post-birth. Now, her choice of a floral white and yellow dress was unfathomable because as the women commented, they experienced heavy blood flows after their births so surely, the Duchess did too. Ladies, we all have different periods and different birth experiences.Even the first birth of a child compared to the second is very different for each woman. But the comments continued to break her down, literally head to toe. The
Even the first birth of a child compared to the second is very different for each woman. But the comments continued to break her down, literally head to toe. The blowout, down to the shoes, women chimed in about how their experience was surely the norm and how impossible it was to have bouncing hair or feet that fit into shoes, let alone a shoe with a heel. I don’t know if the Duchess willingly wanted to go through the beauty routine, put on that dress or wear those heels, but maybe she did.I sat dumbfounded as I read the comments and reflections. I thought about why I took the time to blow-dry and
I sat dumbfounded as I read the comments and reflections. I thought about why I took the time to blow-dry and hot-roll my hair at 3.00 am before heading to the hospital. Leading up to my son’s birth, was exhausting, I felt like I was losing myself. My belly was so swollen with my 11-pound child, I could barely walk and certainly could not see my feet. The moment my water broke, I was excited about becoming a mom to my son, but I was also eager to feel like I was myself again, put on normal shoes, and wear something new. Doing my hair and wearing new clothes wasn’t for anyone else – it was just for me, it made me happy. I also knew this time around what to expect with regards to my time, and I didn’t know when I would get another chance to style my hair!
Not a single one of our birth experiences is the same; just like our babies, each and every one is beautifully unique.
Wear what comforts you, do what brings you joy, be yourself after birth. Be confident in knowing that the decisions other moms make about their lifestyle and appearance after birth have nothing to do with you. Being yourself after birth — whether it’s in comfortable yoga pants or a new dress — is your individual choice; just do what makes you happy and comfortable.
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Alice Seuffert wrote this post exclusively for BonBon Break Media, LLC.
