The way that a baby is formed in a woman’s womb is truly a miracle. With only an egg from a mother and sperm from a father, life is created.
The fertilized egg also known as a zygote, makes its way down the fallopian tube to the uterus. Now a blastocyst, the cells begin to divide and it eventually implants itself into the uterus.
Once implanted the newly formed embryo begins to develop the major parts of the body like the heart, brain, and central nervous system. The fetus continues to develop into a baby, who in the coming months will be ready to meet her/his family!
For 9 months, a woman’s body goes through so many changes. For example, your body begins to produce more blood which is needed to carry oxygen and nutrients to your baby.
The lungs increase their capacity and begin to take in 30 to 40 percent more air with each breath. How amazing is that! God created a woman’s body with the capacity to carry, birth, and feed a baby.
Finally, after the wait, which seemed like a lifetime, the baby is born. With all the excitement and joy that comes with a newborn, other things happen as well…like changes in your body. Changes that may never go away, changes that last longer than you expect.
Despite this, how can we continue to love ourselves past those changes, past the wrinkly stomach, weight gain, bust transformation, and stretch marks?
Yes, going through pregnancy and delivery, your body will experience a metamorphosis, but I hope that you learn to love your new body and be grateful for it.
Today, I want to share with you some tips on how you can love (and adore) your postpartum body.
1. Give Yourself Time
You should be proud of yourself. You just housed and produced a living being. Wow! It took 9 months for your body to grow a baby in your womb, so you must give yourself at least 9 months for your body to heal.
Birthing a child, whether vaginally or via C-section puts a lot of stress on your body. Even if you never get your body back, always remind yourself of the life that came out of you.
2. Get Support
Surround yourself with people that will uplift, encourage and inspire you. Millions of other women have experienced what you are going through and if you are learning to love your body again, they can give you the tools you need to appreciate your body.
3. Do What Makes You Happy
Go places and do activities that bring you joy. Get your mind off of your current physical situation and think about other things. Self-care is very important, take some time to pour into your spirit and mind, whether it be praying, exercising, or doing one of your favorite hobbies.
4. Buy Clothes That Make you Feel Good
Try your best to get comfortable with the new body that you have now. Instead of trying to squeeze into your old clothes, buy yourself a few staple pieces that fit you at the size you are now.
It’s amazing how different you look when you’re wearing clothes that flatter you. It can make a major difference.
Always remember that no one is perfect, even the celebrities we see on television and in magazines have mostly like been photoshopped or airbrushed. Learn to love the body God gave you.
Motherhood is a journey with many lessons to teach, but no matter where you are in your postpartum journey, always remember the gift that you were given. A gift to cherish, take care of, and love for the rest of your life. The postpartum journey may not be easy, but I believe it is worth it!
With love, Grace
Grace Anyanwu is a Christian psalmist, minister, writer, and author of I Choose to Wait. In 2016, Grace married her love and best friend, Dr. Miracle Anyanwu. She, alongside her husband, presides over various ministries such as Miracle Anyanwu Ministries (M.A.M), I Choose to Wait Movement (I.C.W.),The Miracle Anyanwu Foundation (MAF) – a non-profit charitable organization targeted primarily for the underprivileged in Africa. Grace loves encouraging and inspiring women to live boldly for Christ and she does that through Grace Encourages. Outside of ministry, they love traveling, relaxing on the beach, writing, watching movies, bowling, and spending time with loved ones. They are blessed with four lovely children.
