My Postpartum Body — Real Talk

There’s no gentle way to say this — my body after birth did not “bounce back.” It changed. It softened in some places, stayed swollen in others, and carried stories in every stretch mark and line. If you’re reading this while pregnant or fresh in your postpartum days, I want to be honest: it’s a season that tests how gently you can treat yourself.

I remember standing in the shower, looking at myself for the first time alone after giving birth to Luna. I didn’t recognize my belly, my breasts, my hips. They felt like a map of all the work my body had done. And I felt so many things at once: gratitude, confusion, sadness, pride.

One thing I learned is that the “bounce back” culture is unrealistic and, honestly, harmful. My real healing started when I stopped comparing my body to what it used to be, and instead thanked it for the baby it gave me. My focus shifted to rest, good food, hydration, and forgiving myself for the days I felt down.

Another thing that helped? Surrounding myself with gentle tools and small comforts — soft nursing bras, cozy robes, eco baby items San Diego moms recommended to me when I needed practical and sustainable baby things. Every little choice reminded me that care can be simple and mindful.

If I could tell my newly postpartum self anything, it would be: Your worth isn’t measured by your jeans. Or your scale. Or your reflection. It’s measured by the love you give, the patience you learn, and the little moments when you remind yourself that softness is not weakness — it’s proof of your strength.

If you want to follow my honest motherhood journey and see more of the real tools that helped me feel at home in my new skin, sign up for my gentle newsletter here: Subscribe — I promise, no spam, just truth and soft support.