This is What Postpartum Looks Like

This is what postpartum looks like.

It’s not the matching robe and swaddle blanket pictures that you may see, that’s for sure.

It’s painful.

It’s disgusting (let’s be honest).

It’s uncomfortable and we struggle to figure out what this new body is.

It’s exhausting–trying to heal and care for a newborn. 

It’s stretched, flabby skin and/or stitches across her tummy.

It’s being ripped apart, somehow surviving, and being put back together again . . . and then having a baby attached to your breast immediately after. 

And you know what? There is no “bouncing back” after it.

Sure, my figure might get a little slimmer but my hips will always be wider now. My body has gone through intense physical and mental changes. The scars are there. There is no coming back from that. 

I’ve endured the pains of labor to become a mama (three times now), and my body will forever be changed. 

And that’s okay . . . 

This body is a temple for God’s Holy Spirit. He’s guiding me through motherhood. He’s gifted me with all I need to be the mama that these kids need me to be. 

This body may never be the same, but neither will I. Because I’ve now found that I need Him now more than ever. Motherhood is hard, but God is in the business of helping me through all the hard, and yet, holy moments of life.

My body has gone through it all, but it’s given birth to three precious babies. 

So when I start looking at the world’s definition of “bouncing back” postpartum, I’m reminded that I’m made in His image. 

And He’s picked me to be their mama.