An Open Letter To My Postpartum Body

You’re different now

Things are squishy and soft where they used to be muscular and toned

The scar across my lower abdomen catches me by surprise when I glance in the mirror after my shower

My jeans don’t quite button, and there’s some extra skin on my belly

My back hurts in places it’s never hurt before and my shoulders and neck are constantly sore

My eyes are heavy and dark from the lack of sleep. I’m just so tired.

You’ve changed

Sometimes I feel like I don’t recognize you anymore.

Sometimes I’m not sure I feel like me anymore, or if I’ll ever feel normal again.

But those soft spots? They were my baby’s first home

That scar? It is evidence that I put my baby’s needs above my own to make sure he arrived safely and healthy

The extra skin? It stretched and grew with my baby for 9 whole months.

The aches and pains in my back and neck? Well it’s from all the time I spend looking down at this tiny little miracle while I feed him, and rock him and sing to him.

And that tiredness? That’s because this body is the only thing that brings my baby comfort in the middle of the night.

You might be different, by my life is different too. It’s better. Fuller. and every single day I’m in awe that YOU made this little creature that I love so much.

So thank you. Even if I don’t say it, I appreciate you. You are strong and resilient and I don’t give you nearly enough credit for everything you’ve done for me. For us.

You may be different, but I’m different too.

We’re different. And we’ll start this new chapter, together. I’m proud of you.

I love you.