'I have tears' Mum's post about her c-section is eye-opening
25-year-old Ruth Lee welcomed her first child, Presley, last November. And, like most of us, went into the labour ward expecting to give birth to her daughter without any complications.
However, after enduring a 19-hour labour that left her "in more physical and mental pain than I had ever been in my life", doctors decided that a caesarean section was needed.
Thankfully, while Ruth was forced to stay in hospital for four days, her baby was born fit and healthy, and the blogger has taken to Instagram to share her experience of a caesarean.
Under a picture of her stomach covered in a bandage, the new mum sent an extremely eye-opening message to not just mums, but to women in general, and it inspirational.
Here's what she wrote:
I'm posting this tonight with tears in my eyes. I can't help it.
The pregnancy and birth of my little girl was the most amazing thing I've ever been a part of.
Some people don't want kids, and I respect that. Really, I do.
But for me, You see, I always have.
When it finally happened though, it was so hard to fully comprehend. Pregnancy and babies, I mean that's common. It's everywhere.
But when it's YOUR body and YOUR baby, it's so different. You literally feel like it's a miracle. Because, when it happens to you, it is.
What brings me to Instagram tonight, is the post-baby. I followed SO many pregnant models during my pregnancy.
And when they photographed themselves pool-side 5 minutes postpartum, I thought, "wow! I hope that happens to me!"
I was 25 when I gave birth. I was healthy. I was young. I stayed active during my pregnancy. I took the best prenatals, went to the gym, used every kind of stretch mark prevention you could think of.
I took hours of birthing classes, read every book under the sun, and studied natural childbirth my whole pregnancy.
I STILL ended up with a traumatic labor, cesarean section, scars, stretch marks, and unfortunately the inability to breastfeed long term.
I took this picture a few days after I gave birth, when my PPD really first reared its head into my life. I took this and actually was horrified.
I couldn't believe it was me. I'm sharing it because I know in my heart that there are people out there that struggle with inadequacy.
That might think they are not beautiful, that they might be ruined, less worthy, or not good enough.
Yours might not actually be physical scars, but maybe, a failed relationship, a difficulty in your career, a mental struggle, money issues, or just feeling lost in life.
Be kind to yourself. And know that you are not alone. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don't let social media taint your view of what is beautiful, what is REAL.
And above all, know that if you are struggling, I am here.
I have an open inbox or (if you actually know me) an open door.
Unsurprisingly, her post has received nothing but positive feedback, with many quick to thank her for being so honest.
"You're amazing. I'm glad I ain't alone I have been through the same and felt sad coz I didn't get to have a natural birth like the others did. But I still got stretch marks and all.My girl is 4 months and I'm still doing my best to work out tho. Just happy my girl came out healthy and perfect thanks your amazing," wrote one.
Another said: "Thank you so much for sharing this. My birthing experience/ pp was very similar and I needed to hear this."