New mum's post about 'bouncing back' postpartum is all we need
Whether it from society, social media, or even family and friends, the pressure on women to "bounce back" after having a baby can be phenomenal.
But Emily Skye, fitness blogger and new mum, is exactly the kind of person you would assume would be on the bouncing back brigade. With over two million followers on Instagram and countless fitness videos, you wouldn't be far wrong thinking that she'd be doing squats with a two week old in her arms.
However, Skye is talking back to the pressure on new mums to get their pre-baby bodies back straight away.
In a refreshingly honest Instagram, Skye addresses the enormous changes to her body since giving birth:
"I barely recognise myself in the mirror," she begins. Girl, we've all been there.
She's not holding back when it comes to describing the aches and pains of new motherhood:
"I currently live in what you could call “granny undies”, it hurts to do much with the stitches from my episiotomy, and feeding is extremely painful – I had no idea it would be this bad! My back is still really sore and when I walk around it literally feels like my insides are going to fall out."
The pregnancy fitness plan had not gone as she had hoped, but due to sickness and back pain she could barely walk around the house, never mind hop on a treadmill:
"I ended up gaining over 21kg [3 stone] during my pregnancy in fat, fluid, baby, placenta etc."
Despite friends telling her that a fit, young woman should be able to bounce back with ease, Skye has remained sceptical:
"Well that’s definitely not the case for me! It’s only 5 days after I gave birth to Mia and I look about 6 or so months pregnant."
She acknowledges that getting back to fitness will be a challenge, however ti's one that she's gladly willing to leave to one side:
"I can tell I’m going to have a LOT of hard work ahead of me to get fit and strong again which I KNOW I can do but it’s not my priority right now – spending this time with my daughter is.
Getting my “body back” can take a back seat for the time being… I’ll get there in a realistic time frame and I refuse to put pressure on myself to get there."
For the moment, Skye is just happy to spend time with her new baba:
"I feel completely content. I look at her and start crying because of the overwhelming love I have for her and I love my body SO much for growing this precious little person."
You go mama!