6 years ago I was working on a project for my Masters degree. I was writing and presenting about body image after-baby.

I needed photos of postpartum bellies. When I googled “postpartum belly” images I primarily found celebrity bodies.

All from sites with commentary about how these women had got their abs back in 6 weeks or less, or something of the sort.

I wanted more than abs. I still do.

Not that I have anything against seeing abs. I just wanted to see diversity of bodies represented, because THAT is the reality. Not every body after baby has abs.

Some do, some don’t. It’s fine. But, give me something more.

Bodies don’t all look the same after pregnancy. Bodies don’t all look the same before or during pregnancy.

I wanted to see more body shapes represented. This isn’t about what a “real” woman’s body looks like. It’s simply about what many different bodies look like.

So, here we go. A variety of body shapes and bellies postpartum and how these women feel about their bodies after-baby. 

1). Jeannette: capable, strong, accepting. 

2). Rebecca: happy, fit, strong. 

3). Jessica: resilient, miracle machine. 

4). Kelsey: satisfied, happy, healthy. 

5). Anne: intuitive, incredible, implausible. 

6). Lindsay: conflicted, confident, proud. 

7). Mary Jo: strong. 

8). Megan

9). Andrea: resilient, powerful, conquering. 

10). Stephanie: a little squishy. 

I’m grateful to you women for sharing. It’s important for the world to see.

Jess