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I Realize That I’ll Never Look Like A Model After Giving Birth, So I Recreated Victoria’s Secret Photos With A Touch Of Motherhood
Like most women, I gained a lot of weight during pregnancy. To be honest, I wasn’t sad or depressed about my postpartum body as I was (and I still am) overwhelmed with the joy of being a mom and love for our daughter.
However, a few weeks after giving birth, I met a guy who I used to know from the university. His first words to me were: “Whoa, you gained a lot of weight! Do something about it, so you are attractive again.”
After coming home, I spent a while looking into the mirror, evaluating my postpartum belly, and suddenly, I was feeling very unattractive. I was comparing myself to all the skinny girls out there (although I was never considered skinny even before pregnancy) and it did nothing good for my self-esteem.
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I also realized the body positivity is something you don’t hear about a lot – at least in my country. In my country, the popular opinion is that “postpartum body or, basically, any not-model-like body is something that makes you very unattractive, so you shouldn’t show it until you are back in shape again – and get back in shape as fast as you can, it cannot be that hard.”
Even in my surroundings, there are quite a lot of women who are trying their hardest to look like those skinny models; they don’t eat properly, they are stressed a lot – all because they want to be attractive based on “photo model look” beauty standards.
I decided to take photos of myself to overcome the negative feelings I suddenly had about my postpartum body and also to show others there is nothing to be ashamed of. I also decided to give them a “motherhood touch.” However, after checking my own photos, my first thought was: “Gosh, I am fat, I have to do some post-editing to make myself look skinnier, to make my skin look smoother, I have to retouch the dark circles under my eyes, I have to erase the second chin, etc.”. Yup, the beauty standards affected me that much.
Then I remembered the real purpose of this photo-shoot idea, and I didn’t edit my body at all. I will never look like a model, and I know it. I like myself, and I like my body – my daughter was growing in it for nine months, so for my partner, and for me, it is the most amazing body in the world.
It is ok to look however you want – as long as you are healthy and happy with yourself. You are beautiful exactly the way you are. Just stop comparing yourself to others. It is incredibly hard, but once you can manage it, you will suddenly feel happy and free.
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Withnail 6 years ago
"...my daughter was growing in it for nine months, so for me and for my partner it is the most amazing body in the world actually." I could not have said it any better. Well done for accepting your body. From a father to a mother ❤
Vic 6 years ago
Well said, each of these images show a different struggle of motherhood.
Load More Replies...
Stephanie Bladyak 6 years ago
Why am I not surprised all these negative comments are from men, you are all so disappointing. For someone who just had a baby she looks good!
MonsterMash 6 years ago
Society has colonized our bodies and minds to make us in a constant state of apology for just being. You’re freaking gorgeous !!!
Kamryn McNamara 6 years ago
More people should be like you! She's prettier than the model, in my opinion!
Load More Replies... Mathias 6 years ago
I quite dislike all those people/posts who on intention make bad looking photos. What about showing how good you can look after pregnancy? The Models don't look good only because of their body and editing but because of a good light setup, good posing and mental strength. So instead of doing such "look how ugly you get / are in reality" series what about putting in some effort, try to be pleased with yourself show the beauty of having a baby, put some effort into posing accordingly and a bit better light job and suddenly the pictures will be joyful to watch. Not even makeup is required and the hair can look messy too, nobody cares as long as there is a true smile on the face and shiny eyes and the photographer manages to put the focus of the picture on that smile and eyes that is real beauty! Be positive about yourself!
Anna Repp 6 years ago
True smile on the face and shiny eyes after nursing the baby and lacking sleep and being exhausted and probably in pain? You got to be kidding me!
Load More Replies...
Sissy Hankshaw 6 years ago
I think you just look like a normal woman, the models look like my forteen year old daughter. This society is surely kind of pedophilic
Kamryn McNamara 6 years ago
I love this. Everyone wants to look younger but this woman has so much confidence that it's inspiring. She's absolutely gorgeous, but the model is trying too hard, and it's revolting.
Load More Replies...
Michał Jastrzębski 6 years ago
Author should also realise that 90% of those celebrity photos looks, is photoshop, not that celebrity.
anisub 6 years ago
i'm sorry but i hate that kind of thing.. first of all nobody said you have to look like a victorias secret model right after birth and second of all do these models work really hard for their body and so can you if you really want to look like them. But i guess you don't even want to so what's exactly the point?
Maurissa Hunter 6 years ago
It isn't a matter of working really hard after child birth for most women....When a woman gives birth most have an overall widening of the hips, ribs and pelvis. So postpartum, it would be logistically impossible to go back to a size 2. Also, for many the hormones don't just shift back overnight. So simply giving birth and working out (or being able to work out - some women break their tailbone and can hardly walk after) isn't as easy as 1-2-3. Certain surgeries or medical conditions can also make "working out" for the first year exceptionally dangerous. So I dont think it is fair for you to say "so can you if you really want to look like them. But I guess you don't even want to"
Load More Replies...
pusheen buttercup 6 years ago
There are a lot of photos of women with "amazing post pregnancy bodies" that look very toned and thin- I don't understand how or why they accomplished that. Is it genetics? Hard work? What sort of strange gene is this, if genetics, and if hard work... Why put hard work into that, isn't the baby already hard work? I'm very confused.
Gracie Mae 6 years ago
i LOVE this woman & her photo shoots! always a hit with me & look forward to them all
Kamryn McNamara 6 years ago
She's so beautiful, in fact I think she looks more beautiful than the model! Models have to try so hard and wear makeup and get airbrushed abs and have their hair done and this mother did it fantastically, she looks so natural and human and it for some reason created this "home" vibe for me, and I think she'll be a beautiful mother.
anarkzie 6 years ago
I of course will never know what pressure women feel they are under to look a certain way, but I cannot be the only one who thinks that the expectations of a woman who has just had a child to look good are very low, whenever I've been to visit a friend or someone who has just become a new mother, I and most other people are mostly interested in the child(not in a pedo way) and how he/she is doing, I think I just mostly see them as a mum from that point which is I'm guessing is some kind of biological thing.
Lisa J 6 years ago
But those are professional photos of models by a professional photographer. Also most of these models do work hard for that type of body. With exercise, toning, nutrition and abstaining from food before a shoot/show. There is not really any need to shame the models for what they worked for, well except the ones who are only employed because of their last name. Also, Lais Ribeiro, who is a Victoria Secret model doesn't have her stretch marks edited out. People love it. And there are tons of VS models with kids working in the industry. This whole post is ridiculous, don't compare yourself to them. Just be happy with yourself, most people realize photos are heavily photoshopped and edited.
Michał Jastrzębski 6 years ago
meh. most celebrities bodies are actually not that great. But they get edited A DAMNED LOT on those photos - up to and including moving pieces of face / body parts around, not just editing the skin. The woman behind the photo is often totally gone once the touch-up is complete.
Load More Replies...
DforDorothy 6 years ago
My personal opinion is that it is important to accept yourself, stop drawing comparisons between you and some photoshopped girls, BUT saying "I KNOW I will never be " this or that, definitely will NOT get you there! Also, this whole new fashion of men and women "accepting" themselves is just starting to head into the way, where people don't give a sh*t about their looks, saying "this is me", whereas they are just lazy. If you love yourself, and you are chubby, you should NOT mind or feel bad if someone calls you that, or even fat. Otherwise I would question your "real acceptance". Repeat : my personal view on this!
Maurissa Hunter 6 years ago
When a woman gives birth, many (especially if they were smaller before) have an overall, and substantial, widening of the hips, ribs and pelvis. Also, for many women, the hormones don't just shift back overnight. So simply giving birth and working out (or being able to work out - some women break their tailbone and can hardly walk after) isn't as easy as 1-2-3. Either you have never given birth, or if you have you have won the genetic lottery so that somehow your body doesn't do what 90% of other women's bodies do. It isn't lazy, it is biology. So how about instead of putting her down say nothing. So much better.
Load More Replies...
Meowton Mewsk 6 years ago
If the point is to remind people that this is also beautiful then why go out of your way to look disheveled and slouchy? Brushing your hair and sitting up straight can do wonders, even for someone who is tired or has a belly. Things like this scare mothers-to-be into thinking that she’s going to go downhill hard, and that’s not fair to do to someone who is vulnerable.
Stephanie Bladyak 6 years ago
She is posed exactly like the models and being tired, not having time to primp and preen those are the realities of being a new mom.
Load More Replies...
Anna Dekiert 6 years ago
It's not like you cannot lose weight after having a child, so her argument is invalid.
Esmeralda Ureta 6 years ago
Ok we get it, "you're not perfect" you ain't cute, you ain't funny, just post ur pic and go.
Kaustubh Ghare 6 years ago
Does she have any idea how hot she is!? Even hotter than the models!
Stephanie Bladyak 6 years ago
Because you can't take pictures and be a good mom at the same time?
Load More Replies...
Withnail 6 years ago
"...my daughter was growing in it for nine months, so for me and for my partner it is the most amazing body in the world actually." I could not have said it any better. Well done for accepting your body. From a father to a mother ❤
Vic 6 years ago
Well said, each of these images show a different struggle of motherhood.
Load More Replies... Stephanie Bladyak 6 years ago
Why am I not surprised all these negative comments are from men, you are all so disappointing. For someone who just had a baby she looks good!
MonsterMash 6 years ago
Society has colonized our bodies and minds to make us in a constant state of apology for just being. You’re freaking gorgeous !!!
Kamryn McNamara 6 years ago
More people should be like you! She's prettier than the model, in my opinion!
Load More Replies... Mathias 6 years ago
I quite dislike all those people/posts who on intention make bad looking photos. What about showing how good you can look after pregnancy? The Models don't look good only because of their body and editing but because of a good light setup, good posing and mental strength. So instead of doing such "look how ugly you get / are in reality" series what about putting in some effort, try to be pleased with yourself show the beauty of having a baby, put some effort into posing accordingly and a bit better light job and suddenly the pictures will be joyful to watch. Not even makeup is required and the hair can look messy too, nobody cares as long as there is a true smile on the face and shiny eyes and the photographer manages to put the focus of the picture on that smile and eyes that is real beauty! Be positive about yourself!
Anna Repp 6 years ago
True smile on the face and shiny eyes after nursing the baby and lacking sleep and being exhausted and probably in pain? You got to be kidding me!
Load More Replies... Sissy Hankshaw 6 years ago
I think you just look like a normal woman, the models look like my forteen year old daughter. This society is surely kind of pedophilic
Kamryn McNamara 6 years ago
I love this. Everyone wants to look younger but this woman has so much confidence that it's inspiring. She's absolutely gorgeous, but the model is trying too hard, and it's revolting.
Load More Replies... Michał Jastrzębski 6 years ago
Author should also realise that 90% of those celebrity photos looks, is photoshop, not that celebrity.
anisub 6 years ago
i'm sorry but i hate that kind of thing.. first of all nobody said you have to look like a victorias secret model right after birth and second of all do these models work really hard for their body and so can you if you really want to look like them. But i guess you don't even want to so what's exactly the point?
Maurissa Hunter 6 years ago
It isn't a matter of working really hard after child birth for most women....When a woman gives birth most have an overall widening of the hips, ribs and pelvis. So postpartum, it would be logistically impossible to go back to a size 2. Also, for many the hormones don't just shift back overnight. So simply giving birth and working out (or being able to work out - some women break their tailbone and can hardly walk after) isn't as easy as 1-2-3. Certain surgeries or medical conditions can also make "working out" for the first year exceptionally dangerous. So I dont think it is fair for you to say "so can you if you really want to look like them. But I guess you don't even want to"
Load More Replies... pusheen buttercup 6 years ago
There are a lot of photos of women with "amazing post pregnancy bodies" that look very toned and thin- I don't understand how or why they accomplished that. Is it genetics? Hard work? What sort of strange gene is this, if genetics, and if hard work... Why put hard work into that, isn't the baby already hard work? I'm very confused.
Gracie Mae 6 years ago
i LOVE this woman & her photo shoots! always a hit with me & look forward to them all
Kamryn McNamara 6 years ago
She's so beautiful, in fact I think she looks more beautiful than the model! Models have to try so hard and wear makeup and get airbrushed abs and have their hair done and this mother did it fantastically, she looks so natural and human and it for some reason created this "home" vibe for me, and I think she'll be a beautiful mother.
anarkzie 6 years ago
I of course will never know what pressure women feel they are under to look a certain way, but I cannot be the only one who thinks that the expectations of a woman who has just had a child to look good are very low, whenever I've been to visit a friend or someone who has just become a new mother, I and most other people are mostly interested in the child(not in a pedo way) and how he/she is doing, I think I just mostly see them as a mum from that point which is I'm guessing is some kind of biological thing.
Lisa J 6 years ago
But those are professional photos of models by a professional photographer. Also most of these models do work hard for that type of body. With exercise, toning, nutrition and abstaining from food before a shoot/show. There is not really any need to shame the models for what they worked for, well except the ones who are only employed because of their last name. Also, Lais Ribeiro, who is a Victoria Secret model doesn't have her stretch marks edited out. People love it. And there are tons of VS models with kids working in the industry. This whole post is ridiculous, don't compare yourself to them. Just be happy with yourself, most people realize photos are heavily photoshopped and edited.
Michał Jastrzębski 6 years ago
meh. most celebrities bodies are actually not that great. But they get edited A DAMNED LOT on those photos - up to and including moving pieces of face / body parts around, not just editing the skin. The woman behind the photo is often totally gone once the touch-up is complete.
Load More Replies... DforDorothy 6 years ago
My personal opinion is that it is important to accept yourself, stop drawing comparisons between you and some photoshopped girls, BUT saying "I KNOW I will never be " this or that, definitely will NOT get you there! Also, this whole new fashion of men and women "accepting" themselves is just starting to head into the way, where people don't give a sh*t about their looks, saying "this is me", whereas they are just lazy. If you love yourself, and you are chubby, you should NOT mind or feel bad if someone calls you that, or even fat. Otherwise I would question your "real acceptance". Repeat : my personal view on this!
Maurissa Hunter 6 years ago
When a woman gives birth, many (especially if they were smaller before) have an overall, and substantial, widening of the hips, ribs and pelvis. Also, for many women, the hormones don't just shift back overnight. So simply giving birth and working out (or being able to work out - some women break their tailbone and can hardly walk after) isn't as easy as 1-2-3. Either you have never given birth, or if you have you have won the genetic lottery so that somehow your body doesn't do what 90% of other women's bodies do. It isn't lazy, it is biology. So how about instead of putting her down say nothing. So much better.
Load More Replies... Meowton Mewsk 6 years ago
If the point is to remind people that this is also beautiful then why go out of your way to look disheveled and slouchy? Brushing your hair and sitting up straight can do wonders, even for someone who is tired or has a belly. Things like this scare mothers-to-be into thinking that she’s going to go downhill hard, and that’s not fair to do to someone who is vulnerable.
Stephanie Bladyak 6 years ago
She is posed exactly like the models and being tired, not having time to primp and preen those are the realities of being a new mom.
Load More Replies... Anna Dekiert 6 years ago
It's not like you cannot lose weight after having a child, so her argument is invalid.
Esmeralda Ureta 6 years ago
Ok we get it, "you're not perfect" you ain't cute, you ain't funny, just post ur pic and go.
Kaustubh Ghare 6 years ago
Does she have any idea how hot she is!? Even hotter than the models!
Stephanie Bladyak 6 years ago
Because you can't take pictures and be a good mom at the same time?
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