Pottering away through my pregnancy, I'm learning lots. I think it's impossible not to, but I do think it's important to take note and pay attention to all of the little things happening.
My body is changing.
It's lovely and terrifying.
Sometimes I wonder if some things are normal and if all other pregnant ladies are going through the same things.
But as they say:
'All pregnancies are different'
The changes that my body is making and going through is its own little way of dealing with the growth of a little life inside me.
I trust my body to do what it needs to, to get this little life safely into my arms.
But there is something that I wanted to mention that I have only recently become aware of myself
~ The Post Bump Body ~
It might turn out that you all know about it, and I've just been skipping along with my head in the sand... but I came across an article on the BBC website about the body after pregnancy.
I know that you would have to do a bit of exercise to get your 'normal' body shape back, but reading this article really opened up all of the changes that will stay after you've had a baby.
I'm not the most body conscious person in the world.
I've never been slim, I like chocolate biscuits way too much, I haven't found a sport that I enjoy doing except walking, and I have all those random bumps and moles that I secretly hope every other lady has.
:)
But still, this inevitable body scaring was at first, very scary.
I didn't realise that excess skin that you wouldn't be able to shift would become a permanent part of my body. I didn't realise that the stretch marks could be so dark and large (I have small ones on my thighs from growing hips, but they've turned a beautiful silver/white colour now).
So, it appears that after I get my little bundle of joy, I will have a new body to get used to as well.
At first - scary
It's out of my control
But then, after reading through this article a couple of times, dipping in and out to re-read some things, visiting Jade Beall's website jadebeall.com/a-beautiful-body-project, and talking to a friend who has recently had a baby, I've started to feel my opinion towards it changing.
'Tiger Stripes' is what she calls her stretch marks now.
It makes me smile and hope that mine remind me of a shape or animal to nick name them by.
They're like a natural tattoo.
A souvenir of a whole 9 months creating life, and bringing life into the world.
After all, a human body having to deal with a whole new way of growing and ballooning so much to fit a baby inside it, and then giving birth to that baby and releasing it into the world, all within the space of 9 months, less than a year!
I don't blame it for having a few scars afterwards.
I've got 3 months(ish) to go and my body's already feeling quite huge.
3 more months of growing, how much bigger can I get?!
I wouldn't be surprised if my body did have a couple of scars after the big day! I think I could owe it a few marks and scars for bringing a little life into the world.
You're doing good body, you keep going!
I would be so honoured if any of you out there have any advice on a post bump body. I have a feeling it must be one of those things that you can only really understand through experience.
I'm glad that I now know about it at least and it won't be a surprise afterwards, but I think that I won't truly understand it until it's reality.
I'll keep you posted!
I will certainly look into buying Jade Beall's book when I can. Not just for me, but for my other half, and for my future child. It's important to not cover these things up I think.
'Normal' shouldn't be secret.
Please visit Jade's website
Her work is stunning!
And I would like to write a great big thank you for making accessible something that I didn't even truly think existed!
Thank you!
x
