http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfOBGQpG9fA&feature=youtu.be

I came across this video on reddit (warning: it is 20 minutes long) and thought it would be interesting to share, especially in light of fairly recent conversations about post-pregnancy weight loss and general dissatisfaction with post-pregnancy figures. My feelings on the video are a little mixed, only because I felt a little preached to at times about the fact that I should feel good about my body because it's like this because of my daughter, so by extension if I don't like my body I'm in some way devaluing my experience as a mother. No, the video did not say that at all, it was just my internal response which reflects more on my state of mind than on the video itself. Overall I thought it was beautiful and I appreciated the perspectives of all those women, and the reminder that while society projects one ideal of what a woman's body should look like, our bodies are diverse and capable of amazing feats.

But at the end, I am still left unhappy with my loose skin and the fact that my belly pokes out and I can easily look like I'm several months pregnant, even at my skinny prepregnancy weight. I jog and I've been working on ab exercises lately, hoping that toning up will help with the belly poking out part, but I suspect the loose skin is here to stay (and get worse with another child), and I'll be honest and say that makes me sad.

Sorry for rambling . Just wanted to share the link and see what other mamas have to say.

Ever so slightly surprised that this didn't get any responses. Video too long? Just not relevant to people?

Yes, too long. But the last one had me in tears!

I figured it would be. When I first opened the video I was like "20 minutes?! No way! I'll just watch for a minute or two..." but then I couldn't stop, lol.

I just don't have a setup where I can watch video at all... text or nothing, alas!

Really? Even at home?

nbp, thanks so much for the video! I loved it! I actually watched it on my phone while pumping breast milk at 3 AM in the morning-- I know it's crazy, but low milk supply and long story. I never thought I would feel so bad about my postpartum body-- and it just seems like a lot of people just don't understand. They're like you don't need to look cute-- you're a mom-- what?! You are so lucky that you are back to your pre-pregnancy weight-- I still have 20 pounds to go and it's so depressing I just stood up in a wedding and I had to shudder at the wedding pics-- not only my belly and all, but how pregnancy had darkened the skin on my neck folds so I looked even more portly. But then I had to remind myself that except for 1 other bridesmaid I was the only one that was a mother.

I also found myself tearing up at the last story on the video--- I look at my son and think how my beautiful son came from such a now ugly belly, but there are moments when I am in awe of what my body was able to do and what an incredible blessing that was-- there are many who can't have children and can't have them through their own bodies, so I should be more grateful.

Thanks so much for posting the video!

You have that, too, English? I could hug you right now.

Took a break from Neuro to watch it. I wish my belly looked even remotely as nice as theirs did. After four ten pound babies, I'm not sure there's any hope of that.

I worry about the judgment that comes with that extra bulge around the middle. I look around my class, and there are a handful of parents, other than that, everyone is stick thin. I worry how that extra skin of mine will be viewed on the wards- I have a choice of wearing pants two sizes smaller with a belly flap hanging over or two sizes larger which look bulky while covering up my belly as best I can.

DH is wonderful though- in a way I think he finds me more attractive now, after carrying our beautiful kids. Partially a cultural thing I expect, but makes him the best guy in the world in my eyes!

@SWtoMD: You know, I think there are good aspects as well as bad. Yes, most of us don't come off as the perfectly-coiffed gym-every-day fresh-out-of-school single-minded young scholars that many of our classmates do... but while there is judgement to not being skinny, there's also a lot of respect for just having lived more that I think both patients and older physicians really value.

I'd say: wear your achievements and life proudly, even as they play out on your physical self, and people will respect it!