Murphy Bierbach (29), Kenneth (2) and Arlo (12 days)*
*Editors note - Arlo may or may not have been pooping in moms hand when this photo was captured.
Milwaukee, WI
How has parenthood impacted your body image?
“During my first pregnancy I experienced debilitating Hyperemesis Gravidarum. I lost around 40 lbs while I was pregnant and looked sickly the entire time. After I gave birth to my daughter I was not comfortable in my skin at all. People would compliment me all the time saying things like "Wow! It doesn't even look like you had a baby!" I spent a lot of time crying and hating my body but never felt comfortable enough to talk to anyone about it. My second pregnancy was a completely different experience and was truly healing for me. I embraced my body as it grew a second human in a 2 year span - and now at not even a month postpartum I have never loved my body more.”
What is your truth?
Ask for help. It does not make you weak or a bad mom. You can't do all the things by yourself; and that's okay.
Why did you choose to participate in this movement and share your story?
Originally, I wanted to participate as one last act of self care for myself before baby number two arrived. Baby had their own ideas though and really wanted to join Kenneth and myself at the photoshoot and arrived 3 weeks early. I wanted to participate to document this stage of motherhood. It all goes by so quickly and I want to be able to remember as much as possible when I'm 80 and sharing my birth stories and stories of motherhood with my grandchildren.”