Connie (67 - she/her), Laura (32 - she/her) , Jack (7), Josephine (3.5), and Joshua (2 weeks)
Anchorage, Alaska | Minneapolis, MN
Connie shares -
How has parenthood impacted your body image?
It had a very positive impact - I loved being pregnant. It somehow takes away all flaws. Parenthood is the best growth period of your life. Discovery and joy come to mind.
What was your postpartum experience?
My experience was joy and love and healing. I felt in control of my body.
Why did you choose to participate in this movement and share your story?
My daughter asked me to join her and my grandchildren. We are always trying to help each other find the joy in our bodies and model love and self-acceptance for my grandchildren. The best thing we can do for them is teach them to love themselves unconditionally.
Laura shares -
“I had two miscarriages, before my first and second children. The first was with a traditional OB practice and the second was with the same homebirth midwife who guided me through my first child's pregnancy. I can't describe how amazing it was to have a supportive provider to walk through the awful experience with me.
How has parenthood impacted your body image?
Parenthood has made me love myself and my body more than I would have thought possible. It has also given me external motivation to be positive - I absolutely do not want my children to ever see the adults that love them putting themselves down. Modeling a positive body image has been the main way I have grown to love my curves, squishy places, and stretch marks.
What was your postpartum experience?
Carrying 5 children and birthing and nursing 3 has proven to me how phenomenal bodies are, and my body in particular. I love being pregnant because the only part of my body that I consistently have a hard time with is my non-flat stomach. When pregnant, I am able to wear form fitting clothes that I'm not otherwise comfortable in, and to be proud of my round shape. I'm probably done having kids, and now is the time when I will continue to work on loving my shape and being proud of the evidence that I carried these precious beings inside my body. I hope one day to no longer think about my stomach and wish it were a little flatter, and instead marvel in my body's power without reservation.
What is your truth?
No parent is great at parenting in the moment - it's when we look back after a few years that we are able to see the results of our hard work at shaping new human beings. Be incredibly kind and gentle to yourself during pregnancy and for several years afterward, and do not compare yourself to other parents but only to your former self. Every hard day helps us get a tiny bit better at this job, and if you're worried about how well you're doing, it probably means you're doing great.
Why did you choose to participate in this movement and share your story?
I wanted to participate because I aspire to the confidence I see in the faces of those photographed. I also wanted to take the opportunity to get to know my 2-week-postpartum body in a way the recognizes its beauty and power, and to share that with other families.