Mums Reveal What They Expected Their 'Mumbod' To Look Like

Mums have spoken honestly about what they believed a mother’s body would - or should - look like after giving birth.

The mums shared their different expectations as part of a three-part video series, in which five women took their tops off and discussed their own post-baby bodies.

*Maria, a mum-of-two, from Walthamstow, London, said all the mums in her family looked a certain way, with “curves, bumps and a body that tells the story”.

Maria was looking forward to her body changing, and was disheartened when it didn’t.

“I was looking forward to seeing how my body would change and how different it could be after it carried a life, and when I had my children the thing that surprised me is how much my body hasn’t changed,” she told HuffPost UK.

“I don’t feel like I fulfilled the role of the woman who looked like mothers in my family. I look like a different mother and that’s taken me a wee while to get my head around.

“I realised my identity as a mother isn’t physical.”

HuffPost

Sarah Caldwell, mum-of-two, from Milton Keynes.

Sarah Caldwell, a mum-of-two, from Milton Keynes, said people expect that a certain type of post-baby body will help them achieve happiness, but that isn’t the case.

“I think people think that if they get their pre-baby bodies back, it will indicate they are happy and they’ve got it all worked out,” she said.

“When really we should be focusing on how amazing your body is.

“The intricacy that happens during pregnancy and birth is so incredible, so why would you want to rush and get rid of that straight away?”

Listen to the five women’s stories in the video above.

With thanks to...
Sarah Caldwell (www.sarahthedoulamk.com)
Jenna Rutherford (www.odula.co.uk)
Adele Armstrong (https://europeanmummy.com)
Emily Shaw (www.instagram.com/hamishandme/)

Maria*, name has been changed.

HuffPost UK Parents is running a week-long focus on ‘Mumbod’ to empower mums and mums-to-be to feel confident about their bodies pre- and post-baby. We are launching a section on the site that focuses on all aspects of mums’ bodies and highlights the amazing things they are capable of. We’d also love to hear your stories. To have a blog hosted as part of Mumbod, email ukblogteam@huffingtonpost.com. To keep up to date with features, blogs and videos on the topic, follow the hashtag #MyMumbod.

Before You Go

Easy Ways To Soothe Your Body After Birth

Soaking In An Herbal Bath(01 of05)

Natural mamas swear by soaking in herbs to speed up the body's healing processes. Well, anything that gives you a chance to relax - if only for 15 minutes - is hugely important, especially in those early days post-birth, when hormones are going haywire and you're putting your newborn's needs ahead of your own. A quarter of a cup of Epsom salts, teamed with a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of lavender essential oil are an inviting combination to help ease muscle pain and relieve inflammation. Soaking in a warm bath is also recommended for new mums suffering from blocked ducts or mastitis as a result of breastfeeding.* (credit:stevecoleimages via Getty Images)

Cabbage Leaves For Sore Breasts(02 of05)

Breastfeeding can be wonderful. It can also be painful, tricky to master and bring with it a myriad of potential ailments that you never would have imagined (engorgement, cracked nipples, blocked ducts and mastitis, just to name a few). If breasts are feeling sore or uncomfortable - whether from engorgement as your milk comes in or because you have an infection - cold, raw cabbage leaves can be a soothing relief, as recommended by British breastfeeding organisation La Leche**.

Just keep a cabbage or two in the freezer for when you need them. Bonus: you can wear the leaves hidden inside your bra all day. Unfortunately, you will smell like a rotten salad - but it's a small price to pay for the relief you'll feel. Use only until swelling goes down as long-term use may reduce milk supply. (credit:chengyuzheng via Getty Images)

Sipping Camomile Tea(03 of05)

Camomile tea is known for its calming, anti-inflammatory properties, according to researchers, including a 2010 study published in Molecular Medicine Reports*** and it is also thought to help promote restful sleep - essential when you're in the broken newborn sleep stage and need to make the most of any ZZZs that you do catch. Another interesting use for camomile? Researchers have found that camomile tea can even help to soothe a colicky baby.**** (credit:J Shepherd via Getty Images)

Hydrating Creams To Soothe Irritated Skin(04 of05)

Hormonal fluctuations can wreak havoc on a new mother's skin - in pregnancy and beyond, according to the NHS+. Moles may darken, you can sunburn more easily and you may find that your skin is more sensitive, itchy and more easily irritated by products you comfortably used pre-baby.++

If you are one of the women suffering from eczema or dry skin who found that your condition worsened post-birth, then add a hydrating, fragrance-free cream and shower gel to your routine, like the emollients from Oilatum, including Fragrance-Free Shower Gel and Oilatum Cream, which are designed to treat dry skin conditions and rehydrate sensitive skin. (credit:Cecile Lavabre via Getty Images)

Coconut Oil For Stretch Marks(05 of05)

While there are countless creams, oils and potions claiming to 'magic' away post-birth stretch marks, take it all with a pinch of salt. While stretch marks do fade, they don't ever disappear completely.+++

However, if you're looking to minimise them, coconut oil is a favourite among Earth Mamas. Keep it around the house and it can also help to soothe sore or cracked nipples (from breastfeeding). (credit:Magone via Getty Images)