Revealing Postpartum Stretch Marks: The Beauty on a Mother's Belly
The images we often see in the media are usually of women with ideal body shapes, sometimes edited with various technologies for aesthetic purposes. However, the image of a mother's body after childbirth is where we truly see real beauty.
Jade Beall, the photographer who captured postpartum stretchmarks on mothers’ bellies in this powerful photo series, wanted to reveal something many people rarely see. She stated that the postpartum body, complete with the stretchmarks it carries, is truly a beautiful thing.
Beall’s photographs show that every woman is beautiful in her own unique way, including mothers—despite having postpartum stretchmarks or loose skin after giving birth, they still possess their own form of beauty. To help restore confidence in women around the world who have been influenced by a narrow definition of beauty and made to feel insecure, she created this photo series to inspire pride in authentic, personal beauty.
Beautiful photographs capturing the bodies and stretchmarks of postpartum mothers
To all women who have the opportunity to become a “mother” and experience stretch marks after pregnancy
How to take care of yourself in the first month after giving birth
Here’s how to take care of yourself during the first month postpartum—for mothers who’ve had both cesarean and vaginal deliveries. These are essential postpartum care tips to help your uterus shrink back to its normal size and promote faster recovery.
Childbirth causes many internal changes in the body and takes time to return to normal. Normally, postpartum discharge (lochia) is red for the first 3–4 days, then turns pink, and after about 10 more days becomes light yellow. Some women may experience bleeding up to 12 weeks. A key way to help the uterus contract faster is breastfeeding, as the baby’s sucking stimulates uterine contractions, reduces swelling, and helps close off blood vessels.
Things to avoid after giving birth
If you want to recover faster, avoid the following:
1. Strenuous activities
Avoid lifting or carrying heavy objects—especially anything heavier than your baby. Avoid climbing stairs frequently and intense exercise, as these could tear both vaginal and cesarean wounds. Wait for your doctor’s approval before resuming exercise.
2. Straining during bowel movements
The muscles used for pushing during labor are the same as those used for bowel movements. Vaginal birth mothers need to be especially careful, but cesarean moms may also feel pain around the incision. Eat high-fiber foods, lots of fruits and vegetables, and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation.
3. Wearing tight clothing
Avoid tight underwear, clothing, or fitted pants, especially in hot weather, as this can cause sweating, lack of ventilation, and lead to infection—especially around the wound. Choose loose-fitting clothes for good air circulation.
4. Sexual activity
Avoid sex for at least 6 weeks after giving birth to allow wounds to heal. Sex too soon may cause pain or risk inflammation.
5. Soaking in water
Avoid baths, swimming pools, seawater, or rivers while you’re still bleeding, as you’re more prone to infections. Wait until bleeding stops or the uterus returns to normal.
How to care for yourself after vaginal delivery
Vaginal birth is a natural process where, at 9 months, the body triggers labor. Hormones from the pituitary gland cause regular contractions to push the baby down the pelvis. The amniotic sac and baby’s head press outward, widening the cervix, and a blood-tinged mucus discharge is a sign that labor has begun.
Vaginal birth consists of 3 main stages:
- Cervical dilation
- Pushing and delivery of the baby
- Delivery of the placenta
Once the baby is safely delivered, it’s time for proper postpartum care for mothers who delivered vaginally. Here’s how to care for yourself safely:
Proper postpartum care after vaginal delivery
1. Movement after delivery
Although you may feel pain in the perineal area and belly, doctors encourage light movement—using the bathroom, washing your face, brushing your teeth, and caring for your baby. Moving helps the perineal wound heal faster and does not harm the uterus. Light exercise like walking or going up/down stairs is okay, but avoid lifting heavy objects as it may affect the uterus.
2. Perineal wound care
Pain in the perineal area after a vaginal birth is normal. For severe pain, take pain relievers like Tylenol or Paracetamol every 4–6 hours. Warm compresses or warm baths can reduce swelling and pain. Anti-inflammatory medication should only be taken if prescribed by a doctor.
To clean the wound, use boiled warm water—no need for antiseptics. Pat dry with a clean towel or cotton. If the wound gets wet during a shower, it’s okay. Avoid feminine washes and never use a strong shower spray on the wound, as water pressure can reopen it and cause infection. In about 5–6 days, the wound will close naturally if cared for properly.
After urinating, rinse with clean or warm water to reduce irritation and prevent infection. When defecating, always wipe from front to back to avoid contaminating the wound and causing infection.
During postpartum, lochia will continue to seep out. Mothers should wear sanitary pads at all times and change them frequently to stay clean and reduce infection risk.
Credit content :boredpanda.com , sanook.com
Originally published on theAsianParent Thailand