There is no denying that being pregnant and giving birth changes us – on so many levels.
I, for one, know that the transition from non-mum to mum has made me more patient, more relaxed, more nervous, more excited, more scared, more fun, more caring – and so many other “more-s.”
What is also has done, is made me love my body more.
Sure being pregnant and birthing and breastfeeding two babies brought made my body change in ways – and I think I will forever more be more comfortable in a one-piece swimsuit than a bikini, but still – look what my body has made. Being pregnant means your body takes on a whole new purpose for nine whole months – and beyond. And it changes all of us, it seems.
In fact, according to a new survey by Herbal Essences for the Pregnant Women Can campaig , 65% of expectant women say they feel “more confident and comfortable” with their bodies than they did before pregnancy. What’s more, just over the majority of the 1,500 mothers (both new and experienced) polled reported they still feel more confident with their postpartum bodies than they did before motherhood.
We deserve to take a moment to let that sink in: While pregnancy can bring about stretch marks, stubborn weight gain and redistribution of curves, the amazing thing is that for the majority of mamas, it also helps them feel better in their skin than ever before.
Additional survey results shine some light on why this could be. For one, pregnancy inspired 69% of women to eat healthier. It also caused 39% of expectant mamas to get more exercise. Plus the fact that 74% of women say they have the best hair of their lives during pregnancy doesn’t hurt.
The full story, however, is that rather, it seems pregnancy can help us feel better about our bodies because it is a big reminder about just how amazing women’s bodies really are. And that when recognized for its incredible purpose rather than just for the way it looks, it’s so much easier to love our bodies—perceived imperfections and all.
