In a heartfelt post on her Instagram, model Jenna Blake shared her candid reflections on a topic that resonates with countless mothers: the struggle to embrace a post-baby body. Known for her advocacy against body shaming and her commitment to self-acceptance, Jenna now finds herself grappling with the very challenges she often speaks about, making her all the more relatable.
Earlier this year, Jenna posted pictures to normalize breastfeeding, and now she’s back with another empowering message that addresses the realities of body changes after childbirth. She writes, “Every day feels like a new challenge as I learn to love my body after giving birth. Six months in, and my stomach sits lower, my breasts have changed shape, I’ve got new stretch marks, and some days, I barely recognize the person in the mirror.” A resounding sentiment echoed by mothers everywhere—who among us hasn’t felt like a stranger in our own skin after welcoming a new life?
Jenna continues, “I honestly didn’t see this coming. It’s tough to look at myself and feel like I’m staring at someone else, but that’s the reality some days. I thought long and hard about sharing this, but I believe it’s crucial to be transparent about the experience of motherhood, especially in a world where new moms feel pressure to ‘snap back’ into shape. I was plus-sized before pregnancy, I brought a healthy baby into the world, and guess what? I’m still plus-sized … and that’s absolutely fine.”
Yes, indeed! In a society where celebrities often seem to bounce back to their pre-baby shapes within days, it’s essential to highlight the more typical narrative: that many women take time to adjust to their new bodies. As Jenna wisely points out, this is perfectly acceptable.
“I’m not setting any New Year’s resolutions to lose weight; my goal is to embrace and nurture my new body,” she shares. “Every day, my partner reminds me how beautiful I am, but it’s not just their job to lift our spirits—we must be our own biggest supporters. So, I’ll take it one day at a time. This is a journey, not a race … and a beautiful one at that.”
As someone who didn’t feel “normal” again until my children were toddlers, I can relate deeply to Jenna’s message. I also struggled with my body after giving birth and didn’t even fit into my usual clothes by their first birthdays. At the time, I felt despondent about it, but as the years have passed, I’ve learned to treat myself with more kindness. Reading Jenna’s words, I wish I’d afforded my post-baby body the same grace she is offering hers.
Being a new mom is challenging enough without the relentless pressure to look perfect after the monumental task of carrying a child for nine months, followed by breastfeeding and postnatal recovery. We’re grateful for voices like Jenna’s that remind us our bodies deserve love, regardless of their shape or size.
For those looking for more insights on this topic, check out this article on the journey of post-baby body acceptance. And if you’re interested in at-home insemination options, consider visiting Make a Mom, a trusted retailer for at-home insemination syringe kits. Additionally, for comprehensive information about pregnancy and home insemination, Healthline serves as an excellent resource.
Summary
Jenna Blake’s recent Instagram post highlights the emotional journey of accepting a post-baby body, reinforcing the idea that it’s essential for mothers to embrace their changes with compassion and understanding. As she navigates her own experience with body acceptance, Jenna emphasizes the importance of self-love and support in the face of societal pressures.