As if dealing with periods and everyday sexism wasn't enough, women also have to contend with being shamed for the decisions they make - especially in regards to pregnancy. Now, while there is a select group of women who wax lyrical about the joys of gestation, for the majority there is little pleasure to be found in hosting a human invader. I mean, a literal parasite feeds on your life force, your body swells to unrecognisable proportions, and you can't drink wine or eat brie.
Despite this, women still face judgement about how they choose to conduct their pregnancies. In particular, those who have C-sections are criticised for choosing the "easy way out", and their experiences of childbirth are belittled for being "unnatural". One British mother, however, has made it her mission to showcase the realities of the procedure, and encourage other women to embrace their post-partum bodies.
Mother-of-twins Emily Marson took to Instagram to post a picture of her stomach four months after giving birth via Caesarean section. Marson, who hails from Wrexham, England stated that she's "beginning to embrace what [her] body has become", and urged mothers everywhere to accept their C-section scars as a testament to what they went through to create life.
"Okay, this is quite a personal post but I am now 4 months postpartum and beginning to embrace what my body has become, I’ve housed two beautiful babies for 36 weeks and breastfed for 5 weeks," Emily began.
Explaining that her pregnancy did not go to plan, she continued:
"My pregnancy wasn’t exactly an easy ride these boys wanted to come out early and I was hospitalised a few times because of dehydration and early contractions, our bodies go through a lot, a lot of change and your body is put through an enormous amount and I am so proud of myself that I carried such beautiful children and gave them food, warmth and most importantly all the love that I never thought I had."
While it can be difficult to come to terms with a scar that you will have "for the rest of your life", as Emily asserts it's "a tiny sacrifice for a lifetime of beautiful memories with [your] family."
"Your stretch marks DO NOT define you, your scar DOES NOT define you, your flab DOES NOT define you. You are incredible, you are a mother and you are the light of your babies eyes. I wanted to share this to show the reality of our bodies and that it’s okay not to be perfect because in their eyes you are exactly that."
"I wanted to share this to show the reality of our bodies and that it’s okay not to be perfect," the mother-of-two concluded.
Well, I think we can all agree that Emily's message of body positivity will be welcomed by mothers everywhere. I mean, women should be praised for the miracle of creating life, not made to feel as if their bodies are suddenly inferior because of it.
