Your Postpartum Body Isn’t Your Pre-Pregnancy Body — And That’s Okay
Pregnancy changes everything. From the moment you conceive, your body begins the incredible work of creating, nourishing, and carrying new life. It’s powerful, beautiful, and frankly miraculous. But there’s one truth that often gets lost in the rush to “bounce back”: your postpartum body isn’t your pre-pregnancy body. And it doesn’t need to be.
The pressure to “bounce back”
Our culture loves before-and-after stories, especially when it comes to bodies. Social media is full of “post-baby snapback” posts, and it can create unrealistic expectations for new parents. The reality? No matter what, your body will never be exactly the same as it was before pregnancy. Muscles stretch, hormones shift, organs move, and skin changes. These transformations aren’t flaws — they’re evidence of what your body has done.
The realities of a postpartum body
Every person’s postpartum journey looks different, but some common changes include:
Stretch marks and loose skin — signs of growth and expansion.
Shifts in weight and body composition — often fluctuating for months or years.
Changes in pelvic floor and core strength — which may require intentional recovery and support.
Breast changes — whether you breastfeed or not, your breasts may look and feel different.
These aren’t things to “fix.” They’re normal outcomes of a body that has carried and birthed a child.
Honoring what your body has done
Instead of measuring your body against a pre-pregnancy version of yourself, consider reframing the conversation:
What strength did my body show in carrying and birthing?
What new resilience or endurance have I discovered?
How can I nurture my body now, rather than punish it for changing?
Building a new relationship with your body
It’s okay (and normal) to want to feel strong, confident, and comfortable again. But the goal doesn’t need to be “getting your old body back.” Instead, it can be about building a relationship with your current body — one that respects both its history and its needs today.
That might look like gentle movement, nourishing foods, physical therapy, rest, or simply patience. Healing takes time, and self-compassion is an essential part of recovery.
You don’t have to go back
Your postpartum body is not your pre-pregnancy body. That’s not a loss, it’s a transformation. You are not who you were before, and your body reflects that journey. Rather than striving to erase the evidence, what if we honored it instead?
Your body tells the story of where you’ve been. And that story is worth celebrating.
💡At Morrow Therapeutics, I support individuals in navigating the physical and emotional shifts of postpartum life. Together, we can work on building self-compassion, managing expectations, and creating space for healing so you can feel more grounded in the body you have today.