GentleCore

Well done, Popsugarfitness! Great advice from my favourite YouTube fitness channel https://www.popsugar.com//How-Lose-Postpartum-Belly-Fa/amp

This is why we kegel When you do a proper kegel you also engage your transverse abdominal muscles - the corset of muscles that wraps around your core and gives you an hour glass shape. Having strong transverse muscles saves your back from chronic pain and is a huge factor in healing diastasis recti - your mummy tummy

It's true! You know how I know? I've seen a lot of bodies in a lot of different states - old, young, pregnant, postpartum, strong, frail, big, small... I've seen and felt a lot of rolls, wrinkles, cellulite and loose skin on the hardest and softest of bodies. I'm willing to bet that your body is normal and beautiful, too!

It's been just over a week since Emerald's birth This experience was vastly different from two years ago when Elliott was born, and for those women struggling with the thought of a c-section, I will tell you that you CAN have a beautiful birth experience in an operating room. When I chose to have a repeat c-section I knew I needed to put measures in place to get the experience I wanted. I waited extra time just to get the phenomenal OB I met (but wasn't under the care of) ...during my last pregnancy, and he put me in touch with the team of professionals that would create the warmest welcome possible for Emerald. With the help of my OB and midwife, Emerald was birthed and placed directly on my chest and experienced delayed cord clamping. She stayed there for half an hour while my operation wrapped up, and my husband and I gushed over her full head of hair. From there, my lactation consultant met me in the recovery room where Emmie crawled up my chest and latched via baby-led breastfeeding. We stayed in hospital for three nights, worked out some feeding kinks and have been settling in nicely at home. My recovery for this c-section has been smoother than the first time around, as my body isn't exhausted from labour and I have a way better understanding of what to expect. While I'm not looking forward to my first few weeks of self massage on my scar (), it's healing quiet nicely and there's minimal pain. I hope this helps the mamas who might be worried about a cold and sterile c-section birth experience. Advocate for yourself and find the people who can help bring your birth wishes to fruition. It can 100% be a positive experience with the right team and mind frame from everyone involved. Happy one week birthday, Emmie! tldr: a crunchy/granola/beautiful/positive/fulfilling birth experience is possible for a #csection

#motherroasting in full force today Elliott is with his grandparents and I have been firmly planted on the couch with nothing but Netflix on the TV and little Emmie Rose on my chest. I'm using the Bellies Inc Ab System again to support my core for the next seven weeks, and despite feeling near normal post-op, I'm keeping at a slow pace. African peanut stew for dinner tonight! #freezermeal success!