Happy & Healthy

Call to all women who have just given birth

And immediately fit into their jeans

I don't know what it is, but everywhere I look, I see posts from women who ‘gave birth yesterday’ (this is how you give birth beautifully) and ‘suddenly’ have a flat stomach again. And while I wholeheartedly wish them that, I still have some thoughts about it.

I myself have been pregnant three times and given birth three times. Three times I gained a very average and quite respectable twelve kilos. No bizarre stories of chocolate attacks (although I did have an unhealthy craving for sandwiches with melted cheese, milkshakes, and actually anything creamy and rich) and also not bizarrely many excess kilos. But it still took me a, by the way also very average, nine months before everything was really back in order.

I also breastfed but no matter what all the breastfeeding evangelists say; I did not get slimmer from it. Yes, maybe at first, but then my body held onto a steady three kilos. Something I researched and which can also be a consequence of breastfeeding: that your body always ensures a natural reserve.

But I hear so many stories around me of women who were thinner than ever after three days that I am just happy when I see a neighbor or a friend complaining about those annoying pregnancy kilos that just won't go away. It really seems like it can't be any thicker after your delivery.

Therefore, a call to all newly delivered women who ‘suddenly’ fit into size 36. I wholeheartedly wish it for you, don't get me wrong. But do me and other less fortunate women a favor and happily look at your beautiful figure in the mirror all by yourself. But at least pretend that you put in a lot of effort for it. Just so we normal mortals feel just a little less bad about ourselves...