A new mom is showing women that not everyone’s body can ‘bounce back’ right after having a baby — including her own.
Kristen Sullivan from Long Island, New York welcomed her second son, Gavin, about five weeks ago.
But unlike many actresses, supermodels, and social media influencers, she didn’t have a seemingly flat stomach right after giving birth — and she doesn’t think that is anything to be ashamed of.
On August 20, three weeks after having her second baby, Kristen took to Instagram to offer her followers a different perspective on postpartum bodies. She noted that it was hard for her to decide to be so candid, but hearing from other moms made her want to speak out.
In side-by-side images, Kristen is pictured first just three days before giving birth. She is seen wearing black shorts and a gray sports bra, and her big, pregnant tummy is on full display.
In the second image, she is seen three weeks after giving birth. But though the new mom appears to be in generally good shape, she has a very distinct, rounded belly, that someone might mistake for early on in a pregnancy.
‘I’m sharing this to show moms that sometimes it doesn’t matter if you’re thin, ate right, and exercised during pregnancy, sometimes your body grows in such a way that simply doesn’t allow you to “bounce back” in friggen 3 weeks,’ she wrote.
‘I feel like all I’ve been seeing is new moms sharing their amazing postpartum bods, 11 days after birth, 2 weeks after birth, etc. And while that’s wonderful for them, for many others, KNOW that it’s not realistic!’
What’s more, Kristen added added that she thinks she has diastasis recti, a condition in which the abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy — leaving a woman looking pregnant long after giving birth.
She won’t know until six weeks postpartum and plans to do physical therapy to heal her muscles.
‘But in the meantime, I’m giving my body a chance to breathe,’ she said. ‘Did you SEE how far my belly stretched?! There is no race to bounce back moms. We’ll get there!!’
The post has racked up thousands of likes and comments from supportive Instagrammers who praised her for her honesty and bravery.
‘You are so awesome to post this. So strong to put a vulnerable pic up on social media to help others,’ wrote one. ‘I am sure this has helped so many women. Good for you! Congrats on your new little one!’
‘Thank you for sharing this!! It makes me feel sooooo much better! I’m three months pp and I still haven’t “bounced back,”‘ wrote another. ‘I was feeling so much pressure. But I am glad I am not the only one out there!’
‘As a man all I can say is what you women do is incredible. Thank you for sharing your story,’ wrote one more.