It's no wonder Copenhagen-based mom Maria Jorstad made international headlines for documenting her pregnancy on Instagram. The triplet mom, who gave birth a month ago, shared photos of her growing baby bump with honest commentary that her followers found fascinating and cheer-worthy. Now, she's getting real about her postpartum body, in a post on Love What Matters and her Instagram account @Triplets_of_Copenhagen.
In this final photo of her baby bump, which Jorstad shared just before giving birth, the young mom was ready for her pregnancy to be over.
"In two days we’ll finally meet our babies, and I wont have to drag around this 20 kg [40 lb.] bump anymore. " she wrote. "We are SO ready for the next chapter!"
She was over the moon to welcome her little ones: two girls and a boy named Iben, Agnes, and Filip.
But as overjoyed as she and her husband are to have their little ones home, Jorstad is struggling with her postpartum body.
“ Vent warning Day 4 and it has been quite a ride body wise," she wrote on Instagram alongside this photo on September 15. "The first two days I could barely stand up because of extreme pain in the C-section wound, but the nurses made me walk a bit anyway. If I didn’t, it would become even worse, they told me. In addition to that it has been three days with my bowels constantly twisting and turning like snakes (you wont believe the sight of it!), causing much pain. And to top it off my milk started coming in already yesterday, and has caused huge and very painful breast engorgement. My nurse actually asked if I have implants!”
This candid commentary about her postpartum experience seemed completely organic to Jorstad. "I felt it was natural to continue sharing pictures of my belly after giving birth, since I already had shared week by week pictures during my triplet pregnancy," she tells CafeMom.
And at one week postpartum, she shared this image and got candid about her post-baby belly -- and uterus.
“I now have a really weird looking hanging belly, which is still quite heavy," she shared. "My uterus has not shrinked back yet. Because my belly was so stretched it takes longer than usual. I’m gonna get a belly band/support binder asap, because it’s quite annoying and the sagging makes my C-section scar hurt. I’m really impatient to get my body back!"
Commenters showed support for Jorstad, reassuring her that she looks amazing, and it will take time, but oh, can they relate!
Jorstad tells CafeMom she's "really touched by all the support" she's gotten on her postpartum posts.
"There have been so many comments that I used several days reading through them all," she shares. "And I really want to read every single one, because they are SO sweet and supportive. People from all around the world have written the loveliest things to me, and many have expressed their gratitude towards me sharing pictures and writing about how my body feels and looks like shortly after giving birth."
She's also pleased that her posts are fueling a much-needed conversation. "This is something that is still considered a taboo, and I think it’s about time to change that!" Jorstad notes. "For me, it has been important to show an honest picture of what I’m going through — first, during the pregnancy, and now as a mom to three. And I’m really grateful for the heartwarming response from my followers."
As much as she appreciates the warm words from her followers, Jorstad admitted that she's disappointed by her progress at 4 weeks postpartum.
Sharing this photo on October 12, Jorstad noted, "I still have a weird looking hanging belly, and I am a bit surprised it has not gotten smaller since my last picture three weeks ago. Kind of disappointing I must admit, and I am not too happy to share this picture."
She then turned her attention to the pluses: "On the positive side the c-section scar doesn’t hurt anymore, and in the last two days I’ve almost felt like myself again! Except for this heavy sagging belly that is. I’ve been waiting for some belly bands that were shipped from the US several weeks ago, and they will finally arrive tomorrow. Can’t wait to try them on and see if they have any effect!" ⠀
To that, other moms could only tell Jorstad that she looks amazing -- and beyond that, is incredibly strong, capable, and "amazing."
As true as these comments are, Jorstad's battle with her postpartum body image is normal. As frustrating as it may be, her experience is surely serving as reassurance to other moms in the same boat that they're not alone.
It's also heartening to see her receiving support from other women all over the globe, who want her to know that what she's going through might be rough, but it will pass. In the meantime, she really does deserve a huge pat on the back for everything she's done and will continue do as a rock star triplet mom!
