Birth Vlogs and Post-baby photos on social media.
Social media has a great influence on most of the world, including view points and perceptions of what birth and postpartum recovery looks like.
I've had a great interest in pregnancy, birth and motherhood for a long time (naturally, discovering the Doula profession some time later) and so, I have followed many new moms who share their pregnancy/birth and postpartum experience through social. Along with sharing some of the real stories and experiences of birth and postpartum that have inspired me, I wanted to share some things to remember about birth and the media.
Many times, its easy to find perfect pictures of new moms with their newborn babies, looking put together, 'no baby weight' and looking happy and relaxed. But the reality is (most of the time), these photos took much energy and time to create and post. No one has everything together after having a baby. It's always a new experience and there is a lot going on behind the scenes of a new addition to the family. There's a lot of learning, growth and adjustments when welcoming a new baby, for mom and the whole family. Just be kind to yourself, and remember this affirmation "I don't need to compare myself or my life to someone else's, I am enough and I am grateful for the experiences I'm having."
On the other hand, nowadays many people are sharing real and authentic pictures and stories that show the realities of what having a baby is truly like. Some of these experiences can be difficult, smooth or in between, each person and each baby is different. I feel it's a brave thing to speak out and to share your birth experiences with others. In sharing these real stories, many women are able to connect, learn, grow and feel more compassionate for the amazing things our bodies are capable of. For me, knowing and learning through other women and their stories, has helped me understand, learn and overcome any personal fears or anxieties that I might have had. These resources have answered many of my questions and helped me see the true emotional, mental and physical changes and stories in a comfortable way.
Being able to have these resources can be a great thing whether you are on a pregnancy journey or not, there is a lot that you can learn and feel through these stories. It can create a sense of community and may help you relate to others through your own journey or by knowing how to support someone who is going through something similar. In growing your awareness of different birth and postpartum experiences, it can be an opportunity to help you form a birth plan, embrace your own birth story or remember that there are positive stories and experiences of birth, even if they don't always go to plan.
I've created a playlist on Youtube to share videos that I've found to be authentic, and helpful. These videos have helped me learn more about birth and postpartum, and I hope that you will enjoy them as well!
Influencers, Youtubers and Celebs Who Share
Here are a few other sources that share their pregnancy/birth/postpartum journey's
- Daniella Monet (Instagram, Youtube, Podcast-adultinglikeamf)
- Alexa PenaVega (Instagram, Youtube)
- Your Zen Mama- Teresa Palmer & Sarah Wright Olsen
(Instagram, Website/Blog, Book)
- Ashley Tisdale (Instagram, Website/Blog-Frenshe, Tip: search under baby)
Energy Hug!
Claira
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