Throughout her pregnancy, Ruth Lee made many preparations for the birth and recovery afterwards.
She attended birthing classes, read books, used stretch mark creams, took prenatal vitamins and even went to the gym while pregnant.
However, after a traumatic labour which culminated in a C-section, she was left suffering from postpartum depression.
Ruth felt very insecure about her scars and stretch marks and felt 'horrified' by her postpartum body.
Social media was partly responsible for this.
"I followed SO many pregnant models during my pregnancy," she admits.
"And when they photographed themselves pool-side five minutes postpartum, I thought, 'Wow! I hope that happens to me!' "
Ruth took a photo of her belly a few days after giving birth to baby Presley and was shocked by the image.
"I couldn't believe it was me", the young mum admitted.
But instead of deleting the image, she decided to share it to Instagram to help other mums struggling with inadequacy.
I'm posting this tonight with tears in my eyes. I can't help it. The pregnancy and birth of my little girl was the most amazing thing I've ever been a part of. Some people don't want kids, and I respect that. Really, I do. But for me, You see, I always have. When it finally happened though, it was so hard to fully comprehend. Pregnancy and babies, I mean that's common. It's everywhere. But when it's YOUR body and YOUR baby, it's so different. You literally feel like it's a miracle. Because, when it happens to you, it is. What brings me to Instagram tonight, is the post-baby. I followed SO many pregnant models during my pregnancy. And when they photographed themselves pool-side 5 minutes postpartum, I thought, "wow! I hope that happens to me!" I was 25 when I gave birth. I was healthy. I was young. I stayed active during my pregnancy. I took the best prenatals, went to the gym, used every kind of stretch mark prevention you could think of. I took hours of birthing classes, read every book under the sun, and studied natural childbirth my whole pregnancy. I STILL ended up with a traumatic labor, cesarean section, scars, stretch marks, and unfortunately the inability to breastfeed long term. I took this picture a few days after I gave birth, when my PPD really first reared its head into my life. I took this and actually was horrified. I couldn't believe it was me. I'm sharing it because I know in my heart that there are people out there that struggle with inadequacy. That might think they are not beautiful, that they might be ruined, less worthy, or not good enough. Yours might not actually be physical scars, but maybe, a failed relationship, a difficulty in your career, a mental struggle, money issues, or just feeling lost in life. Be kind to yourself. And know that you are not alone. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don't let social media taint your view of what is beautiful, what is REAL. And above all, know that if you are struggling, I am here. I have an open inbox or (if you actually know me) an open door. #stopcensoringmotherhood #nofilter
A post shared by Ruth Lee (@baybayruth) on
Ruth advised other mums who may be struggling with their body image to: "Be kind to yourself. And know that you are not alone.
"Don't let social media taint your view of what is beautiful, what is REAL. And above all, know that if you are struggling, I am here."
