Postpartum is defined as the period following giving birth, and it can last about six weeks. Nevertheless, a plethora of changes, from mental health to physiology, can alter someone’s life for years to come.
According to a 2023 study published in The Lancet Global Health, every year, at least 40 million women are likely to experience a long-term health problem caused by childbirth.
The study further showed a high burden of postnatal conditions that persisted in the months or even years after giving birth.
These include pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), affecting more than a third (35%) of postpartum women, low back pain (32%), anal incontinence (19%), urinary incontinence (8-31%), anxiety (9-24%), depression (11-17%), perineal pain (11%), fear of childbirth or tokophobia (6-15%), and secondary infertility (11%).
While birthing people might feel isolated during the challenging postpartum period, some celebrities have brought awareness to these trying changes, candidly opening up about their postpartum bodies.
#1 Blake Lively
Blake Lively welcomed her fourth child with Ryan Reynolds in February 2023. The Gossip Girl star and Ryan are devoted parents to their children, James, Inez, Betty, and little Obi.
Taking to her Instagram page in 2021, the 36-year-old actress posted some throwbacks on her story, dating from when she had given birth to Betty.
In one of her posts, Blake spoke out about her frustration that designers don't make clothes for all bodies, especially for bodies that have just given birth, Elle reported at the time.
Alongside an image of herself from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she wrote: "I put together a @lanvinofficial shirt and dress from @netaporter to make this pretty outfit.
“Because no one had samples that fit me after giving birth.
“And so many clothes from stores didn't fit either. So. Many.”
Blake continued: “It doesn't send a great message to women when their bodies don't fit into what brands have to offer.
“It's alienating and confusing.
“And I wish I felt as confident then as I do now, a year later looking back.
“That body gave me a baby. And was producing that baby's entire food supply.
“What a beautiful miracle. But instead of feeling proud, I felt insecure.
"Simply because I didn't fit into clothes. How silly that is in retrospect."
