Mom Shares Amazing Side-By-Side Photos Three Weeks After Giving Birth

It took me 4 days to decide whether or not to share this. But recently there have been moms reaching out to me based on some things I've shared, so here goes. The left pic is 3 days before I delivered Gavin (my 2nd child), the right pic is 3 weeks postpartum. 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. 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! While I won't be totally sure till 6 weeks, I have a strong feeling that I've got #diastasisrecti (separation of the abs), in which case I'm determined to get the PT I need to heal. I've also been wearing a postpartum corset for extra support. But in the meantime, I'm giving my body a chance to breathe. Did you SEE how far my belly stretched?! There is no race to bounce back moms. We'll get there!! #postpartum

A post shared by Kristen Sullivan (@krisrosulli) on Aug 20, 2017 at 5:50pm PDT

Last week, actress Nikki Reed showed off her unbelievably toned-abs just one month after giving birth. Now another mom is in the news for her post-baby body — and it’s resonating with women everywhere.

In an Instagram post published August 20, Kristen Sullivan, shared side-by-side photos. The image on the left was taken three days before the mother of two from New York welcomed her son Gavin on July 27. The one on the right was snapped at three days postpartum.

#milkdrunk. I'm much more chill this time around with breastfeeding, but it's still hard. Learned so much from my struggles the first time around, so at 8 days old we got Gavin's upper lip tie and posterior tongue tie lazered off (such a quick procedure). Both our pediatrician and the hospital nurses told us he didn't have any, but mamas instinct (and the help of @maxgreyphotog) knew better. Things are already improving! And yesterday I actually fed him while bringing my toddler to the potty, and then at the dinner table while eating. These are things I never would have attempted the first time around. #nationalbreastfeedingweek #breastfed #breastfeedingmom #normalizebreastfeeding

A post shared by Kristen Sullivan (@krisrosulli) on Aug 7, 2017 at 5:53pm PDT

“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 simple doesn’t allow you to ‘bounce back in fridge 3 weeks,”the 35-year-old continued. “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.”

Sullivan noted that she suspects she has diastasis recti, also known as abdominal separation, which can cause a woman to look pregnant for years after giving birth. But before she begins physical therapy, she’s going to give her body a chance to recover.

Oh you know, just waiting for this baby to make his appearance… Tomorrow I'll be #37weeks. As of last week, he's measuring at 7 pounds 1 oz. Had a little scare last week where my fluid was at a 7, so after strict orders to relax and hydrate, within 2 days I was back up to 10. So mamas, if you're a go go go person like me, slow down sometimes, it's OK to take care of yourself! Lil man will be with us in 3 weeks if not sooner, since they won't let me go past the due date this time due to the gestational diabetes. Shiz is getting REAL y'all! Happy 4th of July ? #babywatch

A post shared by Kristen Sullivan (@krisrosulli) on Jul 4, 2017 at 6:57pm PDT

“Did you SEE how far my belly stretched?!” Sullivan marveled. “There is no race to bounce back moms. We’ll get there!!”

Sullivan, whose sons are 3 years old and 4 weeks, has no regrets about making the side-by-side pictures public. “For new moms dealing with their hormones and all the pressures of being a new mom, they should know that they aren’t alone,” she tells Us Weekly. “I ate right and exercised throughout the majority of my pregnancy. Women need to know that sometimes you can put in all that work and still not get your pre-baby body back right away or even at all and that’s OK. Our main focus after giving birth should be to rest, recover and bond with our babies.”

#34weeks selfie from before our friends wedding last night. Probably one of the last times I get all fancy before baby boy #2 arrives! I've felt mostly good and had so much energy lately…But today the hormones were a 'ragin. I cried 3 times already (2 times were over really happy things lol), I'm exhausted yet starting to feel the nesting coming on STRONG, oh and James has decided that he's taking the "terrible twos" to a whole new level. Send help!?

A post shared by Kristen Sullivan (@krisrosulli) on Jun 17, 2017 at 6:21pm PDT

But Sullivan believes all body types should be embraced. She adds: “That includes those fabulous ladies who are lucky enough to look the way they want so soon after birth.”

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